BSEd in Middle Grades Education (Grades 4-8)
Admission into the B.S.Ed. in Middle Grades Education will be suspended for candidates who intend to enter the professional sequence of courses in Fall 2025 and Fall 2026. The program is revising its offerings and hopes to relaunch the program in Fall 2027.
As one of the oldest and most prestigious middle school-specific teacher certification programs in the nation, the B.S.Ed. in Middle Grades Education offers you unique opportunities to teach grades 4-8.
As a recognized leader in the field of middle school reform, we focus our degree program on the study of young adolescents and middle grades education.
Highlights
- Continually ranked in the top 5 by U.S. News & World Report
- Internationally recognized faculty
- Earn Georgia teacher certification in grades 4-8
- Certification in two subject areas
- Program uses a cohort-based model
- Various joint bachelor’s/master’s degrees are available through Double Dawgs Pathways
Curriculum
During the course of the program, all candidates will have an opportunity to work with children in each of the grade bands as required by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The grade bands are 4–5 and 6–8. Our degree program focuses on the study of young adolescents and middle grades education with a special emphasis on:
- School-university partnerships
- Diversity
- The development of positive learning environments
- Education for students from high-poverty and non-native English-speaking populations
- Middle grades curriculum, instruction, and assessment
- Subject-specific education (such as mathematics, science, etc.)
- Family and community engagement
- Civic education
- Middle school policy studies
Our courses cover topics such as:
- The philosophy behind middle schools
- Young adolescent learners
- Planning and instruction in middle schools
- The role of family-school-community interactions
You will take seven courses required by your major and 10 courses related to your area of emphasis.
Content-area courses give you the opportunity to study one of the following combinations in two content areas you plan to teach:
- Language arts and science
- Language arts and social studies
- Mathematics and language arts
- Mathematics and science
- Social studies and mathematics
- Science and social studies
Additional certification requirements include passing:
- Major requirements
- Area of emphasis requirements (10 courses)
- GACE II area of emphasis assessments
Our school-based field experiences include:
- First year
We place you in a middle-grades classroom with an experienced mentor teacher. - Second year
We place you in a different school context, and you’ll remain there the entire school year. You’ll teach part-time in the Fall semester and then as a full-time student teacher during the Spring semester.
Learn more about the Middle Grades Double Dawg Pathways
The Middle Grades Education program has Double Dawgs pathways that offer students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years or less to save time and money while positioning themselves for success after graduation.
- A.B. English/M.A.T. Double Dawg Pathway
- A.B. History/M.A.T. Double Dawg Pathway
- B.S.Ed. in Middle Grades Education/M.Ed. in Middle Grades
Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal .
Download 2023-2024 Four-Year Plan (PDF) Download 2024-2025 Four-Year Plan
How to Apply
Part 1: Apply to the University of Georgia
Students must be accepted to UGA before entering a College of Education program.
Part 2: Apply to the B.S.Ed. in Middle Grades Education (Grades 4-8)
The B.S.Ed. in Middle Grades Education (Grades 4-8) admits cohorts for Fall semesters only.
Eligibility Requirements
- Overall GPA of 2.50
- No more than nine hours remaining in Core Areas I-VI (not including in-progress coursework)
- Completion of (or current enrollment in) EDUC 2120/2120E, EDUC (EPSY) 2130/2130E, and a Sociocultural Foundations Course
Application Materials
To apply to the Middle Grades Education program, use the College’s Major application, linked below. In your application, you’ll submit the following materials:
- Resume
A particular format is not required. - Unofficial Transcript
Applicants should upload a copy of their unofficial transcripts in a single PDF file. - Statement of Purpose
Examine the Middle Grades Education Program’s commitments and respond to the three application questions. Each response should be 350-500 words. You will be required to attach your responses to these questions in the electronic Middle Grades Education Program Application.
Go to the Commitments and Application Questions
Program Requirements for Admitted Students
- Complete Areas I-VI of the core curriculum
- Maintain a 2.5 GPA (overall and cumulative)
Student Outcome Data
Additional Resources
Please use our online form if you have any questions for the department. Please be as specific as possible so that we may quickly assist you.
The College’s programs are taught by dedicated faculty who are experts in a range of areas and are passionate about helping students succeed both in their programs and professionally.
All undergraduate students at UGA meet with an academic advisor each semester. This meeting is critical to student success and provides a chance to discuss courses and electives, certification criteria, and general graduation requirements.
Almost all in-state students begin their studies at UGA paying limited tuition or fees. Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are meant to give prospective students an idea of the costs associated with a degree at the University of Georgia College of Education.
Students may qualify for a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and other financial awards to help offset the cost of tuition, housing, and other expenses.
Through our partnership with the UGA/Clarke County schools’ Professional Development School District, we use an innovative student-centered approach to improve quality of education. You benefit from collaborations with experienced teachers and faculty through this partnership.
As a middle grades education student, you’re eligible to join the UGA student chapter of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE). AMLE serves to advance the education of students between the critical ages of 10 to 15 years.
Enrich your student experience through hundreds of other campus organizations. For more information, visit the Center for Student Organizations.
See for yourself how much UGA College of Education has to offer! Schedule a tour of campus to learn more about the UGA student experience.