Major In Middle Grades Education Bachelor of Arts

Coordinator:  Dr. Jeanneine Jones

Department:  Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education (MDSK)

The B.A. program in Middle Grades Education qualifies graduates for an entry-level (“A”) license to teach two of the following four content areas in grades 6-9:  English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies.

Program Objectives.  Graduates of the program are prepared to:  implement a middle grades philosophy to its fullest intent; design curriculum that is integrated, competency- and technology-based, and relevant to students’ future academic and career expectations; transform their knowledge of two disciplines so they are accessible to middle grades students; use teaching methods appropriate to the unique developmental needs of early adolescents; make informed decisions about curricular issues and instructional practices in middle grades education; demonstrate pervasive caring and innovative leadership in their work with students and colleagues; and function as lifelong learners.

Requirements.  The major in Middle Grades Education leading to the B.A. degree requires 120-128 semester hours as follows:

General Education (hours vary).  Course options are listed on the program’s Academic Planning Worksheet.  Course selections must be initially approved by the student’s Pre-Education advisor in the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL) and finally approved by the student’s major advisor after admission to the Teacher Education Program in Middle Grades Education.

Academic Concentrations (41-48 hours).  Academic Concentrations are required in two of the following four subject areas relevant to a middle grades classroom:

• English Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies

The required and elective courses in each Academic Concentration are listed on the program’s Academic Planning Worksheet.  Course selections must be initially approved by the student’s Pre-Education advisor in the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL) and finally approved by the student’s major advisor after admission to the Teacher Education Program in Middle Grades Education.

Professional Education (48 hours)
EDUC 2100 *  An Introduction to Education and Diversity in Schools (3)
SPED 2100 *   Introduction to Students with Special Needs (2)
 
* Corequisite courses EDUC 2100 and SPED 2100 should be taken during a student’s sophomore year; both must be completed with a grade of C or better to qualify for admission to the Teacher Education Program in Middle Grades Education.

See Academic Plan of Study for course sequence.

Admission to Teacher Education and advisor’s approval are required in order to register for any of the following course:

MDLG 3130The Early Adolescent Learner (4)
MDSK 3150Research and Analysis of Teaching Middle and Secondary School Learners (3)
EXER 3152(Formerly KNES 3152)  Health and Safety Issues in Middle and Secondary Schools (2)
MDSK 3151Instructional Design and the Use of Technology with Middle and Secondary School Learners (3)
MDLG 3131The Philosophy and Curriculum of Middle Grades Education (4)
READ 3255 Integrating Reading and Writing Across Content Areas (W) (3)
MDSK 4251Teaching Science to Middle and Secondary School Learners (3) and/or
MAED 3232Teaching Mathematics to Middle School Learners (3) and/or
MDSK 4253Teaching Social Studies to Middle and Secondary School Learners (3) and/or
ENGL 4254Teaching English/Communication Skills to Middle and Secondary School Learners (3)
EDUC 4290Modifying Instruction for Learners with Diverse Needs (2)
MDLG 4440 **  Student Teaching/Seminar:  6-9 Middle Grades (12)
MDSK 4150 Assessment, Reflection and Management Practices

** Enrollment in MDLG 4440 requires admission to student teaching through the College’s Office of Field Experiences.

Students are required to complete a year-long internship beginning the semester prior to student teaching and ending upon the successful completing of student teaching.

Academic Advising.Freshmen and sophomores who intend to major in Middle Grades Education are classified as Pre-Education students in Middle Grades Education.  They are assigned an advisor in the College’s Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL), who helps them select appropriate General Education and Academic Concentration courses and who helps them meet the requirements for admission to teacher education.  Upon admission to the Teacher Education Program in Middle Grades Education, which typically occurs at the end of the sophomore year, students are assigned a major advisor in Middle Grades Education, who helps them plan the remainder of their program of studies.  Assignment of the student’s major advisor is the responsibility of the Chair of the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education (MDSK).

For advising, please visit our new MDSK Advising Center:
http://education.uncc.edu/mdsk/MDSK-Advising_Center.htm

Important Student Deadlines for year-long internships, student teaching, and internships: (See OFE for specific Deadlines)