Program Overview

Middle Grades Education Program

The Middle Grades Education program at North Park University leads to an Illinois Professional Educator License upon completion. This program is designed to equip teachers with the necessary tools to support and challenge students during the significant time of growth and development in middle grades.

Program Overview

As adolescents begin to grow and mature, effective teachers are a necessity. Whether working in a public or private school, training as a middle grades educator will provide the tools to support and challenge students during this significant time in their growth and development. The program will challenge students to grow in academic areas, support their emotional development, and help them develop skills for their life ahead.

Student Teaching

North Park's teachers-in-training follow an extensive clinical experience program that culminates in student teaching. For at least 12 weeks, students will assume full responsibility for a classroom, including teaching, attending meetings, keeping records, grading, and meeting with parents. They will work with a cooperating teacher, and a North Park faculty member will observe them throughout the process, offering constructive feedback and advice.

Program Admission Requirements

North Park's School of Education offers teacher licensure programs approved by the Illinois State Teacher Licensure Board and the Illinois State Board of Education. These programs have specific admission criteria and requirements.

Featured Course

• EDUC 2120 Introduction to Teaching: Professional Responsibilities: This course is an introduction to the teaching profession, covering historical, philosophical, contemporary, and ethical perspectives on education and social and cultural expectations in teaching. Students will learn about the appropriate role of technology, state and national standards, policies governing education at the national, state, and local levels, and careers and organizations related to teaching and education. The course also introduces students to state licensure requirements.

Related Programs

• Elementary Education
• Middle School Endorsement
• Secondary/Senior High Education

Program Details

The Middle Grades Education program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education that prepares them to teach in a classroom. The program includes a combination of coursework, clinical experiences, and student teaching, all of which are designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to be effective teachers.