Engaging and Inspiring K-6 Learners
Who were your favorite teachers?
You've had life-changing experiences in the classroom that challenged you to succeed and inspired your passions. Now it's your turn to share that calling as a K-6 educator, a mentor, and a champion for lifelong learning.
Someday soon, a joyful student will answer that all-important question with your name — and you will have made that possible because of your time at Belhaven University.
Instruction, Interaction, Immersion
Why You’ll Love Elementary Education at Belhaven
ELL Endorsement
Expand your outreach with expertise in teaching English language learners.
Experienced Mentors
Every course is taught by professional educators who've working in public and private schools.
Small Class Sizes
A 12:1 student/faculty ratio means instruction and interaction in a close-knit community.
High Demand For Talented Teachers
Public school districts and private institutions are hiring for every grade level.
10 Areas of Endorsement
Reading endorsement required; then choose from nine other focus areas
Fully Qualified
Our program aligns with multiple state and national professional standards
142 Years of Expertise
A leader in Christian education since 1883
MAAC Agreement
Mississippi Community College AA graduates can seamlessly transfer to BU
What Can You Do With a Major in Elementary Ed?
- Public and private schools in the local greater Jackson area school districts, throughout the state, and across the U.S. and beyond
- Preschools and other early childhood education programs
- International ministries and missions
- Educational agencies and research institutions
- Corporate and non-profit training
Majoring in Elementary Education also provides multiple pathways to secondary education certification, higher ed instruction, and school administration.
Learning to Teach, Teaching to Learn
When you graduate, you’ll be a professional educator qualified to teach in public or private schools. Some of the courses you will study:
- Child Development & the Characteristics of Children as Learners
- How Children Learn & How All Children Can Learn
- Curriculum Planning & Assessing Student Learning
- Developing Effective Learning Environments
- Classroom Management
- Clinical Classroom and School Observations
- Clinical Practice Student Teacher Internships
Many graduates return to Belhaven to earn advanced degrees in curriculum, school leadership, reading literacy, and more.
We want for you to understand that your story is part of the Great Story. So, you will be challenged to think critically and analytically to see how ideas and events fit together, how competing worldviews developed and how a Christ-centered understanding of the world has remained consistent throughout the ages. And, you will be equipped and encouraged to use your skills and abilities to fulfill your calling as you pursue a career that will bless the world and nourish your soul.
Learning to Teach, Teaching to Learn
When you graduate, you’ll be a professional educator qualified to teach in public or private schools. Some of the courses you will study:
- Child Development & the Characteristics of Children as Learners
- How Children Learn & How All Children Can Learn
- Curriculum Planning & Assessing Student Learning
- Developing Effective Learning Environments
- Classroom Management
- Clinical Classroom and School Observations
- Clinical Practice Student Teacher Internships
Many graduates return to Belhaven to earn advanced degrees in curriculum, school leadership, reading literacy, and more.
We want for you to understand that your story is part of the Great Story. So, you will be challenged to think critically and analytically to see how ideas and events fit together, how competing worldviews developed and how a Christ-centered understanding of the world has remained consistent throughout the ages. And, you will be equipped and encouraged to use your skills and abilities to fulfill your calling as you pursue a career that will bless the world and nourish your soul.
The Journey from from Students to Teachers
Our program emphasizes real-world experience through practicum and clinical hours, ensuring that candidates are well-prepared for the classroom environment. Belhaven equips its students with the skills and confidence to make a meaningful impact.
Majoring in Elementary Education: What You Need to Know
You’re allowed to take only a limited number of courses as a pre-education candidate before you can apply for the Teacher Educator Preparation Program (TEPP). Admission to Belhaven University and being a pre-education major does not automatically admit you to the Teacher Educator Preparation Program (TEPP).
You’ll be accepted into TEPP when you:
- Pass the required Mississippi Teacher Educator Entrance Exams;
- Complete the required core education courses; and
- Successfully interview with the TEPP Candidate Approval Committee.
If you’re unable to meet these criteria, you can no longer take courses from the School of Education and will be required to change your major.
- Structured observation of a variety schools and classrooms in diverse learning environments, as well as diverse student populations
- Community involvement, field trips, fundraisers and service projects, tutoring and international travel for education or missions
- Clinical internships in local school districts
- Membership in professional school, teacher, and specialty subject associations
- Participation in National Education Honor Society
The Belhaven School of Education serving as the Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) has developed and maintains a conceptual framework that is integrated throughout the undergraduate and graduate educator preparation programs at both the initial and advanced levels.
The EPP Conceptual Framework is the result of collaborative efforts between the faculty, administration, partner schools, and professional education community to reflect the knowledge base, current research, best practices, and state and national standards.
View the Professional Licensure Programs page for more information since the professional licensure requirements vary from state to state.
Free Master's Degree
Belhaven is the only university in the country to give traditional-campus students full-tuition scholarships for an online master’s degree! You can choose from one of our many high-demand master's degrees in education leading to advanced positions in education, higher salary, enhanced teaching skills, professional development and career advancement.
Additional Undergraduate School of Education Info
Interested in teaching at the middle/high school level? Talk to your advisor about dual enrollment in the Secondary Teacher Certification Program, which leads to a Mississippi Middle and/or High School Teacher License.
