Graduate Residency FAQ

The program is a pathway to initial licensure as an elementary/special education teacher for individuals with bachelor’s degrees in areas outside of education.

Applicants must have (or will have by May 2026) a bachelor’s degree in any area. In addition, they must meet one of the following criteria:

• 21 or higher on the ACT;
• Passing scores on all sections of the Praxis Core; OR
• Minimum of a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of college coursework.

• A full academic year internship in an elementary school with one of USM’s district partners. During this internship, residents gradually take on increasing classroom responsibilities.
• One-year graduate program leading to a master’s degree with online coursework that is aligned to residents’ classroom experience.
• Preparation for dual certification in Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education (Mild/Moderate, K-12).
• Support from a general education mentor teacher and special education coach through the residency.

• During the academic year, residents serve 1,200+ hours in their residency placements as members of the AmeriCorps organization. The service provided by members supports student academic growth in the residency classroom while promoting our residents’ growth as teachers.

For the 2026-27 school year, placements are available in the following districts:

• Bay St. Louis-Waveland School District

• Covington County School District

• Forrest County School District

• Harrison County School District

• Hattiesburg Public School District

• Jackson County School District

• Jefferson Davis County School District

• McComb School District

• Moss Point School District

• Pass Christian Public School District

• Simpson County School District

• South Pike School District

In some cases, individuals employed as teacher assistants in elementary classrooms of districts outside of our district partners can complete their residency in their TA classroom. Please reach out for more information. 

Yes, all coursework is completed online over the course of three semesters. In addition to the online coursework, there will be a face-to-face orientation meeting prior to the start of the residency as well as once a month professional development workshops throughout the fall. 

USM teacher residents spend 3.5 days in the classroom each week during the fall semester and 5 full days each week during the spring semester. 

You will follow the calendar of your placement district, observing start/end dates, breaks, and holidays as outlined by their academic calendar.

Residents will participate in an online orientation in late May that corresponds with the beginning of online coursework. Internship start dates depend on the schedule of the placement districts, with most districts starting mid-July to early August. Residents will begin their school placement with new teacher orientation and teacher professional development days prior to the arrival of students. A full-day, in-person orientation event will be held in July prior to the start of the residency experience. 

Because of the intense nature of the graduate program and residency placement, outside employment is strongly discouraged.

USM believes strongly in the residency model of educator preparation, which includes a year-long placement within the classroom of a mentor teacher. As such, we will not accept candidates who hold a position as teacher of record during their residency.

Residents within our partner districts can participate in the program with their full tuition costs covered through a combination of scholarships and an education award provided upon program completion.

Residents serving as TAs in non-partner districts may be responsible for a portion of tuition expenses.

Contact us to discuss your specific situation. Books and testing fees are grant-funded for all participants. Residents may be required to cover incidental fees such as the graduate school application fee, background check, graduation fee, etc. 

During their year of residency, residents serving as AmeriCorps members can receive a $20,000 stipend. This is paid monthly (August through May) during the resident’s internship placement. As the living stipend is designed to support residents who are not otherwise employed during residency, those who are employed by a school district during residency are not eligible to receive the living stipend.

Yes, residents receiving full-tuition scholarships agree to two years (including the residency year) in a school district deemed a geographical critical shortage area. 

Visit usm.edu/mcare for the application link.

Step 1: Apply to Residency

Complete the online application available at usm.edu/mcare. You will need:

• • Resume
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Test scores (ACT/Praxis), if used for entrance criteria.

Step 2: Selection Day

Well-qualified candidates will be offered invitations to selection day events to be held in April. Candidates must be offered a placement by a district partner prior to proceeding to Step 3.

Step 3: Apply to USM's Graduate School

Apply online to the MAT in Inclusive Elementary Education by May 10. You will need:

• • Resume
  • Official transcripts
  • Test scores (ACT/Praxis), if used for entrance criteria.
  • Statement of purpose
  • Contact information for three references

Step 4: Begin Program

Attend an online orientation and begin online coursework in May.

Applications for the 2026-27 cohort are due March 31, 2026. 

Applications are reviewed upon receipt to determine program eligibility. Eligible candidates are then invited to participate in Selection Day in April on one of USM’s campuses. At this event, candidates will participate in interviews with district partners, teaching a sample lesson, and completing a writing sample. Candidates will be notified of district placement offers following Selection Day. 

Check out our website to register for one of our virtual open house events. You can also request more information by emailing Hailee Hawkins, program coordinator, at hailee.hawkinsFREEMississippi.