Middle Level Education (5-8), B.A.

Program Overview

Coastal Carolina University's Middle Level Education program prepares students for teaching grades 5-8 in South Carolina. The program emphasizes effective lesson design, subject matter expertise, technology integration, and meeting diverse learner needs. Students complete foundation courses, content area concentrations, and clinical experiences, including a yearlong internship, to develop professional skills and prepare for initial teacher licensure.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview:
The Middle Level Education (5-8) program at Coastal Carolina University is designed to prepare students for initial South Carolina teacher licensure in grades five through eight in at least one content area.
• Objectives:
The program's objectives are for students to:
• Design and implement effective lessons that adhere to standards, are informed by knowledge of adolescent development, curriculum, and best practices.
• Demonstrate subject matter expertise and pedagogical content knowledge.
• Integrate technology to enhance teaching and learning.
• Adapt learning environments, instructional strategies, and assessment techniques to meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Demonstrate leadership skills and professional behaviors.
• Engage in data-informed instruction and reflective practice.
• Understand the influence of family structures, communities, and cultural backgrounds on young adolescents.
• Program Description:
The program consists of foundation courses that provide a framework for teaching young adolescents; education foundation courses that focus on the art and science of teaching young adolescent learners; content area concentration courses that are defined according to the chosen content area(s); and clinical experiences that allow students to develop professional skills related to instructional planning, teaching, assessment, and classroom management.

Outline:

• Program Content:
The program includes the following content areas:
• Core Curriculum
• Graduation Requirements
• Foundation Courses
• Middle Level Major Requirements
• Middle Level Content Concentration Areas
• Structure:
The program is structured as follows:
• Core Curriculum courses can be taken throughout the program.
• Foundation courses must be taken before being admitted to the professional program in teacher education.
• Middle Level Major Requirements must be taken after being admitted to the professional program.
• Middle Level Content Concentration Areas must be taken after being admitted to the professional program.
• Students must participate in planned and guided clinical experiences each semester in area public middle school classrooms, including a yearlong internship during their final two semesters.
• Course Schedule:
The course schedule varies depending on the student's chosen content concentration area(s). Students should consult with their academic advisor to develop a personalized plan of study.