Middle Grades Education (BA or BS)
Department: Education
The Middle Grades Education program prepares you for the State of Illinois Professional Educator’s License (PEL) in Middle Grades Education, which qualifies you to teach children from fifth grade through eighth grade. Students must select a content area specialization (Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies) and have the option of adding additional endorsements to bolster their skills and knowledge (ESL, Special Education, additional content area) or a minor.
Middle Grades Education Professional Education Core Requirements (47 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 115 | The History of Education in the United States | 3.0 |
| EDU 116 | Introductory Field Experience | 1.0 |
| EDU 216 | Effective Planning and Instruction for Teaching | 3.0 |
| EDU 227 | Development of the Early Adolescent | 3.0 |
| EDU 228 | Strategies for Middle School | 3.0 |
| EDU 232 | Meeting the Needs of All Students within the Disciplines | 2.0 |
| EDU 235 | Methods of Teaching English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDU 280 | Exploring Diversity: Learners, Families, And Communities | 3.0 |
| EDU 307 | Novice Teaching Experience in Grades 5-8 | 4.0 |
| EDU 315 | Methods of Literacy II: Reading, Writing and Language: Grades 3-8 | 3.0 |
| EDU 345 | Guiding Learners: Creating Safe, Inclusive Learning Enviro Environments | 3.0 |
| EDU 368 | Content Reading for All Students | 2.0 |
| EDU 369 | Assessing All Students | 2.0 |
| EDU 491 | Student Teaching 5-8 | 12.0 |
| Total Hours | 47 | |
Students must complete one of the following content area specializations:
Literacy Specialization Courses (20 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 180 | Introduction to English Education | 2.0 |
| ENG 311 | Introduction to Language | 3.0 |
| ENG 320 | Young Adult Literature | 3.0 |
| ENG 391 | Methods of Teaching Writing | 3.0 |
| American/British Literature * | 3.0 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| American Writers | ||
| British Writers | ||
| Early American Literature | ||
| Modern and Contemporary American Literature | ||
| Medieval English Literature | ||
| Early Modern British Literature | ||
| British Romantic Literature | ||
| British Victorian Literature | ||
| Modern and Contemporary British Literature | ||
| Irish Literatures | ||
| Literature of Diversity * | 3.0 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Introduction to African American Literature | ||
| Introduction to Native American Literature | ||
| Introduction to Global Literatures | ||
| Women in Literature | ||
| Latinx Literature | ||
| African American Literature | ||
| Native American Literature | ||
| Literatures of Asia | ||
| Criticism and Interpreting Literature * | 3.0 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Foundations in American Literature | ||
| Foundations in British Literature | ||
| Interpreting Literature | ||
| Literary Criticism and Theory | ||
| Total Hours | 20 | |
- *
At least one course from the American/British Literature, Literature of Diversity, or Criticism and Interpreting Literature must be at the 300 level or above to ensure students meet the 40 junior/senior hour requirement.
Mathematics Specialization Courses (28-29 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 107 | Conceptualizing Math for Teachers I | 3.0 |
| EDU 108 | Conceptualizing Math for Teachers II | 3.0 |
| EDU 361 | Methods of Teaching Mathematics 6-12 | 3.0 |
| MTH 111 | Elementary Statistics | 3.0 |
| MTH 114 | Applied Finite Mathematics | 3.0 |
| MTH 115 | Brief Calculus With Applications I * | 4.0 |
| or MTH 121 | Calculus I | |
| MTH 300 | Topics for Middle School Math Teachers (Number Theory & Algebra) | 3.0 |
| MTH 300 | Topics for Middle School Math Teachers (Geometry) | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following: | 3.0-4.0 | |
| The Art of Mathematical Thinking | ||
| Brief Calculus With Applications II | ||
| Discrete Mathematics | ||
| Calculus II * | ||
| Total Hours | 28-29 | |
- *
If interested in pursuing an additional endorsement for grades 9-12, it is highly recommended that students take MTH 121 and MTH 122 Calculus II.
Science Specialization Courses (31 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 362 | Methods of Teaching Science 6-12 | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following SCI 10X Science through Inquiry I courses | 4.0 | |
| Science through Inquiry I: Motion (Biology, Physics) | ||
| Science through Inquiry I: Special Topics | ||
| Science through Inquiry I: Molecules (Biology and Chemistry) | ||
| Science through Inquiry I: Energy (Biology, Physics) | ||
| Science through Inquiry I: Water (Biology, Chemistry) | ||
| AST 300 | Astronomy: Our Glimpse of the Cosmos | 3.0 |
| BIO 111 | Introduction to Cell Biology | 3.0 |
| CHM 100 | Fundamentals of General Chemistry | 3.0 |
| or CHM 110 | General Chemistry I | |
| GES 101 | Principles of Earth Science | 3.0 |
| GES 102 | Principles of Earth Science Laboratory | 1.0 |
| GES 300 | Oceanography the Human Perspective | 3.0 |
| PHY 100 | Fundamental Physics Concepts | 4.0 |
| or PHY 107 | General Physics I | |
| SCI 302 | Science through Inquiry II: Ecosystems (Biology, Earth Science) | 4.0 |
| Total Hours | 31 | |
Social Studies Specialization (27 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 363 | Methods of Teaching Social Science Grades 6 - 12 | 3.0 |
| HIS 203 | American History and Global Systems to 1877 | 3.0 |
| HIS 204 | American History and Global Systems since 1877 | 3.0 |
| HIS 336 | Early Global History and Geography | 3.0 |
| or HIS 337 | Modern Global History and Geography | |
| PLS 105 | Introduction to American Government | 3.0 |
| Elective World History at 300 level or above | 3.0 | |
| Elective US History at 300 level or above | 3.0 | |
| Elective Economics Course | 3.0 | |
| Elective Social Studies Course | 3.0 | |
African American Studies | ||
Anthropology | ||
Psychology | ||
Religious Studies | ||
Sociology | ||
| Total Hours | 27 | |
Please note a minimum of 120 credit hours is required for baccalaureate degree completion.
Note: If students complete the Middle Grades Education program and pass both the middle school and high school content tests in their area, the students will be endorsed to teach in their content area in grades 5-12.
Optional English as a Second Language Endorsement (12 hours)
For middle grades education majors interested in the English as a Second Language endorsement, which would enable you to teach and work with students identified as English language learners (ESL) and/or multilingual learners, the following courses are required. These courses may or may not be part of your major or program. If you are interested in adding this endorsement, please discuss with your academic advisor.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 234 | Language Development | 3.0 |
| EDU 236 | Assessment of English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDU 237 | Practicum for Teaching English Learners I | 1.0 |
| EDU 240 | Practicum for Teaching English Learners Part 2 | 2.0 |
| ENG 311 | Introduction to Language | 3.0 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Optional Special Education Endorsement (9 hours)
For middle grades education majors interested in the Special Education endorsement, which would enable you to teach and work with students with high and low-incidence disabilities, the following courses are required. These courses may or may not be part of your major or program. If you are interested in adding this endorsement, please discuss with your academic advisor.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 391 | Characteristics and Methods for Learners with Developmental Disabilities | 3.0 |
| EDU 393 | Characteristics and Methods for Learners with Emotional and Learning Disabilities | 3.0 |
| EDU 426 | Assessments for Learners with Exceptionalities | 3.0 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Optional Additional Content Area Endorsement (min. 18 hours)
For middle grades education majors interested in adding an additional content area endorsement, which would enable you to teach multiple content areas, you would be required to take the specific content methods course (3 hours) and a minimum of 15 hours of related content area coursework. If you are interested in adding an additional content area endorsement, please discuss with your academic advisor.