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 Master’s Program by taking graduate coursework during the senior year. Students can currently choose from Reading Education and Special Education.

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.

Professional Licensure

This is a program that can lead to licensure or certification in North Carolina. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.

If this applies to you, check the Professional Licensure webpage for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at App State at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.

People

Alumni Profile: App State leads nation in board certified teachers

For the sixth consecutive year, App State tops the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards’ list of “Top 50 Alma Maters by Total Number of NBCTs,” leading the nation for the number of National Board Certified Teachers — 2,211.
Student Profile: Charlcy Carpenter

“App State felt like home from the very first visit, and I knew the RCOE would foster my passion for teaching.”
– Charlcy Carpenter, winner of the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Western Region Outstanding Mathematics Education Student Award in 2018

Courses

Program of Study
Four Year Guide

Click on the pdf for your major
NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

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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Degrees

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Costs and Aid

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.
Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Location

Boone and Hickory*

Learn more about the online Middle Grades Education program (science and social studies concentration).

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

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. Chris Cook
Middle Grades Program Director
828-262-6062
cookcm5@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 and Instruction, Family and Child Studies, Human Development and Psychological Counseling, Leadership and Educational Studies, and Reading Education and Special Education.
Teacher preparation
- Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
- Appalachian offers the largest undergraduate teacher preparation program in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. There is at least one RCOE graduate working 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.
- The Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork, located in Walkertown, North Carolina, serves over 300 K-5 students. The Academy provides a balanced education through the implementation of research-based practices, state-of-the-art literacy instruction, and exemplary classroom instruction and administration.
Graduate programs
- The School of Graduate Studies’ Accelerated Admission program, in which select undergraduate students can fulfill both undergraduate and graduate course requirements in their senior year toward the completion of a graduate degree program, is offered in: higher education, reading education and special education.
- Other education-related master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.