Degree and Certification
This degree is a bachelor of science in education in middle school education with an emphasis in language arts.
Additionally, upon successfully completing the initial teacher-certification process, the state grants you certification in middle school language arts (grades 5-9).
Program of Study
This program encompasses three areas of study:
Phase I: Freshman – Sophomore Year
You are automatically accepted into Phase I with admittance to the University.
Course Work
The majority of your time in Phase I is spent completing your general-education requirements.
Course work through the College of Education focuses on facilitating learning at all levels of development. Consideration is given to the influences of cultural, political, historical and economic factors on students, teachers and schools.
Field Experiences
Field experiences in Phase I include:
- Sixteen hours in a classroom environment tutoring and working with students in small groups under teacher supervision.
- Twenty hours in a service-learning environment serving in community organizations (e.g., Big Brothers Big Sisters, Granny’s House).
Phase II: Junior Year – First Semester Senior Year
You must apply for admittance into Phase II in the spring of your sophomore year. For more information about the application process, please consult your adviser.
Course Work
In this phase, focus shifts to the field of middle school language arts education. Your course work surrounds general teaching and learning strategies specific to language arts. You will learn to support the development of reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing skills of middle school students.
Field Experiences
You spend at least 20 hours working in middle school language arts classrooms helping to teach literacy learning. Each field experience will be tied to a pedagogy class.
Phase III: Second Semester Senior Year
You are assigned to a classroom for a 16-week, full-time internship under the mentorship of an experienced middle school language arts educator.