Middle Level Education: Language Arts
The bachelor of science degree in middle level language arts education prepares professionals who desire to work in the education field with children in grades four through eight. A concentration in language arts prepares prospective teachers for the challenging work of developing students’ literacy skills.
The middle level teacher preparation program also includes:
- Organization and philosophy of middle level education
- Young adolescent development
- Data assessment and analysis
- Effective classroom management strategies
- Education technology skills
- Successful intervention designs responsive to the needs of individual middle level students
Classes are small and allow for varied opportunities to work with faculty. Beginning early in the preparation program, students will spend extensive time in field placements in various school settings. Students holding a Middle Level Education: Language Arts degree will find opportunities to teach in public or private elementary and middle level schools in grades four through eight.
Real World Experiences
Classroom experiences give you school-based observation and participation each semester. There’s simply no better preparation for future teachers than real world experience. Observing how students react to different styles of instruction and learning how to adjust in response, will prepare you for a successful career in education.
- Field experiences begin the first semester
- Pre-student teaching placements
- 14 weeks of student teaching last semester
Curriculum Guide
Curriculum Guide for Middle Level Education: Language Arts B.S. Degree
FIRST SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation
- Introduction to Teaching
- Critical and Analytical Reading
- College Writing I
- The First Year Seminar
- Arts & Humanities Elective: United States History I or II
- Quantitative: College Algebra
- Pre-Service Academic Performance Assess. Prep
- Completed clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse, FBI, and Health requirements)
SECOND SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation Begin Stage 1 Field Experience/Exploration
- General Biology I
- Speech Communication
- College Writing II
- Quantitative: College Math
- Psychology of Adolescence (Educ. Section)
- Pre-Service Academic Performance Assessment Completed clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse FBI and Health requirements)
THIRD SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation Begin Stage 2 Field Experience/Exploration
- Arts & Humanities Elective: American Literature I or II
- Trigonometry
- State and Local Government
- Social & Cultural Elective: Characteristics & Needs of Exceptional Learners
- Social & Cultural Elective: Child Development II Social/Cultural
- Application and interview with Education Faculty for acceptance into education program after completion of 36 credits, passing PAPA, and 3.0 GPA or higher
- Completed clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse, FBI, and Health requirements)
FOURTH SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation Begin Stage 3 Pre-student teaching experience
- Teaching Literacy through Literature
- Cultural Geography
- Play, Cognition and Learning
- Energy & the environment or Global Change
- Scientific Literacy elective
- Completed Clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse, FBI, and Health requirements)
- Interview and Acceptance into Education Program. Required to take EDUC 3000 and higher level classes Bridge Experience
FIFTH SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation – Continue Stage 3 Pre-student teaching experience
- Developmental Assessment I
- Teaching Reading
- Social & Cultural Elective: Teaching English Language Learners
- Technology: Electronic Media for Teachers
- Classroom Management
- Elective
- Completed Clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse, FBI, and Health requirements)
SIXTH SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation – Continue Stage 3 Pre-student teaching experience
- Developmental Assessment II
- Teaching Reading Grades 4-8
- Teaching Writing in Grades 4-8
- Communications in Mathematics
- Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners
- Praxis II: Grades 4-8 Core Assessment and Concentration Tests Prep
- Completed clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse, FBI, and Health requirements)
SEVENTH SEMESTER
- Observation/Participation – Continue Stage 3 Pre-student teaching experience
- Elem. Curriculum & Methods: Math
- Elem. Curriculum & Methods: Cit. & Soc. St.
- Elem. Curriculum & Methods: Science
- Instructional Strategies for Content Area Reading
- Seminar: Contemporary Research, Issues, and Ethics in Education Moral Reasoning
- Completed clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse FBI and Health requirements)
- Praxis II: Grades 4-8 Core Assessment and Concentration Tests
EIGHTH SEMESTER
- Capstone Experience/Real World/Self Directed Experience
- Student Teaching at the Middle Level (grades 4-6)
- Student Teaching at the Middle Level (grades 7-8)
- Each placement is 7 weeks
- Grad Audit
- Completed clearances (Criminal, Child Abuse, FBI, and Health requirements)
Updated: October 2017
Disclaimer: The courses listed above are a sampling for marketing purposes only. Students should consult the College catalog and their academic advisor for course selection and degree progress. Students will work closely with an academic advisor to select courses and/or academic minors that fit their interests, as well as with Career Services for career goals. While the academic advisor assists the student in planning his/her curriculum, the student is ultimately responsible for meeting the requirements of the curriculum selected.
College Catalog
See the official college catalog for all course descriptions and degree requirements.
Hands on Experience
Study Abroad
You can explore your academic goals in an international setting and global environment. The experience of living in a new country will build your self-confidence, add valuable skills to your tool box, and will alter how you view yourself, the world, and your own country.
Internships and Field Experiences
Not all education happens in the classroom. Internships and other field experiences give students the opportunity to learn through direct hands-on experiences outside of the classroom with a real world experience in the field.
Undergraduate Research
The process of research and discovery while working with a faculty mentor enriches the learning process and creates positive attributes which will last a lifetime. Undergraduate research encompasses both traditional research and creative endeavors.