At Belhaven, the faculty and staff honor the unique learning needs of working adults. The concentrated instructional design of the graduate teacher education programs allows graduates to apply new knowledge and skills in the field within a reasonable time span. The degrees enhance the learning opportunities for students and open the doors for professional advancement and increased salary for teachers.
Accelerated classes. Accelerated degree classes are offered during summer, fall and spring terms. This format provides seven (four-hour) class meetings followed by weekly project team projects. Within seven weeks, students complete a three-hour graduate course. The schedule allows students to complete at least two courses during the regular semester while the design focuses effort on one course at a time. During the summer, students can complete up to two courses in 3 weeks by attending four-hour morning and afternoon sessions and project teams, or they may opt for taking courses at night during the regular summer terms.
Degree completion in the evenings. Students who begin the program in the summer can complete the teacher education program by the following summer if they take at least six hours (two courses) in the summer terms and in the fall and spring accelerated sessions. The programs assist students in earning advanced teacher certification and licensure to increase their salary in just over one year. Of course, students who prefer to take a more relaxed route to the master’s degree can opt to take only three hours (one course) during any semester or take courses only during the summer.
Scholarships. Because of our commitment to the development of teacher leaders, Belhaven offers the Classroom Leadership Scholarship (CLS) to M.Ed. students currently teaching in either public or private schools and for qualified M.A.T. students. In addition, students earning their first master’s degree, who are under contract as a full-time classroom teacher in an accredited Mississippi public school, may also apply for the Graduate Teacher Summer (GTS) Loan/Scholarship from the state of Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning.
Convenient location. Belhaven is conveniently located in the heart of Jackson. With easy access from the interstate and major thoroughfares, students can reach campus from any place in the city or surrounding areas quickly and easily. Students can also meet with their project teams in geographical areas away from the campus.
