Urban-centered and field-based, Cleveland State University’s teacher licensure program in middle childhood education combines advanced course work in the arts and sciences, rigorous study in the theory and methodology of teaching, and challenging field experiences to prepare students for professional teaching careers in grades 4-9. Students gain a solid foundation in science and liberal arts subjects and develop expertise in two of the following middle school teaching fields for licensure: reading and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. In addition, they develop a firm understanding of the unique cognitive, social, and emotional needs of young adolescents, with an emphasis on human variability in development. Through supervised field experiences and supporting course work, students also gain the knowledge and skills needed to create enriching, child-centered environments for learning and further learn how to adapt those environments to meet the needs of the diverse students in their classes. The capstone of the program is a semester-long, supervised student teaching experience during which middle childhood education majors are required to plan and teach formal lessons and units, employ a variety of teaching methods, participate in professional development and extra-curricular activities, participate in parent-teacher conferences, and assess student outcomes.

Beginning with their initial professional education class, students create and continue to develop professional portfolios. These are used to assess student progress and to demonstrate professional development, eventually becoming a showcase for a student’s teaching competence.

Having met current curriculum guidelines set by the National Middle School Association, the program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the Ohio Department of Education.

For 2004-05, the College of Education and Human Services reports passage rates ranging from 92 to 100 percent on the various national Praxis II qualifying teacher licensure exams for middle school social studies, language arts, mathematics, and science. For the same time period, the corresponding passage rate on the Praxis II Principles of Teaching and Learning Test for Grades 5-9 was 90 percent. Moreover, during their initial two years of employment, all program graduates passed the Praxis III Classroom Performance Assessment needed to advance from a two-year provisional to a five-year professional teaching license.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The Middle Childhood Education program prepares students for teaching positions in grades 4-9. Eligibility for specific positions in both public and private schools is limited to the two subject areas selected for concentration. Graduates of Cleveland State University’s middle childhood education program usually elect to teach in Northeastern Ohio, but are in demand nationwide. Employment opportunities depend, in part, on the fields of specialization chosen by the student with concentrations in mathematics and science being in greatest demand. Graduates of the programs also move on to related fields and graduate programs where teaching skills and experience are valuable assets. These include positions as school counselors, principals, curriculum specialists, and staff developers.

PROGRAM

Full acceptance to the program requires completion of 30 semester hours of course work with a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better. Likewise, proficiency in English and mathematics is required as demonstrated by successful completion of ENG 101 and a college-level mathematics course with a minimum grade of C.

Required course work varies depending on the two areas selected for licensure. In addition to general education requirements, middle childhood education majors complete 44 hours of professional education courses and 35-54 hours of concentrated course work in the two teaching fields selected for licensure. Students meet professional standards by maintaining a 2.50 overall grade point average, a 2.50 grade point average in each subject area of concentration, and a 2.75 grade point average in professional education courses. Classes that do not require fieldwork are frequently offered in the evenings. Students must, however, be available for field placements in area schools during the day.

RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE FOR MIDDLE CHILDHOOD EDUCATION MAJOR

Students are required to complete 129-162 semester hours of course work that includes university, college and major field requirements. Depending on which two subject areas of concentration are selected for focus, this program can take more than four years to complete, especially when summer registration is not an option. To facilitate timely degree completion and avoid scheduling problems, middle childhood majors are especially encouraged to meet with an advisor in the Education Student Services Center (RT 1401, 216-687-4625) early in their academic careers.

