| Department: | Department of Teacher Education / College of Education and Human Performance |
| Hours Required: | 120 |
| Categories: | Major, Undergraduate |
| Delivery: | On-Campus |
The B.S.E. in Middle School Education consists of 120 credit hours and prepares candidates to work as middle school teachers in their selected content area(s) of language arts, mathematics, science (STEM), or social studies. SAU also offers degrees in math, English, social studies, chemistry, and foreign language for those seeking secondary licensure. The middle school and secondary education tracks allow candidates to focus on specific content areas of most significant interest.
Additionally, for those who choose the middle school pathway upon degree completion and standard licensure, completers may seek to add secondary licensure to their current license by passing a content exam in an area of choice. Then after passing the test, the completer can add that content area to their standard license.
The Middle and Secondary programs of study are approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and meet Arkansas academic requirements for licensure. Middle and Secondary content areas are critical shortage areas in Arkansas, and employment opportunities are high.
Most courses in these programs are taught in a traditional face-to-face classroom setting on the SAU campus, but several hybrid and online course offerings are provided within the programs. The hybrid and online course offerings help candidates create a more flexible schedule conducive to preparing a personalized plan that meets individual needs.
Middle and Secondary Education majors may add a select group of courses to their degree plan and receive a coaching endorsement for those interested in coaching. Upon completing the degree program, coaching endorsement coursework, and licensure exams, completers can obtain a teaching license in a highly desired content area and credentials for coaching.
Program Expectations
Pre-candidates must meet the requirements for admission into the Teacher Education Program before advancing in the core and upper-level education coursework. Many unique field experiences are incorporated into courses to enable candidates to work with teacher mentors in public schools. Organized campus-based experiences allow candidates to practice their teaching skillsets. Candidates must meet unconditional admissions requirements to enroll in their final semester of student teaching.
Learning Goals
- Our graduates demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively through various mediums.
- Our graduates demonstrate an understanding of the various cultures and backgrounds of students in the classroom.
- Our graduates can think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions.
- Our graduates utilize instructional technology effectively.
- Our graduates display mastery of content knowledge, pedagogy, and professional skills.
Degree Concentration Options
Select the degree plan option with the two content concentration areas desired for teacher licensure.
Middle School Education – STEM
This middle school degree plan prepares candidates for teaching and licensure in math and science in grades 4 – 8 and 9th-grade physical science and algebra.
Middle School Education – Math and Language Arts
This middle school degree plan prepares candidates for teaching and licensure in math and language arts in grades 4 – 8 and 9th-grade algebra.
Middle School Education – Math and Social Studies
This middle school degree plan prepares candidates for teaching and licensure in math and social studies in grades 4 – 8 and 9th-grade algebra.
Middle School Education – Language Arts and Social Studies
This middle school degree plan prepares candidates for teaching and licensure in language arts and social studies in grades 4 – 8.
Middle School Education – Language Arts and Science
This middle school degree plan prepares candidates for teaching and licensure in language arts and science in grades 4 – 8 and 9th-grade physical science.
Middle School Education – Science and Social Studies
This middle school degree plan prepares candidates for teaching and licensure in science and social studies in grades 4 – 8 and 9th-grade physical science.
Please note: Completers from the middle school degree programs who obtain a standard license are eligible to take and pass any secondary content exam and add that to their license.
Secondary English Education
This English education degree plan prepares candidates for teaching and licensure in 7th-12th grade English.
Secondary Math Education
This math education degree plan prepares candidates for teaching and licensure in 7th-12th grade math.
Secondary History Education
This history education degree plan prepares candidates for teaching and licensure in 7th-12th grade history.
Secondary Foreign Language
This foreign language education degree plan prepares candidates for teaching and licensure in 7th-12th grade foreign language.
Please note: Completers from secondary education degree programs who obtain a standard license are eligible to take and pass any middle school content exam and add that to their license.
