Alternate-route FAQs

What does “alternate-route” mean?

Alternate-route is defined as a teacher preparation program that helps license and train people who already have an undergraduate degree in something other than education. Often, people decide to become teachers after a point at which it would be practical to complete a traditional teacher training program. 

Who should consider an alternate-route program?

Alternate-route programs are perfect for current undergraduate students who are in their junior/senior year of college (and are close to earning a non-education degree), or people who have completed an undergraduate degree and have decided to change careers. Often, people have done programs like the Peace Corps, worked as tutors, and/or worked with children at after-school programs, etc., and have found that becoming a teacher is what they were called to do.

What is the format of an alternate-route program?

Alternate-route programs typically exist in two formats:

  1. Through a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program (examples: The Mississippi Teacher Corps and the Online MAT program)

  2. Through a non-masters program that focuses only on training and licensure (example: Teach Mississippi Institute)

How do alternate-route programs work?

Regardless of the alternate-route program format, people in alternate-route programs in Mississippi receive a three-year non-renewable Mississippi teaching license after the initial training/coursework. Program participants then teach and complete the rest of the program training/coursework in order to receive their 5-year regular, renewable Mississippi teaching license.