Education is a calling — and teaching is a vital ministry of service to children, their families, and our communities.

Teachers and Educators as Servant Leaders

Schools across Mississippi and around the country need caring teachers and administrators who value competence and character.

Answer that call at Belhaven University. Your degree in education will open doors. Our programs emphasize academic rigor, professional knowledge, character development, and leadership opportunities.

You’ll transform lives as you apply the integration of faith and learning based on biblical principles.

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High Demand

The need for competent, inspiring teachers has never been greater. Let Belhaven professors guide and encourage your growth as an educator.

Leadership Growth

Belhaven classes give you the space and the challenge to grow as a leader. Expand your expertise and advance your career with a graduate degree.

Unmatched Expertise

Our highly qualified faculty members all hold doctorates in education and have many years of experience in K-12 classrooms. Learn from those who know, believe, and do.

Christian Worldview

You are challenged to think critically and analytically about who God is — and who you are — as we equip you to fulfill your calling to glorify God and be a blessing to the world.

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Making an Impact on Education in MS and Beyond

Undergraduate Programs: Learning to Teach, Teaching to Serve

Graduate Programs: Learning to Lead, Leading to Serve

“This is an exciting time in the academic life of Belhaven University.”

Dr. David Hand, Dean, School of Education

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Degrees Offered

1600+

Students Enrolled

140

Years of Education Expertise

“Administrators throughout the state routinely call our department requesting that we post their job announcements.”

Dr. Cynthia Wilkins, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Education

“This is an exciting time in the academic life of Belhaven University.”

Dr. David Hand, Dean, School of Education

8

Degrees Offered

1600+

Students Enrolled

140

Years of Education Expertise

“Administrators throughout the state routinely call our department requesting that we post their job announcements.”

Dr. Cynthia Wilkins, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Education

college of distinction - education

Top Honors

Colleges of Distinction (COD) has awarded top honors to Belhaven University’s School of Education for its quality programs and focus on student success.

Following a comprehensive vetting process, schools are selected based on accreditation, quality of programs, multidisciplinary exposure, practical experience, high-impact practices, networking, and a track record for success.

Read the News Release

School of Education Information

The goal of the School of Education is to prepare competent teachers, administrators, and other educational leaders who can demonstrate academic excellence, professional dispositions, and in-depth knowledge and skills based on best practices while providing distinctive Christian leadership and service to those they will serve in the learning community.

Our six core values are grounded in our Christian worldview:

  • Knowledge of Content
  • Professional Growth
  • Assessment
  • Instructional Methods
  • Learning Environments
  • Professional Disposition

Belhaven University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees.

The School of Education is approved by the Mississippi Board of Education to offer teacher education programs. The programs are reviewed annually by the State Department of Education (MDE) to ensure state standards are met in accordance with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and MDE State Partnership protocol for continuing accreditation.

The School of Education is nationally recognized the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), having received full accreditation in Fall 2023 for all initial teacher educator licensure and advanced administrator licensure programs. 

The Belhaven School of Education, serving as the Educator Preparation Provider (EPP), is grounded in a conceptual framework integrated throughout our undergraduate and graduate educator preparation programs.

This 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.

The Belhaven University Educator Licensure Preparation Programs are in compliance with Federal Regulations: 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) and 34 CFR 668.43 (c), requiring disclosures by institutions regarding educational requirements for programs leading to professional licensure or certification regardless of modality. The Belhaven University School of Education has made no determination as to whether Belhaven’s Educator Preparation Programs and curriculum meet other state educational requirements for educator licensure other than those educator licensure programs approved by the state of Mississippi. All of the Belhaven University School of Education educator preparation degree programs leading to educator licensure have been approved by the Mississippi Department of Education. The Belhaven University School of Education’s Educator Preparation Licensure Programs do not automatically qualify candidates for an educator licensure, certification upgrade, endorsement, or pay increase within their state of residence or state of their employment. Out-of-state candidates are responsible for ascertaining the requirements for licensure, endorsement, or pay increase by the state where they seek employment or licensure. For individuals seeking clarity on whether the teacher educator programs offered by the Belhaven University School of Education align with licensure requirements in their potential employment or licensure state, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) has provided a helpful web link. This NC-SARA link contains a comprehensive list of State Departments or Agencies responsible for Teacher Educator Licensure in each state. The list includes contact information and website links to the respective state's educator licensure requirements. Access the information through the following link: Professional Licensure Directory: https://nc-sara.org/professional-licensure-directory

david hand

Quote from the Dean

"At its core, the Christian Worldview infused into all coursework is what sets our department’s future teachers and educators apart from other universities.”

Meet the Dean: Dr. David Hand

Contact Us

School of Education

Phone: 601-968-8703

601-968-8703

stuart irby hall

Verse of the Year

God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.

Philippians 2:13