Degree and Certification Overview

This degree is a bachelor of science in education in middle school education with an emphasis in social studies.

Additionally, upon successfully completing the initial teacher-certification process, the state grants you certification in middle school social studies (grades 5 through 9).

Program of Study

This program encompasses three areas of study:

Early Level

You are automatically accepted into Early Level with admittance to the University.

Course Work

The majority of your time in Early Level is spent completing your general-education requirements.

Course work through the College of Education & Human Development 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 Early Level 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).

Mid-Level

You must apply for admittance into Mid-Level. For more information about the application process, please consult your adviser.

Course Work

In Mid-Level, focus shifts to the field of middle school social studies education. Through course work, you consider different ways to teach social studies to middle school students.

Field Experiences

Spend at least 20 hours working in middle school communication arts classrooms helping to teach social studies to middle school students.

Advanced Level

You are assigned to a classroom for a 16-week, full-time internship under the mentorship of an experienced middle school social studies teacher.