Mission

The mission of Educational Field Experience (EFE) is to structure a repertoire of professional skills and competencies that will prepare students to be educational leaders.

Welcome from the Directors

If you are interested in becoming an exceptional teacher or principal, you have discovered the right place!  The University of Southern Mississippi’s Educational Field Experience faculty and staff want to be of service to you as you complete the final stages of your undergraduate teacher education degree.  Our purpose is to prepare all candidates on the Hattiesburg and Coast campuses for a smooth transition to a successful educational career, while providing opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills and competencies needed to become effective educators.

EFE oversees all undergraduate candidates with the assistance of university supervisors and cooperating teachers during this capstone experience. Graduate interns work with a university supervisor and cooperating teacher in school districts during a one or two semester term.  Two distinct and diverse placements are made for each student that allow practical application of educational content, professional and pedagogical knowledge, skills, and dispositions.  We are particularly proud to offer a six-week international teacher candidacy placement abroad for undergraduate students.

EFE serves to be a positive liaison with local school district personnel.   Preparing district teachers to become oustanding cooperating teachers is part of our work at Southern Miss.  Teachers in the workforce may be trained by EFE during a day’s workshop or in the 3 credit graduate course, REF 680, which is offered periodically throughout the year.


We welcome your thoughts, questions, and feedback and hope to get to know you on a personal basis, so please feel free to visit us in the Speech and Hearing Building, Room 103. 

Warm regards from Southern Miss!

Drs. Anne Sylvest

Marsha Walters