Bachelor of Science in Education - Middle Grades Education

Program Description

The Middle Grades Education program at Columbus State University prepares individuals to become proficient middle level educators who are responsible to the unique developmental nature and needs of young adolescents. The program provides content preparation in two teaching fields as well as a specialized knowledge base that emphasizes the philosophy, theories, research, exemplary practices and interdisciplinary focus of successful middle level programs. Pre-service teachers also participate in a variety of field experiences to develop the dispositions and performances needed to be effective teachers for young adolescents.

Educator Preparation at Columbus State University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

All educator preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Career Opportunities

The B.S. Ed. program in Middle Grades leads to entry-level Georgia certification and qualifies students to teach in grades 4-8.

Admission Requirements

During the sophomore year, students intending to complete a teacher education program make formal application to the teacher education program. Normally, this occurs after the student has completed three semesters of full-time course work. Application is made to the COEHP Office of Student Advising and Field Experiences. For additional information, go to http://safe.columbusstate.edu/teacher_ed.php

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to: 

• Demonstrate proficiency in planning instruction based on standards and knowledge of students
• Demonstrate proficiency in using a wide range of instructional strategies and differentiating instruction to help all students learn
• Demonstrate proficiency in assessing student learning and using assessment data to improve teaching and learning
• Display values, commitments, dispositions, and habits associated with effective and professional teaching

Additional Program Requirements

A review of student records is conducted each semester to determine whether a student is eligible to continue in the Teacher Education Program. Retention is based on the following:

• Maintain a CSU and Overall 2.50 GPA. If the grade point average falls below the requirement, the student has one semester to raise his/her GPA. Students who do not meet the GPA requirements after that semester must take additional courses other than the ones required for admission to teacher education.
• Students must earn not less than a C in field and professional courses. Only 10 percent of the professional and field courses may be repeated at CSU or another accredited college. Correspondence courses will not be accepted in field or professional courses.
• Students who fail to complete a degree program after three years from date of admission to Teacher Education will be excluded from the program and required to re-apply under current admission policies.

To be eligible for CSU's recommendation for a Georgia professional teaching certificate, students must complete a rigorous program of coursework. They also must meet certain other criteria required by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Please contact the COEHP Student Advising & Field Experiences office at 706-568-2191 or 706-568-2194 for further information.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:

Note:MATH 1113 is required for Math and Science Concentration (1hour applied to Area H)

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4-5
COMM 1110
Select two of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses: Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the extra hour may be used as an elective.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses: *ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 10-11
Select two science courses from the list below, one of which must include a lab.

Select one of the following courses or a science course from above:

Note:MATH 1125 is Recommended for Math Concentration

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3

PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
EDUC 2110 Critical Issues in Education
EDUC 2120 Diversity in Educational Contexts
EDUC 2130 Exploring Learning and Teaching

Area F Guided Electives by Specialization:
Select 6 hours from one area and 3 hours from a second content specialization
*Based upon area of specialization. Advisor must approve these electives to insure prerequisites are met for Area H Coursework.

Mathematics Specialization Required Hours: 3-6
MATH 1125 if not taken in Area D.
OR
MATH1131
MATH1132,
MATH 1165,
MATH 2125,
STAT 1127.

Science Specialization Required Hours: 6
CHEM 1211/1211L or CHEM 1151/1151L
GEOL 1121/1121L Intro to Geo-Sciences: Physical Geology

If the courses above are taken in Area D, students may select up to two of the following courses as guided electives or reduce total program hours to 12 4 with one elective.

*Note: Any extra hours are applied to Area H.

Language Art Specialization Required Hours: (3-6)
ENGL 2111
ENGL 2112
ENGL 2135

Social Studies Specialization Required Hours: (3-6)
HIST 1111 or HIST 1112 World History

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 28

Student Teaching Experience
EDCI 4485 Student Teaching
EDUF 4115 Classroom Management

Area H Program Electives Required Hours: 32-38
Select same two certification specialization as in Area F
MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus (1 hour from Area A or D for math or science concentration)

Mathematics Specialization: 16
EDMG 4222 Teaching Math in the MG 2
MAED 3137 Investigating Geometry and Measurement
MAED 3138 Exploring Statistics
MAED 5131U Algebra & Proportional Reasoning

Select one of the following:
MATH 1165
MATH 2125
STAT 1127

Science Specialization: 19-21
EDMG 4235 Teaching Science in the MG
Extra Hours from Area F Science Lab courses
ASTR 3105 Physics, Chem & Geol of the Solar System
BIOL 1215K Principles of Biology (includes lab)
PHYS 1111/1311 Introductory Physics I w/Lab

Selected one of the following:
ATSC 5116 Meteorology: Intro to Weather and Climate
GEOL 3266 Mineralogy
GEOL 5116 Meteorology: Intro to Weather and Climate
GEOL 5135 Oceanography
GEOL 5175 Physical Anthropology and Archeology
GEOL 5255 Environmental Geology

Language Arts: 16

Select one of the following:
ENGL 2155 /3145 /3148 /3149
Select one upper level English or English education course approved by advisor.

Social Studies: 16

Select one of the following courses:
Any 5000 level non-US history approved by the History Department

Total Hours Required: 123-129