MSU Meridian

Introduction to the Advisors

  • Advisors Present:

    • Amy McGinn: Elementary Education Advisor for MSU Meridian
    • Marsha Curry: Advisor for Health Care Administration Majors

  • Amy emphasizes they provide assistance not just for Elementary Education but for many queries related to Mississippi State University (MSU) in general.

  • Note: Meridian Campus is located across the street from where they were speaking.

Overview of Programs Offered at MSU Meridian

  • The available undergraduate programs include:
    • Elementary Education
    • Educational Psychology
    • Health Care Administration

Office Hours and Student Interaction

  • Advisors Availability:
    • Marsha is on campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 AM - 3 PM in the library.
    • Highlights interactions with Starkville campus students and the capacity to assist them as well.

Curriculum Information for Elementary Education

  • Degree Goal:

    • Certification for teaching Kindergarten through 6th grade upon bachelor's completion.

  • Coursework Requirements:

    • Specific courses must be completed before moving into the junior and senior years (shared across Starkville and Meridian campuses).

  • Advisors will review students’ transcripts to determine which courses may be substituted for required classes.

  • Importance of Taking Foundations of Education:

    • This class substitutes one of the junior-year courses, reinforcing its value for incoming students.

Requirements for Teacher Education Program Admission

  • To become an accepted Elementary Education major, the following are necessary:
    • GPA Requirement: Overall GPA of 2.5
    • ACT Score Requirement: Minimum 21 (alternatively, 60 hours of eligible coursework with a GPA of 3.0 can replace the ACT requirement)
    • Superscore condition accepted: Higher composite score from different test dates can be averaged.
    • Background Check Requirement: Must complete a background check through the advisor (Amy).
    • Observation Hours:
    • A total of 40 hours working with elementary-aged children is mandated (can be acquired through tutoring, counseling, etc.).
    • Observation Hours for Course:
      • Students for the Foundations of Education class are required to complete 15 hours of observation.
    • Student experiences and insights from past observation hours are highlighted, including the importance of observing both preferred and unfavorable teaching examples, which aid in better understanding teaching practices.

Additional Programs and Flexibility at Meridian

  • Hybrid Learning Opportunities:

    • Live Stream Classes:
    • Classes are offered via live stream from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM twice a week, catering to students across Mississippi.
    • Online Opportunities:
    • Meridan students can also take fully online classes (asynchronous).

  • Campus Comparison: Starkville primarily offers face-to-face classes while Meridian accommodates various formats including hybrid, face-to-face, and purely online classes.

  • Tuition and Fees:

    • Tuition structures are the same across Meridian and Starkville, but online classes incur additional fees (technology fee).

  • Scholarship Opportunities Specific to Meridian:

    • More scholarship opportunities exist for Meridian students compared to Starkville due to smaller enrollment numbers.

PANTA Program Overview

  • PANTA Program Details:

    • Designed for students already employed by a public school, where observation hours can be completed at the place of employment, simplifying their overall process.
    • Students can work as teacher assistants, secretaries, coaches, etc., to fulfill the requirements.

  • Encouragement for Employment:

    • Students are encouraged to seek employment within schools to gain experience and support their application within the program.

Program Structure and Scheduling

  • Course Structure:

    • Once accepted into the teacher education program, students will complete the next four semesters comprising the core elements of their studies.

  • Taking Classes Across Semesters:

    • Students can start in either the fall or spring, continuing through fall, spring, or summer sessions to ensure timely graduation.

Secondary Education Information

  • Secondary Education Advising:
    • Noted that only offered through Starkville. Separate requirements exist for secondary degrees, including differing general education classes and background checks.
    • Relevant concentrations available include English, history, social studies, biology, chemistry.

General Education Planning and Transfers

  • Importance of Understanding Transfer Credits:
    • Misconceptions exist that all classes taken at community colleges will transfer directly to a university degree. Students must verify that specific degrees require certain prerequisite courses.
    • Recommendations to consult websites and programs to ensure alignment with future goals.

Educational Psychology as an Option

  • Educational Psychology Degree Insights:
    • Offered for those interested in applying psychological concepts within educational settings.
    • Curriculum includes flexibility and potential emphasis areas such as counseling and early childhood development.
    • The practical application of psychology to classroom situations is a focus, distinguishing it from general psychology studies.

Healthcare Administration Overview

  • Healthcare Administration Program:
    • Focused on the business side of healthcare, suitable for those interested without pursuing medical or direct patient care.
    • Curriculum involves essential aspects like medical coding, accounting, and administrative tasks.

Special Education Endorsement Options

  • Adding Special Education Endorsement:
    • Five additional classes can be pursued to add a special education certification, or the alternative option of taking the Praxis test in special education.
    • All licensed graduates will need to pass three testing components for licensure: Foundations of Reading Test, Praxis Principles of Learning Test, and Subject Assessment Praxis.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

  • Transfer Student Scholarships:

    • Scholarships structured based on overall GPA.
    • GPA 3.25 - 3.49: $2000 annually; Phi Theta Kappa members receive $2000 more.
    • GPA 3.5 - 4.00: $6000 annually; additional funds for officers.

  • Bulldog Bundle:

    • A bundle option to minimize book costs to approximately $60 per class.

Facilities and Student Experiences

  • Meridian Campus Facilities:
    • Meridian students maintain access to all MSU facilities (excluding Starkville's gym) and can receive student discounts for events, including sports.

Closing Remarks and Invitation for Questions

  • Further Discussions and Questions: Invited students to reach out with any additional inquiries, clarifying that advisors are available for assistance in navigating educational paths at MSU.