STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - If you've ever thought about becoming a teacher, Mississippi State University is now offering a way to do so that never requires you to go to their campus in Starkville.
It's the latest alternate route teaching program at MSU called MAT-M.
Dr. Matt Alred with MSU said, "We were able to start the master of arts in teaching middle level education. It provides upper elementary and middle school licensure for rural schools in Mississippi."
Students who've already earned a four-year degree or higher in any field can complete their work all online to become a middle school teacher.
It's a way to target students who maybe can't leave their family or move to campus.
It also aims to keep more teachers in the places where they live to stay there and teach.
Alred said, "They don't have to leave home. They can stay there and complete their degree online. They can teach in the schools where they went and their children go to."
Through this program, MSU is reaching out to non-certified staff members already in place at schools.
Alred said, "This targets teacher's assistants or others in the schools that may already have a degree but not teacher licensure. We understand they already have a lot of valuable experience and may just need a couple of more classes to get their teacher licensure."
Program officials also encourage people who want a career change or those who've been looking for a job and can't find one to consider teaching.
They say these jobs are almost always available.
