Middle Level
The major in Middle Level Education (EDMS) is a field-oriented program designed to prepare you to teach students in grades five (5) through eight (8) in two difference content areas.
As a Middle Level Education major, you may begin taking some of your courses in your sophomore year (see suggested sequence of courses). However, the majority of your courses in this major will be completed in your junior and senior years; with student teaching in the final semester of your senior year.
The courses are structured so that you work with a cohort of peers throughout your program. You also learn about the growth and development of young adolescents at the same time as you work with them in local schools. In this way, you have the opportunity to observe, practice, discuss and reflect on the knowledge and methods you’re learning in your courses.
We hope you consider this valuable and rewarding career in education. For more information, please contact Dr. Tom Wacker at tdwacker@presby.edu.
Requirements for the Major in Middle School Education
Students who wish to teach at the middle school level will earn a B.S. in Middle School Education with a concentration in two of the following areas: language arts, math, science, or social studies. A common core of professional courses totaling forty-three hours is required of all students, and includes EDUC 201, 350, 371, 391, 392, 393, and 440; EDMS 341, 342, 394, 410, 411, and 412; PSYC 201, 213, and 303. Additional professional courses and courses specific for each area of concentration are listed below.
Concentration in Language Arts:
Students completing a concentration in language arts must complete seventeen additional hours, including EDMS 400; ENGL 219 and 313; three hours chosen from ENGL 201, 202, 203, 206, 207, or 209; three hours from ART/ENGL 300, ENGL/FILM/THEA 210, or ENGL/FILM 323; and three hours from ENGL 322, ENGL 324, ENGL 334, ENGL 338, ENGL/FILM 341, ENGL/FILM 343, ENGL 345, or ENGL 347
Concentration in Mathematics:
Students completing a concentration in mathematics must complete twenty additional hours, including EDMS 403 and MATH 201, 202, 208, 210, 221, and 309. It is crucial that prospective middle school education majors planning a concentration in math take MATH 201 and MATH 221 no later than their sophomore year.
Concentration in Science:
Students seeking a concentration in science must complete twenty-two additional hours, including EDMS 402; BIOL 101-101L and 102-102L; CHEM 101-101L; PHYS 121-121L and 211.
Concentration in Social Studies:
Students seeking a concentration in social studies must complete fourteen additional hours, including EDMS 401; GEOG 301 or 302; History 2200 and 2201; and PLSC 201 or 202.
Middle Level Program of Study: Possible Course Sequence
CO = Co-requisite ● POI = Permission of Instructor ● PR = Prerequisite ● RE = Recommended ● XL = Cross-listed
EDMS ● Middle School Education
341 Middle School Philosophy and Organization (3) This course will explore the historical perspective of middle schools and examine current trends and issues in middle-level schooling, curriculum, and research. Effective programs and practices in the middle school are explored. A minimum grade of ―C‖ is required.
342 Interdisciplinary Connections through Reading and Writing (3) (PR: Acceptance into Teacher Education Program) The focus of this course is the active engagement of students as readers and writers across the content areas. Students evaluate texts and learn ways to make reading and writing more meaningful for middle-level learners. A minimum grade of ―C is required.
394 Practicum in Classroom Management and Organization (1) (PR: EDEC/EDUC 392 ● XL: EDEC, EDEL and EDSD 394) This practicum in classroom management and organization provides for direct involvement in the school and classroom setting during the week of preplanning and the first week of school. Students study the school context; learn effective procedures necessary for the establishing, managing, and organizing a classroom; and participate in opening school experiences.
398 Honors Research (3-6) (PR: Acceptance into Teacher Education Program) Departmental Honors: Students with a 3.20 GPA in all courses and a 3.40 GPA in all courses in the major field may, with the approval of departmental faculty, undertake an honors research program during the junior and/or senior years. This program must include a senior thesis or project of exceptional quality and an oral defense of the paper or project before departmental members. This defense is to be open to the College community, and honors students will participate in all other defenses within their discipline. Students who successfully complete the departmental honors research program will graduate ―with honors‖ in the major field.
400 Middle School – Language Arts Methods (2) (PR: EDMS 341 and 342; SR status) A study of content-specific methodology for middle-level language arts. The course focuses on planning, instruction, assessment, teacher resources, technology, and classroom climate. Teacher candidates will work with middle-level language arts students, classes, teams, and teachers and will use middle-level language arts standards.
401 Middle School – Social Studies Methods (2) (PR: EDMS 341 and 342; SR status) A study of content-specific methodology for middle-level social studies. The course focuses on planning, instruction, assessment, teacher resources, technology, and classroom climate. Teacher candidates will work with middle-level social studies students, classes, teams, and teachers and will use middle-level standards, pedagogy, and assessments.
402 Middle School – Science Methods (2) (PR: EDMS 341 and 342; SR status) A study of content-specific methodology for middle-level science. The course focuses on planning, instruction, assessment, teacher resources, technology, and classroom climate. Teacher candidates will work with middle-level science students, classes, teams, and teachers and will use middle-level science standards, pedagogy, and assessments.
403 Middle School – Math Methods (2) (PR: EDMS 341 and 342; SR status) A study of content-specific methodology for middle-level math. The course focuses on planning, instruction, assessment, teacher resources, technology, and classroom climate. Teacher candidates will work with middle-level math students, classes, teams, and teachers and will use middle-level math standards, pedagogy, and assessments.
410 Observation/Assessment; 411 Planning; and 412 Teaching: Directed Teaching in Middle-School Education (3, 3, 6) (PR: Acceptance into Teacher Education Program; SR status and successful completion of all requirements for clinical practice) These courses provide for directed and closely supervised performance in the full range of duties of a middle-school teacher. Conducted in cooperating middle schools and accompanied by conferences and seminars. Students observe, assess, plan, and teach. A minimum grade of ―C‖ is required to receive the College‘s recommendation for certification.
442 Directed Studies (1-6) (PR: JR or SR status; departmental majors and students in teacher certification programs only; minimum GPA 2.5) Designed to allow the student to pursue a topic of special interest. A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation. Each directed study will culminate in a research paper or its equivalent. A department may, at its option, allow the hours earned in a directed study to count toward its major.
444 Internships (1-6) (PR: minimum GPA 2.5) A maximum of six hours credit may be counted towards graduation. Internships are graded on a pass/fail basis only. A department may, at its option, allow the hours earned in an internship to count toward its major.
446 Readings (1-6) Selected readings are open to students with sophomore, junior, or senior standing. Hours earned in these readings cannot be used to meet requirements for the major. A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation.
448 Research (1-6) (PR: departmental majors and students in teacher certification programs; minimum GPA 2.5) A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation. A department may, at its option, allow the hours earned in an internship to count toward its major.
450 Seminar (3) Seminars are regularly offered by various departments of the College. The requirements for these courses are individually listed.
452 Special Projects (1-6) Special Projects are open to sophomore, junior, or senior students who have a GPA of 2.25 and approval by the Provost. A maximum of nine hours credit may be counted towards graduation.
458 Special Topics (1-6) Special topics courses are those that cover subject matter that is not part of the regular curriculum. A special topics course must have the prior approval of the department and the Provost and may be offered twice. Students may enroll in and receive credit for an unlimited number of special topic courses as long as any prerequisites or other requirements are met.
