Degrees Offered:
Bachelor of Science
Middle School Education Major
Overview
With Barton’s Middle School Education program, you’ll be qualified to teach in grades six through nine as a teacher of mathematics, science, English language arts, or social studies. And because of the structure of our program, we’re able to offer you the flexibility to complete the required coursework to earn North Carolina licensure in two subject areas.
Middle School Education Special Features
Barton’s program is based on the conceptual framework of the Evolving Professional Teacher. This means you’ll develop a deep knowledge of your selected content areas of study, strong pedagogical skills, cultural responsiveness, and leadership skills. It also means that when you graduate, you’ll leave with a love of learning, a desire for continued professional growth, self-confidence, and the ability to be self-reflective.
You’ll work with a variety of faculty members in Barton’s School of Education, all of whom have a wide range of experience as public school teachers and as college faculty. Once you’ve decided on your subject area of concentration, you’ll be able to study predominantly with faculty members who have that expertise.
Dr. Jackie Ennis, the program coordinator, has 15 years of experience as a middle grades public school teacher and more than a decade as part of Barton’s faculty. She’ll work closely with you to design a program of study that fits your unique needs for licensure.
Invest in Your Success at Barton College
Course Information
For each content area of licensure, a student must complete 24 hours of coursework in the content area.
Required courses for all middle school education majors include:
- Practicum: Introduction to Teaching
- Learners and Learning in the 21st Century
- Introduction to Exceptional Children
- Practicum: Human Growth & Development
- Curriculum Development
- Classroom Assessment
- Practicum: Reading Laboratory
- Literacy in Content Areas: Middle, Secondary, and Special Subject Teachers
- Instructional Technology
- Middle and Secondary School Methods
- Differentiation Instruction for 21st Century Learners
And, one of the following methods courses, selected for the specific licensure area:
- Social Studies K-6
- Math K-6
- Science K-6
- Language Arts K-6
Internships
We are strongly committed to field experience. In fact, your very first education class is a practicum experience in a public school classroom. You’ll also have field experiences during your sophomore and junior years. In the fall of your senior year, you’ll observe and participate one day a week in the classrooms where you’ll be student teaching in the spring.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities abound in public schools across the nation for people who are qualified to teach in the middle grades. You’ll also have the advantage of Barton’s excellent reputation with area school districts.
You may choose to earn a graduate degree in the field of education, including middle school education, curriculum and instruction, and instructional leadership.
Successful Graduates
There are many Barton graduates working in the Wilson County Schools, Nash-Rocky Mount Schools, Johnston County Schools, and Wayne County Schools. Our alumni welcome our prospective students into their classrooms, and they often serve as cooperating teachers for student teachers.
Clubs and Organizations
All education majors are encouraged to join the Student National Education Association, which provides benefits and opportunities for student teachers.
Barton’s chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education recognizes students who meet the qualifications and who demonstrate commitment to the field of education.
School of Education
The Barton College Teacher Education program is approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The Teacher Education faculty members are highly qualified professionals who have experience teaching in public schools. Students are placed into the field early and have strong support from the community of public school partners, college faculty, and learners in the Teacher Education Program.