Middle Level Education Credential

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Math class

Teaching Middle Level Education

The add-on credential in middle level education is attached to an elementary or secondary certificate. The program is rooted in social justice principles and a clinical practice model. While working in middle schools across the state, teacher candidates focus on how to cultivate and sustain a more just and equitable world through their curriculum and critically reflective practice. Ultimately, they come to understand the unique strengths of middle level education and leave the program not only with added field experiences but with increased employment opportunities and a deeper level of preparation to improve the educational experience of the students they will be teaching.

State requirements consist of three middle grades professional education courses and appropriate content preparation for the field of instruction. The three professional education courses should be taken in the following order: MLED 230, MLED 331 and MLED 332.

Professional Courses

MLED 230: Young Adolescent Development in Social Contexts. 4 credits
This course addresses adolescent identity development as a time of exploration within the context of middle-level structures and policies, families and communities. 

MLED 331: Disciplinary Literacies with Young Adolescents. 4 credits
This course addresses traditional, critical and digital literacy practices at the middle level. Students develop, implement and reflect on lessons grounded in CCSS disciplinary literacies and content area standards. 

MLED 332: Curriculum and Assessment for the Young Adolescent. 4 credits
This course addresses curriculum and assessment at the middle level. This course challenges students to interrogate the curriculum and assessment choices they make and to cultivate their learners’ agency. 

Student Teaching

Because the required practicum hours are completed throughout the MLED coursework, students complete their student teaching in an elementary school (grades 1-6) or secondary school (grades 7-12), depending on which certification they are seeking.

Content Areas

Math

Required:
MATH 209: Precalculus (4 credits)
MATH 212: Calculus I (4 credits)
MATH 220: Formalizing Mathematical Thought (4 credits)
MATH 240: Statistical Methods I (4 credits)
MATH 324: College Geometry (4 credits)
MATH 409: Problem Analysis (4 credits)

Additional Recommended Courses
MATH 213: Calculus II (4 credits)
MATH 210: Trigonometry (4 credits)
MATH 436: Discrete Math (4 credits) 

Science

Required:
BIOL 111: Introductory Biology I
BIOL 112: Introductory Biology II
CHEM 103: General Chemistry I
CHEM 104: General Chemistry II
PHYS 101: General Physics I
PHYS 102: General Physics II

Choose TWO of the following:
PSCI 211: Intro to Astronomy
PSCI 212: Intro to Geology
PSCI 214: Intro to Meteorology
PSCI 217: Introduction to Oceanography