If you’re majoring in Dance, Theatre, Music, or Visual Arts, you can earn a K-12 Five Year Renewable Teacher License after you complete your degree.
The Mississippi State Department of Education will issue a license after you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree in one of the approved performance or visual arts degree programs and you’ve met the state teacher test requirements.
In addition, you must have a qualifying ACT or Praxis Core Test score and successfully pass the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Test. There is no requirement for School of Education courses or Clinical Intern Student Teaching hours.
Special MDE Performance and Visual Arts Teacher License [PDF]
Public school teaching licenses are issued by the Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Educator Licensure, Jackson, Mississippi. Applications for licensure may be secured from the Dean of the School of Education. If you plan to teach in states other than Mississippi, you are responsible for securing all requirements and forms.
Admission to Belhaven University and being a Pre-Education Major in the School of Education DOES NOT automatically admit an individual to the Teacher Educator Preparation Program (TEPP).
View the requirements for admission to the TEPP Teacher Education Preparation Program [PDF]
Please note: As a Pre-Education Candidate in the School of Education, you may only take a limited number of courses before you must apply for admission into the Teacher Educator Preparation Program (TEPP).
Candidates are admitted to the TEPP after:
- Successfully passing the required Mississippi Teacher Educator Entrance Exams;
- Successfully completing the requisite education courses;
- Meeting and successfully interviewing with the School of Education TEPP Candidate Approval Committee; and
- Approval as a Teacher Candidate for the Belhaven Teacher Educator Preparation Program.
If you are not admitted to the TEPP, you can no longer take courses from the School of Education and will be required to change your major.
Belhaven University and the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges (MACC) have signed an agreement that provides Mississippi community college students a seamless pathway to earning their Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education. The agreement allows students with an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from any MACC institution to transfer directly into Belhaven University, where the AA degree will fulfill the first two years of the University’s Elementary Teacher Education Preparation Program.
"I appreciate how our professors teach from a Christian worldview. Whether weaving Scripture into the course content, asking how they can pray for us, or showing grace in difficult times, my professors here have shown me what it looks like to be a Christian educator."
"Because of my degree from Belhaven, I will be well equipped to enter the teaching field. I will have the tools necessary to become an effective teacher, and the foundation needed to live a life that glorifies Christ."
“My experience at Belhaven has truly been life changing. Throughout my four years, I have been blessed with supportive, passionate, and dedicated professors who have provided me with the tools and resources to excel academically and have also encouraged me in my spiritual walk with the Lord. My time at Belhaven has taught me that if I wholeheartedly trust in the Lord with my future and live a life of surrender to His will, He will grant me far more than what I can imagine.”
"Belhaven has everything to offer. As a student-athlete, I needed a college with a strong academic and athletic program. The opportunities are endless at Belhaven, and I have grown spiritually during my time here. My relationship with Christ has meant more to me than ever before."
"Belhaven University has a warm and inviting atmosphere. During my first visit to the School of Education, I was impressed by the welcoming environment. Belhaven's commitment to centering everything on Christ, imparting that knowledge, and incorporating a Christian worldview into every aspect of life is truly remarkable."
"My experience at Belhaven University has been truly remarkable. The dedicated professors at this Christian institution have been instrumental in guiding me through my transition from community college. Belhaven's School of Education has put in significant effort to equip me for my future career as a professional educator."
"The small class sizes here at Belhaven really let us get more hands-on experience, which makes the teacher prep classes super fun. Having a smaller student-to-teacher ratio also means we get to know each other better and build a real connection with our professors. As teacher candidates, we all feel really supported and cared for by our professors."
"When I think of the Belhaven School of Education, the professors will be the first thing that comes to mind. They are some of the most dedicated people I have ever met, and their care for the teacher candidates shines through everything that they do. I greatly value the education I receive here at the University because I know that I am surrounded by people who are striving to help me become the best person and future teacher I can be."
Meet Our Faculty
Associate Professor of Education and Chair of Undergraduate Program
Tammie Brown
Associate Professor of Education and Chair of Undergraduate Program
Assistant Professor of Education
Stacey Donaldson
Assistant Professor of Education
Associate Professor of Graduate Education and Director of ED Doctoral Studies
Tracey Gregory
Associate Professor of Graduate Education and Director of ED Doctoral Studies
Dean of the School of Education
David Hand
Dean of the School of Education
Professor of Education; Director of the Master of Arts in Education Program
Rebekah Mincey
Professor of Education; Director of the Master of Arts in Education Program
Associate Professor of Education/ Chair of Graduate Education
Mariella Simons
Associate Professor of Education/ Chair of Graduate Education
Assistant Professor of Education
Brittany Singleton
Assistant Professor of Education
Assistant Professor of Education and Undergraduate Education Chair
Tammy Smith
Assistant Professor of Education and Undergraduate Education Chair
Dean of Online Studies and Professor of Education
Cynthia Wilkins
Dean of Online Studies and Professor of Education
Assistant Professor; Dean of Doctoral Studies
James Young
Assistant Professor; Dean of Doctoral Studies
Contact Us
Office of Admission
Phone: 601-968-5940Mailing Address:
1500 Peachtree Street, Box 153
Jackson, MS 39202
For campus visit:
Jimmy Hood Welcome Center
855 Riverside Drive
Jackson, MS 39202
Fax: 601-300-2932
Verse of the Year
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100:5