Purpose of Program

Successful completion of the entire two-year curriculum provides a student with a detailed and diverse knowledge of the earth sciences. In addition, the student will earn a M.S. degree in Geosciences from Mississippi State University. A student may also enroll in selected courses if he or she only needs advanced knowledge in a specific area. While designed for K-12 teachers, the TIG program is open to all. Anyone who would like to obtain more knowledge of the geosciences or combine geosciences with education will benefit from the program.

The TIG program is designed to provide "hands-on" experiences along with an opportunity to gain an understanding of geosciences principles.  The program of study includes courses in meteorology, geology, astronomy, oceanography, environmental geoscience, and hydrology. Each course is taught by our noted science experts.

All of the core courses are taught online. The final course is a 10-day "on location" field methods course which provides documentation of proficiency in the geosciences. This 10-day field course allows a student to work closely with instructors and fellow classmates in exploring all or most aspects of the geosciences in detail. Our field course sites include: Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, Central Arizona (including the Grand Canyon), Western Washington State, Western Lake Superior, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Eastern New York, Mammoth Cave, the Sierra Nevada (including Yosemite), San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, and the Great Plains Storm Chase.

The TIG program allows a student to complete the coursework within the framework of a typical university semester but with greater flexibility. One-on-one instruction and interaction with other teachers from across the country and around the world enhances our diverse training in the earth sciences.

The degree earned in the TIG program will enable students from most states to obtain a higher certification and/or advance on the pay scale. Certification requirements vary from state to state, so information regarding potential upgrades to teaching licenses and salaries should be obtained from individual State Departments of Education and/or local school districts. 
It is important to note that the TIG program provides science content for educators, but it is not a teacher preparation program.