How to Apply
Important: The button below will take you to University Admissions. Use the following advice to correctly identify your interest in this program.
For select your degree in the Area of Interest section:
Thank you for choosing UMSL!
Make a Difference When it Counts
Campus-based program with field and practicum experiences in middle school settings culminating in Missouri teacher certification
The Middle School program is a small, personalized program that serves students who wish to teach middle school or junior high school students. It is a hybrid program, combining the child centered philosophy of elementary certification with a content specialization more typical of secondary certification. Middle school majors earn certification in one or more content areas for grades 5-9. They may be certified to teach math, science, communication arts, or social studies. Middle school majors explore the unique challenges and rewards of teaching students aged 10-14 and gain real world experience through internships and practicums at area schools. Students progress through the program in small cohorts supervised by professors with extensive middle school experience. UMSL’s middle school program is highly regarded in the surrounding educational community and, due to the limited number of students choosing this major, employment prospects are good.
Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)
To review this program’s national accreditation, please follow this link to review our AAQEP accreditation report.
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC SARA)
To determine if this program meets the reciprocity requirements for like state educational certification programs outside the state of Missouri, follow this link for further contact information and resources.
News
Education alumna Deitra Colquitt selected for Voices of Change Writing FellowshipThis area of specialization in elementary education prepares students to teach in grades 5-9.
University General Education and Graduation Requirements
B.S. Ed. degree candidates must complete the following General Education Requirements and Graduation Requirements of the University as outlined in this Bulletin.
| The courses listed below fulfill general education requirements and best prepare students for advanced education coursework and licensure exams. | ||
| First Year Writing | ||
| ENGL 1100 | First-Year Writing (MOTR ENGL 200) | 3 |
| Math Proficiency | ||
| MATH 1020 | Contemporary Mathematics (MOTR MATH 120) | 3 |
| or MATH 1030 | College Algebra (MOTR MATH 130) | |
| Communication Proficiency | ||
| EDUC 2222 | Interpretation: Connecting Audiences and Meaning | 3 |
| or COMM 1040 | Introduction to Public Speaking (MOTR COMM 110) | |
| Information Literacy | ||
| ED TECH 2230 | Information Literacy | 3 |
| American History and Government | ||
| POL SCI 1100 | Introduction to American Politics (MOTR POSC 101) | 3 |
| or HIST 1001 | American Civilization to 1865 (MOTR HIST 101) | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts | ||
| Choose any 9 hours from at least two approved fields. | 9 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Choose any 9 hours from at least two approved fields. At least one course must meet the cultural diversity requirement. | 9 | |
| Math and Life/Natural Sciences | ||
| Choose any 9 hours from at least two approved fields. | 9 | |
| Junior-Level Writing | ||
| ENGL 3100 | Junior-Level Writing | 3 |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Program Requirements
All students in the B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education, Middle School program are required to take the following Teacher Education courses. Each student must also select a content area and complete the required courses and certification assessments as specified by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Note for all emphasis areas:
Professional Education courses must be completed with a grade of C or better (a grade of C- or below must be retaken).
Beginning with those students graduating in May 2017 and receiving teacher certification, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires a 3.0 GPA in professional education courses, a 3.0 GPA in the teaching content field, and a 2.75 overall GPA.
Students must pass all required DESE certification assessments to receive the B.S.Ed. degree.
| Preparing for Teacher Education | ||
| The following courses must be completed prior to applying for admission to the Teacher Education Program: | ||
| TCH ED 1000 | Building Community, Culture, and Learning in Education | 1 |
| TCH ED 1001 | Early Clinical Experience: Community Agency | 1 |
| TCH ED 2000 | Becoming a Professional Educator | 1 |
| TCH ED 2001 | Early Clinical Experience: Schools | 1 |
| TCH ED 2209 | Foundations of Teaching in American Schools | 2 |
| ED PSY 2212 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| Teacher Education Program | ||
| The following courses are completed after acceptance into the Teacher Education Program: | ||
| TCH ED 3001 | Mid-Level Clinical Experience: Diverse Learners | 1 |
| TCH ED 3212 | Sociolinguistics and Communication in the Classroom | 3 |
| ED PSY 3312 | Psychology of Learning, Instruction, and Assessment | 3 |
| SPEC ED 3318 | Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| SPEC ED 4323 | Classroom Management and Positive Behavioral Supports in Inclusive Educational Settings | 3 |
| TCH ED 3310 | Introduction to Methods of Teaching | 3 |
| MID ED 4315 | The Middle Level School | 3 |
| TCH ED 4391 | Literacy for Adolescent Learners in Content Areas | 3 |
| SEC ED 4880 | Writing for Teachers | 3 |
| In addition to the above courses, students must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours in one specific content area, as well as the appropriate methods course: | ||
| MID ED or SEC ED 4XXX: Methods Course in Certification Area | 3 | |
| The program will culminate in the following practicum courses: | ||
| MID ED 4989 | Practicum I: Middle Level Education Site-Based Experience | 3 |
| MID ED 4990 | Practicum II: Middle Level Education Site-Based Experience | 12 |
Total: minimum 122 hours
- Teaching 113
- Initial State Teacher Certification 60
- Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) 49
- National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC SARA) 57
- Bachelor's 34
- Educator Preparation and Leadership (EDL) 110
- Fieldwork Included: Internship and/or Practicum 74
- School Teacher Certification 43
- DESE Middle School Language Arts (Grades 5-9) Certification 2
- Main Campus 133
- English 6
- Language, Literacy, and Culture 12
- Middle School Education 14
- Certification 75
- Undergraduate 34
- Undergraduate 34