As Mississippi continues to face an eye-popping teacher shortage, Belhaven University is looking to bridge the gap through an online program aimed at placing qualified educators in the classroom.
The private, Christian college located in Jackson is launching a fully online K-6 elementary teacher education preparation program that leads to a Mississippi educator’s license. This new option gives future teachers across the state a flexible, high-quality path to the classroom, without the need to attend on-campus classes.
A 2024 report from the Mississippi Department of Education indicates that efforts to reduce vacancies in the classroom have not borne fruit. Instead, the data suggests there are nearly 3,000 teacher vacancies in public schools statewide. Belhaven’s new online program mirrors the university’s traditional on-campus offerings and includes strong academic support and local field experience opportunities for prospective educators.
“Our goal is to remove barriers for individuals who feel called to teach but need a more accessible path,” said Dr. David Hand, Belhaven University’s Dean of the School of Education. “We are confident that this innovative online Teacher Preparation Program will play a vital role in addressing Mississippi’s elementary teacher shortage. It also opens the door for individuals who are unable to attend a traditional campus-based program.”
Belhaven’s online teacher program follows a new partnership with the state’s community colleges, and the increasing demand for flexible, remote teacher preparation options among prospective educators across the state. Beyond traditional teaching roles, the new degree also provides a strong foundation for careers such as reading specialists, curriculum coordinators, education consultants, instructional coaches, children’s ministry, nonprofit education programs, and more.
The program is available exclusively to Mississippi residents. Belhaven will partner with local school districts, principals, and clinical educators to facilitate the required field and internship experiences in each candidate’s community.
