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Middle Grades Education (BS) - Language Arts and Mathematics

About

Young adolescents are a unique age group, in the midst of developing their adult identities. Appalachian State University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education prepares students to teach in sixth through ninth grades and be an advocate for this developmental age group. The degree leads to a North Carolina teaching license. Because middle school teachers often teach in interdisciplinary teams, Appalachian’s program prepares students to work alongside others when planning instruction, developing curriculum, and working with students and their families.

At Appalachian, we require our teacher candidates to pursue two concentrations among language arts, math, science, and social studies. This degree, Middle Grades Education (BS) – Language Arts and Mathematics, is one of six pairing options available to students. Candidates tell us they prefer this approach over having to learn all content areas, a requirement for elementary majors, or having to focus on only one subject, as with secondary education majors.

After Graduation

Employment: Our students are typically hired throughout North Carolina as well as in surrounding states such as South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee. While the majority of graduates opt to stay in the region, some graduates have been hired on the West Coast and some have accepted international teaching opportunities.

Graduate School: Qualifying students can participate in Appalachian’s Accelerated Admission from Baccalaureate to Master’s Program by taking graduate coursework during the senior year. This fulfills both undergraduate and graduate course requirements. Students will then take three semesters of graduate level courses to complete their Master of Arts in Middle Grades Education at Appalachian.

Appalachian’s Graduate Certificate in Middle and Secondary Teaching is a 19- or 24-credit-hour alternative teacher licensure program for candidates who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. It leads to recommendation for an N.C. initial teaching license and includes three semesters of coursework followed by a related field-based practicum.

Courses

Core courses, not including those from the academic concentration, are:

  • Literacy, Language, and Culture in the Middle Grades
  • Middle Grades Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
  • Middle Grades Internship
  • Middle Level Education
  • Teaching Young Adolescents
  • Program of Study
    Program of Study

    Click on the pdf for your major

  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide

    Click on the pdf for your major

  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

  • Middle Grades Education (BS) - Language Arts and Science
  • Middle Grades Education (BS) - Mathematics and Science
  • Middle Grades Education (BS) - Mathematics and Social Studies
  • Middle Grades Education (BS) - Science and Social Studies
  • Middle Grades Education (BS) - Language Arts and Social Studies

Minors

A minor is not required. However, the program requires teacher candidates to pursue two concentrations among language arts, math, science, and social studies.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Appalachian Educators – Open to all education majors. It sponsors service events and provides professional development and leadership opportunities.

Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA) - Its purpose is to better the advancement and recognition of middle grade educators.

Association for Middle Level Education

Kappa Delta Pi - The national honorary education fraternity

View all student organization contacts

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society. Opportunities for education majors include international student teaching (PDF).

Admission Requirements

Admission to Appalachian’s Teacher Education Program is required.

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Why Appalachian?

  • Graduates are hired quickly and often receive multiple job offers.
  • Appalachian was the first institution of higher education in North Carolina to offer specialized degrees for middle grades teachers.
  • This program has a long-standing commitment to excellence in middle level teacher preparation and is well-respected at the local, state, national and international levels.
  • This is a small, personal program in which teacher candidates take courses and participate in field experiences together for two semesters in a cohort. All students are known well by each other and by the middle grades professors.

Number of Students

More than 100 students in all Middle Grades Education degree programs combined.

Method of Delivery

On campus, plus off campus in Catawba County in either a full- or part-time program.

Learn more about Middle Grades Education Online and Distance Programs.

Careers

  • Adult Education Teacher
  • Athletic Coach
  • Athletic Director
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Guidance Counselor
  • Instructor, College/University
  • Media Center Specialist
  • Middle School Teacher
  • Missionary Worker
  • Resource Teacher
  • School Psychologist
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Teacher, Adventure/Outdoor Education
  • Teacher, Industrial Arts
  • Training Specialist
  • Tutor
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

View more career possibilities

Contacts

Reich College of Education

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Laurie A. Ramirez
Middle Grades Program Director
828-262-8008
ramirezla@appstate.edu

  • Department of Curriculum and Instruction

    The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers a broad range of comprehensive degree programs at the baccalaureate and master’s level. The department seeks to provide quality programs that emphasize an integration of academics and field experiences.

  • Reich College of Education

    Approximately 2,400 students

    • The Reich College of Education enrolls approximately 2,400 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree programs. It houses five departments:  Curriculum & Instruction, Family & Consumer Sciences, Human Development & Psychological Counseling, Leadership & Educational Studies, and Reading Education & Special Education.

    Teacher preparation

    • Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
    • Appalachian offers the largest undergraduate teacher preparation program in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year.  There is at least one RCOE graduate teaching in every county in North Carolina.
    • The Reich College of Education is recognized consistently in the annual Institution of Higher Education Performance Report by the State Board of Education.

    Close ties to public schools

    • The Appalachian State University Public School Partnership – which includes 125 schools in nine surrounding districts – provides sites for student teachers and interns as well as professional development opportunities for teachers.

    Graduate programs

    • 4+1 opportunities toward a master’s degree through the Accelerated Admission program are offered in: Educational Media/Computers (Instructional Technology), Elementary Education, Library Science, Middle Grades Education, Reading and Special Education.
    • Other education-related master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

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