2. Two Areas of Endorsement for Licensure
Teacher candidates are required to have their first Area of Endorsement in Reading with a minimum of 18 credit hours. Teacher candidates are also required to have a second Area of Endorsement in a content area of study with the specified number of hours required by the Mississippi Department of Education. The hours in the second Area of Endorsement will give candidates an additional Endorsement of their choosing to be added to their Mississippi Teaching Certificate. Core university courses may be counted toward Areas of Endorsement.
Endorsement Requirements for K-6 Elementary Education Teacher Candidates
All Teacher Candidates in Belhaven University’s K-6 Elementary Education Program will earn a First Endorsement in Reading (MDE Code #174), which the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) requires. The Belhaven University School of Education Reading Endorsement requires 15 credit hours, all of which are already included in the program’s plan of study.
In addition to the Reading Endorsement, MDE requires a Second Endorsement in a different subject area for K-6 Elementary Teacher Licensure. This Additional Endorsement must be in a content area outside of Elementary Education and requires 18 credit hours, typically fulfilled by completing an additional three or more courses in that subject.
In the Belhaven University School of Education:
Reading (MDE #174) is the First Endorsement for all Elementary Education majors.
The Second Endorsement is chosen by the Teacher Candidate based on interest and career goals.
Important Notes:
- Second Endorsements must consist of 18 hours in a specific content area, as required by MDE.
- By earning a Second Endorsement in a major content area, candidates may become eligible to teach in grades 7-12 in that subject.
- If a candidate has completed 18 hours in more than one subject area, they can request MDE to review their transcript for additional endorsement approvals.
- Candidates must complete both the Reading Endorsement and a Second Endorsement before the School of Education can recommend a candidate for licensure.
Once the candidate graduates and their official Belhaven transcript has been submitted to their MDE/MECCA account, the School of Education Certification Officer will:
- Recommend the candidate for the K-6 Elementary Teacher License
- Recommend the Reading as the First Endorsement
- Recommend the Second Endorsement if 18 or more hours have been earned in an approved subject area
Guidance for Choosing a Second Endorsement:
Candidates should visit the MDE website to review the list of approved endorsement areas and verify that their 18 credit hours meet the requirements.
The candidate’s academic advisor will also assist the candidate in selecting the appropriate Second Endorsement.
Degree Total: 124 hours
(hours vary depending on the credit hours needed for the Candidate’s Second Licensure Endorsement)
*Transfer Students should refer to degree requirements and receive individual advisement from the School of Education.