Teacher Certification
All majors at Blue Mountain Christian University leading to teacher licensure are approved by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) whose standards comply with those established by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This MDE approval of BMC teacher education graduates allows students to pursue licensure at the “A” Certification level in Mississippi.
The Department of Education offers programs of study leading to certification in Elementary Education (K-3 and K-6), secondary education, and K-12 specialty areas. Any student electing a major in elementary, in a secondary education field, or in a specialty area field (with the exception of the Instrumental Music specialty area) must meet the BMC Core Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Education as shown in the Academic Section of this Catalog. Students who elect the Instrumental Music major must meet the BMC Core Requirements for the Bachelor of Music Education shown in the Academic Section of the Catalog.
Majors for those interested in becoming high school teachers are available in Biology, Mathematics, English, and Social Science.
In addition, BMC offers programs that lead to K-12 certification in Music (B.S.Ed. and B.M.E.), Physical Education, and Spanish
Licensure candidates must satisfactorily complete examinations as prescribed for licensure in Mississippi. Test advisement is available in the Department of Education and/or the Office of the Registrar.
Graduation from the College does not automatically result in teacher certification (or licensure). The authority for granting teacher licensure rests with the State Department of Education in the state where the graduate chooses to teach. After the successful completion of the teacher education program, including the passing of all required tests, candidates for licensure are recommended for certification by the Provost, the chair of BMC’s Department of Education, and (if the student is seeking secondary school certification) the chair of the department in which the student’s major falls. Graduates wishing to teach in a state other than Mississippi must contact the State Department of Education in that state for licensure requirements.
Requirements governing teacher certification occasionally change from those published in this Catalog. Students are advised, therefore, to check periodically with their advisor for possible modifications in program requirements.
Major course requirements are listed in the appropriate department in this Catalog. Departmental course requirements beyond the Core for these various degree options are shown in this section. A number of supplemental endorsements are available; students should consult the chair of the BMC Department of Education for further information regarding these “add-on” endorsements.
Title II Reporting
In October 1998, the United States Congress enacted amendments to the Higher Education Act (HEA) concerning teacher preparation and licensing. As amended, Title II, Higher Education Act: Grants Plus Accountability, requires the annual preparation of a report on teacher preparation and licensing. The Title II amendment mandates submission of this report to states, to the U.S. Secretary of Education, and to the general public. The 2008 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act made sweeping changes to the data collection required under Title II. The 2010 state reports are the first reports submitted by states under the reauthorized law. The state reports (including information submitted related to the Blue Mountain Christian University teacher preparation unit) may be accessed at https://title2.ed.gov/View.asp. Hard copies of the Blue Mountain Christian University Title II report are available upon request from the Title II Contact at Blue Mountain Christian University. By standards measured through the Title II compliance report, the Blue Mountain Christian University teacher preparation unit is high performing.
Students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Education degree may select a major in either Elementary Education (K-3 or K-6) or, if they are seeking licensure in secondary areas (7-12 or K-12, with the exception of the Instrumental Music major) must complete the Core requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Education degree, the major course requirements listed in the appropriate department in this catalog, and Secondary Teaching Requirements. Students seeking a major in Instrumental Music must complete the Core requirements for the Bachelor of Music Education, the major course requirement listed in the Department of Fine Arts in this catalog, and Secondary Teaching Requirements. Programs of study are available at BMC leading to endorsements for Biology, English, Mathematics, Social Science, Music, Physical Education, and Spanish. In addition, supplemental endorsements in special education, mathematics 7-12, physics, and physical science are available. Students should consult with the Dean of the Department of Education for further information.