Mississippi State University
NCATE Conceptual Framework
MISSION
The Mission of the College of Education at Mississippi State University is to ensure the success of students and graduates by providing superior learning opportunities that are continually improved as society, schools, and technology change. Consequently, the faculty of the College of Education at Mississippi State University believe that their role is to prepare Educators/Professionals who possess the necessary knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes to function competently and ethically and who are dedicated to continual improvement of all students/educational experiences.
VISUAL SYMBOL
The visual symbol is a shield depicting a burning torch, a metaphor for the necessary knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes of Educators/Professionals and a globe, symbolizing the dedication of Educators/Professionals to the improvement of all students' educational experiences. On the outside edges of the shield are the areas of study which constitute the components of the educative process and are essential underpinnings for development of knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes of Educators/Professionals.
General Studies assist Educators/Professionals in understanding themselves and the world around them and allow them to gain both a more integrated view of knowledge and a more authentic view of life.
Professional/PedagogicalStudies encourage Educators/Professionals to connect their knowledge of those areas of specialization to an understanding of how students or clients learn and think at various stages in their development.
Specialty Studies enhance and build upon the general studies allowing students opportunity to learn to think about how knowledge in their discipline can contribute to educating a productive Educator/Professional.
World of Practice Studies allow students the opportunity to participate in field/site-based experiences where they explore the issues involved in the setting and develop specific competencies through practice, both of which contribute to effective teaching/leadership and build reflective practice to help ensure that necessary skills have been mastered.
Contained within the shield are the words "knowledge," "collaboration," " reflection," and "practice" identifying the essential characteristics of an effective teacher/leader, the beliefs that guide program development.
KNOWLEDGE
Educators/Professionals must have a deep understanding of the organizing concepts, processes and attitudes that comprise their chosen disciplinary knowledge base,the pedagogical knowledge base, the pedagogical content knowledge base and how these knowledge bases are complemented by proficiency in the use of technology.
COLLABORATION
Educators/Professionals must continually seek opportunities to work together, learn from one another, forge partnerships, and assume positions of responsibility.

REFLECTION
Educators/Professionals must have a deep understanding of the organizing concepts, processes and attitudes that comprise their chosen disciplinary knowledge base,the pedagogical knowledge base, the pedagogical content knowledge base and how these knowledge bases are complemented by proficiency in the use of technology.
PRACTICE
Educators/Professionals must have a deep understanding of the organizing concepts, processes and attitudes that comprise their chosen disciplinary knowledge base,the pedagogical knowledge base, the pedagogical content knowledge base and how these knowledge bases are complemented by proficiency in the use of technology.

Educators/Professionals must determine their strengths and weaknesses and possess the skills, behaviors, and attitudes necessary to learn, change, and grow as life-long learners.

Educators/Professionals must have a rich repertoire of research-based strategies for instruction, assessment, and the use of technologies and be able to focus that array of skills on promoting authentic learning by all students or clients, while exhibiting an appreciation and commitment to the value and role of diversity.

Organizational Theme
The organizing theme for the conceptual framework for the College of Education at Mississippi State University is Educators/Professionals - Dedicated to Continual Improvement of All Students' Educational Experiences.

Conceptual Framework
The Conceptual Framework for the College of Education has four levels: (a) Teacher Education Basic Program - undergraduate majors for professionals who plan to become K-12 classroom teachers, (b) General Basic Program - undergraduate majors for professionals who plan non-teaching careers, (c) Teacher Education Advanced Program - graduate degree majors for professionals who are classroom teachers, and (d) General Advanced Program - graduate degree majors for professionals who plan to work in settings other than K-12 classroom teachers, such as school psychology, educational leadership, educational psychology, school counseling, higher education, etc. All programs in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction are Teacher Education Basic Programs or Teacher Education Advanced Programs except for the Special Education Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD) Master's degree.

Undergraduate Conceptual Framework
• COE Teacher Education Basic Program
• C&I Teacher Education Basic Program
• COE General Basic Program
• INTASC

Graduate Conceptual Framework Program
• COE Teacher Education Advanced Program
• C&I Teacher Education Advanced Program
• COE General Advanced Program
• National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

INTASC Standards
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards