Middle Childhood Education - B.S.E. Download to print

The Middle Childhood teaching license is designed for grades 4-9. Students choose two concentration areas from reading and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Upon completion of all program requirements, students are eligible for licensure in the selected subject areas, plus reading. In addition to content coursework and a substantial amount of field experiences, the program includes intensive pedagogy courses that prepare students to understand the unique social, physical, cognitive, and emotional needs of the young adolescent; these courses are taken as a cohort. Student teaching occurs during the final semester of the program.

While it is possible to complete the B.S.E. in middle childhood education in four years by taking 16-18 credits each semester, it is more probable that 4.5 years will be needed for certain combinations of concentrations.

Mathematics Concentration - The content coursework in the mathematics concentration includes classes in algebra, trigonometry, calculus, geometry and statistics.

Reading/Language Arts Concentration - The content coursework in the reading/language arts concentration includes classes in communication, grammar, literature, reading and writing.

Science Concentration - The content area coursework in the science concentration includes diverse classes in chemistry, biology, geology, and physics.

Social Studies Concentration - The content area coursework in the social studies concentration includes diverse classes in economics, history, political science, geography, and anthropology.

Preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and secondary school teachers, except special education, held about 4.0 million jobs in 2006. Of the teachers in those jobs, about 1.5 million are elementary school teachers, 1.1 million are secondary school teachers, 674,000 are middle school teachers, 437,000 are preschool teachers, and 170,000 are kindergarten teachers. The vast majority work in elementary and secondary schools. Preschool teachers, except special education, are most often employed in child daycare services (59 percent), public and private educational services (16 percent), and religious organizations (15 percent). Employment of teachers is geographically distributed much the same as the population.

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

For admissions, the College of Education, Health and Human Services considers a student to have established a Kent State University GPA after the student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours. Undergraduate students who have not completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours will be evaluated for admission into programs, Advanced Study, and the Professional Phase based on their high school GPA for new freshmen, or transfer GPA for transfer students. Once a student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours, only the student’s Kent State overall GPA will be considered for admission into a program, Advanced Study, and Professional Phase.

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a major and/or admission to professional coursework for a selective admission program. To be admitted directly into a teacher education program, it is required that new freshmen have a 2.750 high school GPA. Students who do not meet the GPA requirements of their intended major may enroll into EHHS General until which time they have established a Kent State GPA of 2.750.

Students seeking admission to this program must meet all professional requirements for admission to advanced study. To be admitted to the program, students must display evidence of adequate communication skills; sound content area knowledge (language arts, mathematics, science or social studies); a basic understanding of the teaching profession; a basic understanding of young adolescents; and dispositions aligned with the conceptual framework of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services, including being open-minded, flexible, caring and responsible. Faculty will select the most qualified applicants based on an interview; letters of recommendation; GPA and Praxis Core scores. Applicants to the MCED program should have experience working with young adolescence in a supervisory capacity, such as tutoring, camp counseling, volunteer work or related experience. Students should contact the College of Education, Health, and Human Services’ Vacca Office of Student Services, 304 White Hall, during the first year of study to inquire about the procedures and criteria associated with admission to the middle childhood education program.

For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

Minimum 128 credit hours. Minimum 2.750 overall GPA. A minimum grade of  C (2.000) grade is required in some courses; view the program requirements to see specific courses.

Licensure Requirement (not required for graduation):
Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass specific assessments in order to apply for licensure. See Ohio Department of Education-Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type. Taking and passing the licensure tests prior to graduation is encouraged but not required.

Students must apply for State of Ohio Licensure (defined by completion of all licensure program requirements) within 12 months of program completion. After 12 months, applicants must meet State approved program/licensure requirements that are in effect at the time of application. This means that students who apply after the 12 month deadline may have to take additional coursework if the content, methods courses, program requirements, or licensure requirements have changed from the catalog in force.

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and disposition needed to work collaboratively with diverse others.
2. Demonstrate content knowledge in 2 licensure specialization areas.
3. Demonstrate in-depth instructional and planning skills to effectively meet the needs of all their students.

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, Association of Middle Level Educators