Middle Grades Education B.S.Ed.
Format: In person on the Statesboro Campus
Credit Hours: 124
The Middle Grades Education B.S.Ed. Certification Track program leads to initial middle-grades teacher certification (grades 4-8). This program is offered on the Statesboro Campus.
The program consists of coursework in the major field of study, methodology courses addressing academic instruction, and core coursework in professional education.
Program Format
During this middle school teaching degree program, you will be well-prepared with excellent teaching skills. You will have many experiences in a variety of public school classrooms prior to the student teaching semester. All field experiences, including student teaching, take place within a 70 mile radius of the Georgia Southern campus. Explore more of the program outcomes.
Upon successful completion of the program and passing the Middle Grades Education GACE exam, you will qualify for Georgia’s middle-grades teacher Induction certification at the T-4 level.
Advising
All B.S.Ed. Middle Grades Education majors are assigned to a professional advisor in the College of Education (COE) Advisement Center for program planning and course scheduling. Undergraduate students are advised each term by appointment. Please visit the COE Advisement Center web page for a list of program advisors.
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Admission Information
The Georgia Southern University Office of Undergraduate Admissions oversees the application process for undergraduate students. During the admission process, ALL students interested in either the single certification middle grades program must declare the Middle Grades Education B.S.Ed. Professional Studies (Non Certification Track) as their intended major. When accepted to the university, ALL undergraduate education majors are admitted into the Middle Grades Education B.S.Ed. Professional Studies (Non Certification Track) program. For university admission information, please visit the Georgia Southern University Admissions website.
At the completion of all courses, through area F in the program of study, students seeking initial teacher certification would then apply to the Teacher Education Program. (See admission requirements for admission into the Teacher Education Program). If accepted into the Teacher Education Program, the student would move into the Middle Grades Education B.S.Ed. Certification Track program. Those students who are NOT seeking initial teacher certification, would complete the remainder of the program requirements for the Middle Grades Education B.S.Ed. Professional Studies (Non-Certification Track) program.
Student Learning Outcomes
These Student Learning Outcomes indicate knowledge, skills, and dispositions that candidates will enact by the end of the clinical practice, or student teaching, semester. These Student Learning Outcomes are informed by and align with Standards for Middle Level Teacher Preparation from the Association for Middle Level Education and Georgia Standards for teacher preparation.
Student Learning Outcome 1 (Content):
Candidates in the BSED in Middle Grades Education Program, by the end of the student teaching semester (clinical practice), will apply an in-depth knowledge of the content (i.e., disciplinary content knowledge and knowledge of the young adolescent) they need to teach in the middle grades.
Candidates will:
- Demonstrate mastery of concepts in the content areas,
- Apply understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge through interdisciplinary and integrated curriculum,
- Demonstrate understanding of concepts related to the development of young adolescents, and
- Explain and synthesize characteristics of effective teaching and learning for young adolescents.
Student Learning Outcome 2 (Planning):
Candidates in the BSED in Middle Grades Education Program, by the end of the student teaching semester (clinical practice), will plan effective teaching and learning experiences for diverse learners based on the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions required for the teaching context.
Candidates will:
- Develop guiding essential questions as well as daily questions and objectives aligned to state and national standards to show what students should know and be able to do,
- Develop logical and sequential plans for units and lessons,
- Design and variety of developmentally responsive, challenging, empowering, and equitable student learning experiences that are aligned with objectives and standards,
- Include relevant, integrative, challenging, and exploratory teaching and learning experiences that are differentiated and responsive to student diversity,
- Create, select, and integrate a variety of materials, resources, and tools to support and challenge all learners.
Student Learning Outcome 3 (Instruction):
Candidates in the BSED in Middle Grades Education Program, by the end of the student teaching semester (clinical practice), will demonstrate effective instructional practices based on the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions required for the teaching context.
Candidates will:
- Select and adapt appropriate content-area and interdisciplinary instructional strategies,
- Engage students in active learning and support their higher-order thinking,
- Foster a safe and welcoming learning environment,
- Model inquiry, enthusiasm for learning, and respect for all students,
- Use a variety of communication techniques to explain concepts and engage students in learning.
Student Learning Outcome 4 (Assessment):
Candidates in the BSED in Middle Grades Education Program, by the end of the student teaching semester (clinical practice), will assess and analyze student learning in an effective manner.
Candidates will:
- Design and select assessments that are aligned to instructional objectives and that will show evidence of student learning,
- Design and select a range of formative and summative assessments,
- Develop and share assessment criteria, guidelines, and rubrics aligned with standards and instructional objectives,
- Provide students feedback for learning to indicate strengths and growth areas relative to instructional objectives,
- Analyze and use assessment data to adapt and plan future instruction.
Student Learning Outcome 5 (Dispositions):
Candidates in the BSED in Middle Grades Education Program, by the end of the student teaching semester (clinical practice), will demonstrate professional dispositions.
Candidates will:
- Demonstrate appropriate interactions and collaborations with all stakeholders,
- Model behaviors appropriate to educators,
- Demonstrate excellent communication skills related to verbal (written and spoken) and non-verbal forms of communication,
- Demonstrate a positive regard for all learners.
B.S.Ed. Professional Studies (Non-Certification Track)
The Middle Grades Education B.S.Ed. Professional Studies (Non-Certification Track) program provides students who are interested in education the opportunity to take coursework with planned minors and concentrations. The degree allows for choice in several areas leading to a broad background. This track does NOT lead to teacher certification.
Student Spotlight
“I had student-teaching placements every semester giving me awesome experiences and really building my passion for the career,” he said. “It made me more excited as I got to build relationships with students and teachers.”
Nathan Kistler, ’20
Compelled to mentor, graduate redirects studies to coach and teach. Read the full spotlight story on one of our Eagle Educators from the Middle Grades Education B.S.Ed. program.
Professional License/Certification Disclosure
The Department of Middle Grades and Secondary Education anticipates that graduates of the BSED Middle Grades Education (4-8) will be eligible to seek professional certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission as a certified teacher in their respective field.
The Department of Middle Grades and Secondary Education has determined the required classes and educational activities of these academic programs will qualify a graduate of this program to take the GACE exam for teacher certification in Georgia. The department has not determined whether these programs satisfy the requirements of all states and territories for teacher certification in Middle Grades Education.
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Last updated: 3/29/2024