Dr. Stephanie. Davidson-Herndon, Interim Chair and Associate Professor
P.O. Box 18380
Telephone: (601) 979-2341
Fax: (601) 979-2178
e-mail: stephanie.r.davidson@jsums.edu 

Faculty

Dr. K. Bennett, Assistant Professor
Dr. K. Bryant, Associate Professor 
Dr. S. Davidson-Herndon, Associate Professor
Dr. T. Dixon, Assistant Professor 
Dr. T. Latiker, Associate Professor
Dr. L. Opara-Nadi, Assistant Professor 
Dr.  J.  Yin, Professor

The Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science in Education Degree in Early Childhood Education, Literacy and Elementary Education; the Specialist in Education Degree in Elementary Education; and the Doctor of Education Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Program Description

The College of Education & Human Development has been awarded a Mississippi Teacher Residency grant from the Mississippi Department of Education through which the Jackson Public Schools, Choctaw County Schools, and Canton Public Schools Districts in collaboration with Jackson State University will strengthen and expand current teacher pathways to complete their graduate degree and achieve Mississippi Teacher Certification.  Through the JSU ESED Program model (which combines coursework and job-embedded training) we will prepare diverse and effective teachers in critical shortage areas that serve low-income children, racial/ethnic minorities, and children with disabilities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Through partnerships, the program will address the critical shortage of graduate level certified elementary and special education teachers; and diversify the teacher pipeline so that all students have well-prepared and appropriately licensed teachers.

The ESED program is housed in the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education and delivered in collaboration with the Special Education program.  Graduate students participating in the ESED program will be engaged in a concentrated Master’s degree program in Elementary Education and Special Education.

The objectives of this degree program are to: 1) increase the number of day one ready teachers in Mississippi; 2) diversify the pool of teachers in Mississippi; and 3) increase the number of teachers who stay in the teaching profession for a minimum of 3 to 5 years post-graduation.

The expected outcomes of this degree program are to increase K-12 student achievement by improving the preparation of teachers and to foster the creation of a culture of collaborative professionalism that will improve student performance, enhance school leadership, increase teacher retention, and strengthen school-community engagement. The Master’s in ESED Degree Program will seek accreditation through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
The ESED degree will provide a path to teaching for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree but have not previously earned certification to teach. Applicants may be either a recent college graduate or “a mid-career professional from outside the field of education possessing strong content knowledge or a record of professional accomplishment.  Applicants may also be teacher assistants or other school personnel who hold bachelor’s degrees who do not have teacher certification. Program graduates will exit with a commitment to teach in a geographical critical shortage school or district serving low-income children, racial/ethnic minorities and children with disabilities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.  ESED will provide a solid preparation for teaching, in elementary and special education, alongside a highly qualified mentor for at least a year. Admission to the program occurs annually and begins each summer. Applications are due by March 1st.

The integrated curriculum for the ESPED Program consists of both Elementary Education and Special Education content organized so that students can matriculate through program requirements in a theory & practice-based year-long, thirty-six (36) credit hour, internship-apprentice based manner in the classroom of an experienced mentor teacher.

Pre-licensure courses are denoted with an asterisk.  There is also a Graduate Area Comprehensive Examination (GACE) Requirement. Students may register after successful completion of 24 credit hours.  The GACE for this program will be completed during the spring semester.