Program Overview

Graduate Certificate: Middle Grades Education

The Graduate Certificate in Middle Grades Education at Temple University provides a non-degree pathway to initial teacher certification for individuals who want to teach students in grades 4 through 8. Designed for career changers or individuals teaching on emergency permits, this program prepares future educators to teach upper elementary and middle grades students across one or more academic content areas.

About the Certificate

• Time Limit for Certificate Completion: 4 years
• Campus Location: Main
• Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The graduate certificate can be completed on a part-time basis.
• Note: International students may not be eligible to apply for a student visa based on admission to the certificate program.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

• Application Deadlines:
  • March 1
  • November 1
  • Summer II: March 1
• Letters of Reference:
  • Number Required: 2
  • From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained to provide insight regarding the applicant's academic competence. References from college/university faculty are recommended.
• Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Significant coursework (i.e., the equivalent of a minor or better) and/or professional experience related to the intended certification area are preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A bachelor's degree is required. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is expected.
• Transcripts: Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all accredited institutions attended and/or from which credit was earned must be submitted.
• International applicants must also submit an official document, including a course-by-course evaluation conducted by a NACES-accredited organization, that validates completion and conferral of a degree, diploma and/or certificate.
• Statement of Goals: In 500 to 1,000 words, outline your interest in seeking a master's degree with a specific focus on the career to which you aspire, your interests, and your academic and job-related experiences that are relevant to the program.
• Standardized Test Scores:
  • The official score report must demonstrate a passing score on these two tests:
    • Praxis PA Grades 4-8 Core Assessment: English Language Arts and Social Studies (5154) - 152 minimum score
    • Praxis PA Grades 4-8 Core Assessment: Mathematics and Science (5155) - 164 minimum score
  • Additionally, to be eligible for certification, all applicants must pass the relevant Praxis Subject Assessment in their intended content area.
• Resume: Current resume required.
• Transfer Credit: Courses may be transferred from an accredited institution provided they were completed less than five years ago, are considered current, and are relevant to the certificate.
• Clearances: All admitted students must submit copies of the required Pennsylvania criminal background check, FBI criminal history, Child Abuse check, and TB test to the College of Education and Human Development's Office of Field Placement prior to enrolling in their first term.

Certificate Requirements

• Number of Credits Required to Complete the Certificate: 22
• Required Courses:
  • Plan of Study Grid Year 1
    • Fall:
      • MGSE 5404: Teaching Math in the Middle Grades (3 credits)
      • MGSE 5405: Teaching Science in the Middle Grades (3 credits)
    • Spring:
      • MGSE 5196: Reading and Writing in the Middle Grades (3 credits)
      • MGSE 5296: Citizenship, Cultures, and Social Studies Education (3 credits)
      • EDUC 5888: Supervised Teaching (4 credits)
    • Summer:
      • SPED 5106: Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities (3 credits)
      • TESL 5631: Foundations of Language Teaching: Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners (3 credits)