Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2016-2017 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2016-2017 Previous Edition

Middle Grades Education, B.A.


The B.A. program in Middle Grades Education qualifies graduates for the Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in two of the following four content areas in grades 6-9:  English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies.   Graduates of the program are prepared to meet the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards and the ten Interstate New Teachers Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) Standards for new teachers in Content Pedagogy, Student Development, Diverse Learners, Multiple Instructional Strategies, Motivation and Management, Communication and Technology, Planning, Assessment, Reflective Practice, and School and Community Involvement.  Graduates have specific coursework and clinical experiences in a variety of settings in order to learn and apply evidence-based knowledge and practices in the field of adolescent development and middle grades education.

Additional Admission Requirements


See the Admission to Teacher Education Programs heading  under the College of Education.

Degree Requirements


The Major in Middle Grades Education leading to the B.A. degree requires a minimum of 120-125 credit hours.

General Education Courses (31-35 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education program .  Students in this major should plan on taking the following courses that meet general education requirements and also satisfy courses in the major:

Science Concentration

Select any two courses listed in the concentration to meet both Natural Science and concentration requirements.

Mathematics Concentration

Select the following to meet both Mathematics and Logical Reasoning and concentration requirements:

Note:


* SPED 2100  and either EDUC 1100  or EDUC 2100  should be taken no later than a student’s Sophomore year; both must be completed with a grade of C or above to qualify for admission to the Teacher Education Program.

Note:


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

Concentration Courses (42-44 credit hours)


Select two of the following Academic Concentrations and their courses relevant to a middle grades classroom:

English/Communication Skills (21 credit hours)


Social Studies (21 credit hours)


Unrestricted Electives


As needed.

Degree Total = 120-125 Credit Hours


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, Licensure, and Recruitment (TEALR), 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 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).

Additional Requirements


The successful completion of this degree program includes meeting the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s licensure requirements for K-6 certification.  Consequently, additional requirements must be completed during the student’s program and are listed below.  Since state licensure requirements often change, additional work may be required to complete the program with a teaching license.

Planning Sheet

All education students are tracked through their program with a Program Planning Sheet.  The original planning sheet is uploaded to the advising system and lists all courses taken, transfer hours, General Education and minor requirements met, and courses remaining in the program.  Note that the University requires that the minimum number of credits in a degree program is 120 credit hours.

Clinicals

Some courses in the professional program include a clinical requirement where students complete specific activities or designated hours in an appropriate setting.  Clinicals are designed to expose students to diverse school demographics, locations, and programs.

Grade Requirements


Grades of C or above in all professional education courses are required.  An education degree minimum GPA of 2.75 and a minimum academic concentration content GPA of 2.75 are required. 

Recommendation for licensure must include:

  • A grade of A or B in student teaching with recommendation from Cooperating Teacher, University Supervisor, and Principal
  • A score of “Proficient” or “Accomplished” on all criteria for state-required electronic evidences, including licensure testing requirements

Honors Program


For details about the Honors Program in Education, visit the program page .

Internship


Students are required to complete a yearlong internship beginning the semester prior to student teaching and ending upon the successful completion of student teaching.  Teacher education candidates participate in the Yearlong Internship during the final year of the program.  During the first semester of the internship, students spend one day per week in an assigned classroom while completing coursework on campus.  During the second semester of the internship, students complete full-time student teaching in the same classroom.  Applications for this Yearlong Internship are due two semesters before student teaching.  See the Office of Field Experiences website for more information.

Suggested Curriculum


For the suggested course sequence toward completing the major, please see the Academic Plan of Study available online at academics.uncc.edu.  Consultation with an advisor is required.