Middle Grades Education

The middle grades are unique and transitional. We grow middle grades teachers with strong content background who are able to utilize a variety of instructional strategies in teaching. Thomas University's MGE graduates are prepared to meet the diverse needs of the students in their respective classrooms. Technologically, teacher candidates learn to provide a variety of instructional activities for students to enhance their opportunities for success. Helping you become a successful teacher is the commitment of our faculty.

Our program offers...

small class size
faculty advisor throughout program
four sequential field experiences
classes taught by professors and certified classroom teachers
frequent one-on-one interaction between students and faculty
technology integrated into all classes by InTech trained faculty
classes taught in model middle grades technology classrooms

For more information, e-mail TU Admissions or call 229-227-6925.

Admissions

Completion of the Thomas University Core Curriculum or an A. A. degree from an accredited institution with a 2.5 GPA or better.
50 hours of work with adolescents
Three recommendations from university instructors or supervisors
Successful completion of an interview
Successful passage of C-WRTE, a competency exam in Critical Reading, Thinking and Writing
Successful completion of the following courses or their equivalents:
- CSC 120 Computer Applications
- EDU 200 Introduction to Education
- PSY 125 Human Growth and Development

Progression Sheet

The progression sheet lists required courses and electives. It also allows students and advisors to track progress toward the BS degree in Middle Grades Education.
Click here to download progression sheet

Content Specialization

Middle grades teacher candidates complete two eighteen hour content specializations from Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. A faculty advisor will assist teacher candidates in selecting appropriate courses that meet graduation and certification requirements. Carefully selecting Lower Division Courses permits some of the eighteen hours to be taken during the Core Curriculum:

Language Arts — 9 hours
Mathematics — 9 hours
Science — 8 hours
Social Studies — 12 hours

The Middle Grades Education Program requires two eighteen-hour content specializations. Students will choose two of the following content specializations. Courses toward a specialization may be taken from among the following courses, or their equivalent.
(* Required by the Professional Standards Commission.)

Language Arts

The PSC requires that certificates in Language Arts include "coverage in spelling, English, grammar, composition, reading (other than the teaching of reading) and 3 semester hours in literature for the middle school student."
ENG 101 Composition I *...3
ENG 102 Composition II *...3
ENG 302 Adv. Expository Writing...3
ENG 303 Argumentative/Persuasive Writing...3
ENG 330 Word Origins...3
ENG 351 19th Century American Novel...3
ENG 352 20th Century American Novel...3
ENG 355 Literature of the South...3
ENG 361 Adv. Grammar/Syntax...3
ENG 390 Adolescent Literature *...3
ENG 401 Comparative Mythology...3
Minimum Hours...18

Mathematics

The PSC requires that certificates in mathematics include 3 semester hours in algebra, 3 semester hours in geometry, and the remaining hours in other mathematics content. (A maximum of 3 semester hours will be accepted in computer science.)
MTH 140 College Algebra *...3
MTH 160 Concepts of Math...3
MTH 170 Concepts of Math...3
MTH 190 Practical Calculus...3
MTH 210 Trigonometry...3
MTH 260 Logic and Reasoning...3
MTH 360 Geometry *...3
STA 250 Statistics...3
CSC 120 Microcomputer Applications...3
Minimum Hours...18

Science

The PSC requires that certificates in science include "at least three of the following areas: earth/space science, physics, biology, chemistry, and physical science."
BIO 101 College Biology I *...4
BIO 309 Conservation Ecology...4
BIO 323 Botany...4
CHM 101 Chemistry I...4
GLY 125 Physical Geology...4
GLY 226 Historical Geology...4
GLY 451 Environmental Geology...4
OCE 220 Oceanography...4
PHY 301 Physics I...4
ZOO 201 Zoology...4
Minimum Hours...18

Social Studies

The PSC requires that certificates in social studies include " 3 semester hours in geography, 3 semester hours in U.S. history, and the remaining semester hours in history, geography, economics, political science, and behavioral science."
ANT 201 Intro to Anthropology...3
ANT 340 Peoples of the World...3
ANT 440 Cultural Anthropology...3
BUS 210 Principles of Macroeconomics...3
BUS 211 Principles of Microeconomics...3
GEO 201 Geography *...3
HIS 101 Western Civ I...3
HIS 102 Western Civ II...3
HIS 201 U. S. History and Gov’t I...3
HIS 202 U.S. History and Gov’t II *...3
HIS 304 20th Century America...3
HIS 314 History of Contemporary Europe...3
HIS 321 Latin American History...3
HIS 421 History of the Middle East...3
HIS 434 African Nationalism...3
HIS 451 Georgia History...3
HIS 444 Contemporary Asia...3
PSC 201 American National Government...3
PSC 315 Political Geography...3
PSY 201 General Psychology...3
SOC 201 Intro to Sociology...3
SWK 315 Racial, Cultural & Minority Relations . 3
Minimum Hours...18