JACKSON, Miss. — On Sept. 5 the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education Certification approved 14 separate program requests from educator-preparation providers for spring 2026 implementation, including course changes, program deletions and requests to establish new licensure-track programs.

Dr. Kim Benton introduced items 13 through 26 and said the requests were routine for the season and largely involved changes to course prefixes, titles, or required courses. “This morning, Dr. Stilling and I bring forward for your consideration 14 different items,” Benton told the commission, summarizing the slate of proposals from multiple institutions.

Approved items included modifications from Blue Mountain Christian University (items 13–14); multiple requests from Mississippi College, including deletion of two bachelor-of-education programs (Biology 7–12 and Chemistry 7–12) and two master-of-education programs (Athletic Administration K–12 and STEM) because of low or no enrollment (item 15); curriculum and clinical-hour modifications to Mississippi College’s educational leadership master’s program (item 16); and several supplemental-endorsement and course-title changes across Mississippi State University, Tougaloo College, the University of Mississippi, and William Carey University. The University of Mississippi also received approval to establish a licensure-track Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in elementary education K–6 (item 23).

When commissioners asked about low enrollment at Mississippi College, Dr. Benton said the programs cited in the deletion request had experienced “low or no enrollment” and that a teach-out plan exists for any currently enrolled student. She also noted that supplemental endorsement avenues remain available for individuals seeking subject-area certification in those fields.

Each item was moved and seconded individually and approved by voice vote; commissioners did not propose amendments to the slate during the meeting. The approvals are intended to update the commission’s list of approved educator-preparation programs and to streamline transcript review and licensure processing when candidates apply for certification under the revised programs.

What’s next: Institutions may implement approved program changes for spring 2026; staff will update the division’s approved program list and continue licensure transcript reviews under the revised program requirements.