First Semester (16-17 credits) ASC 101 Introduction to University Life ENG 101 English I MTH 127 or MTH 328 Math and Logic Requirement* HIS 101 or 102 Western Civilization Non-Western Requirement** Second Semester (17 credits) ENG 102 English II MTH 128 or MTH 329 Math and Logic Requirement*** BIO 106 Human Biology in Health and Disease BIO 107 Human Biology Lab PSY 220 Child Development EDB 200 Teaching as a Profession Third Semester (15-18 credits) Arts and Humanities Requirement-Literature Course**** GEO 100 Intro to Geology GEO 101 Intro to Geology Lab PSY 221 Adolescent Psychology EDC 300 Diversity in Educational Settings MTH 129 or MTH 326 Math and Logic Requirement***** Fourth Semester (16-17 credits) PSC 111 American Government EDB 300 Educational Technology EDB 301 Social Foundations of Education EDB 302 Psychological Foundations of Education HPR 101 Wellness as a Lifestyle African American Experience Requirement****** Fifth Semester (16-20 credits) EDB 303 Teaching and Management in the Middle School EDB 304 History and Philosophy of the Middle School EDL 300 Phonics Assessment and Instruction EDL 301 Beg/Int Reading Instruction and Assessment 2 Concentration Requirements Sixth Semester (15-22 credits) EDL 305 Content Area Literacy Arts and Humanities Requirement-Literature Course 3 Concentration Requirements Seventh Semester (17-19 credits) EST 371 Practicum – Middle Childhood EDM 313, 315, 316, or 317 Methods Course Concentration 1 EDM 313, 315, 316, or 317 Methods Course Concentration 2 EDL 313 Literature-based Reading for Adolescents 1 Concentration Requirement Eighth Semester (15-17 credits) EST 481 Student Teaching-Middle Childhood EDB 400 Classroom Assessment 0-1 Concentration Requirements Ninth Semester (12 credits) 0-5 Concentration Requirements

Credits 1 4 4 4 3-4 Credits 3 4 3 2 3 2 Credits 3-4 3 1 3 3 2-4 Credits 4 2 3 3 1 3-4 Credits 3 1 3 3 6-10 Credits 3 3-4 9-15 Credits 3 4 4 3 3-5 Credits 10 2 0-5 Credits 0-24

* Notes

*If mathematics is an area of concentration, take MTH 328; if not, take MTH 127.

**If social studies is a concentration, take ANT/PSC/HIS 227 for Non-Western requirement.

***If mathematics is an area of concentration, take MTH 329; if not, take MTH 128.

****If language arts is a concentration, take ENG 206 for one of two Arts and Humanities Literature requirements.

*****If mathematics is an area of concentration, take MTH 326; if not, take MTH 129.

******If language arts is a concentration, recommend ENG 207 or 208 or 347 be taken to meet African-American Experience requirement; if social studies is a concentration, an ANT, HIS, PSC, SOC, or UST offering that meets this university requirement is suggested.

Subject Area Concentrations
Students select two subject areas of specialization as required for middle childhood licensure by the Ohio Department of Education. Beyond specified courses contained in the recommended sequence above, additional requirements for all four possible concentrations follow. The suggested semester course load can be reduced to accommodate required field experiences and/or personal scheduling needs by registering for summer classes and/or extending to five years the time needed to complete program requirements.

Social Studies Concentrations (30 credits)
ECN 201 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
HIS 111 US History to 1877 (4)
ECN 202 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
HIS 112 US History Since 1877 (4)
HIS 200 Introduction to Geography (4)
HIS 370 World History (4)
HIS 306 or HIS 400 Ohio or Local History (4)
PSC 221 or PSC 231 Comparative or International Politics (4)

Reading and Language Arts Concentration (15-16 credits)
COM 225 or ENG 304 Media or Creative Writing (4)
ENG 310 or ENG 311 Traditional Grammar or Linguistics (4)
COM 242 or DRA 225 Public Speaking or Acting (3-4)
ENG 240 or ENG 241 Intro to Poetry or Fiction and Drama (4)

Science Concentration (20 credits)
PHY 400 Conceptual Physics for Middle School (5)
BIO 380 Biology Content for Middle School (5)
EVS 380 Earth System Science for Middle School (5)
CHM 380 Principles of Chemistry for Middle School (5)

Mathematics Concentration (8 credits)
MTH 327 Algebra and Functions for Middle School (4)
MTH 330 Conversational Calculus for Middle School (4)

For more information, contact:
Education Student Services Center
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue, RT 1401
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
Phone: 216.687.4625
cehs.csuohio.edu

 

For official requirements for a degree in this major, see the Undergraduate Catalog for the academic year in which you were admitted to the University.