Mississippi College Offers Graduate Education Classes in Pearl

MC School of Education Dean Cindy Melton

Mississippi College graduate students are taking education classes in Rankin County thanks to an effective partnership.

Leaders of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools are teamed with the MC School of Education. As a result, MC instructors offer classes at MAIS offices in Pearl.

The cohort class of 11 graduate students this summer becomes eligible to take courses year-round, says School of Education Dean Cindy Melton.

“This is an exciting partnership we have with our friends at MAIS,” Melton said.

Based at Lowery Hall on the Clinton campus, Ace Bryant serves as the MAIS academic coordinator/advisor.

Mississippi College offers a master’s degree in educational leadership for independent school administrators. The graduate program is designed for students seeking training and preparation for administrative roles in independent schools.

The MC program is designed for professionals desiring to be leaders in educational settings. Courses are geared to people establishing schools, and/or working in independent school settings, says Associate Provost Debbie Norris.

Under the partnership, MAIS officials allow Mississippi College to use its headquarters at 176 Country Place Parkway in Pearl to teach the classes. But their offices aren’t classified as an off-campus site, adds Norris, the MC Graduate School dean.

All of the Mississippi College students enrolled come from MAIS institutions, Melton said.

Founded in 1968, the association represents 120 independent schools in Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The private schools in the region serve more than 40,000 students. The group originated as the Mississippi Private Schools Association.

Led by executive director A. Shane Blanton, the organization is responsible for accreditation of its member schools. In addition, the group governs athletic competition for its members.

Jackson Academy, Marvell Academy in Arkansas, Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Canton Academy, Copiah Academy, Lee Academy in Clarksdale, and Kirk Academy in Grenada are among the MAIS schools.

Mississippi College partnerships with independent schools go back decades. Many independent school graduates end up enrolling at the Christian university in Clinton. Founded in 1826, Mississippi’s oldest private university begins fall classes on August 17.