BSEd in Middle Grades Education (Grades 4-8)

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

1. Continually ranked in the top 5 by U.S. News & World Report
2. Internationally recognized faculty
3. Earn Georgia teacher certification in grades 4-8
4. Certification in two subject areas
5. Program uses a cohort-based model
6. 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 .

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How to Apply

Part 1: Apply to the University of Georgia

Students must be accepted to UGA before entering a College of Education program.

Start UGA Application

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

Apply to the Program

Program Requirements for Admitted Students

• Complete Areas I-VI of the core curriculum
• Maintain a 2.5 GPA (overall and cumulative)

Student Outcome Data

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