Academic Programs - Middle School Education
The University of Georgia Department of Elementary and Social Studies Education is one of the top departments in the country offering courses of study in Middle School Education.
INITIAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Georgia middle school (grades 4-8) initial certification may be obtained through the one of two degree options: a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) or a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.). During the program, students develop an understanding of the unique cognitive, social, and emotional needs of young adolescents. Students enrolled in these programs specialize in one of the following areas of emphasis:
- Language Arts and Science
- Language Arts and Social Studies
- Mathematics and Language Arts
- Mathematics and Science
- Social Studies and Mathematics
- Science and Social Studies
PROFESSIONAL DEGREE PROGRAMS
Students may enhance their preparation as teachers or develop expertise as teacher educators in master’s, specialist, and doctoral programs in middle school education.
The master’s-level advanced preparation program is intended to extend and blend the theoretical and practical understanding of students who already hold initial certification. Students are encouraged to become more familiar with research and are provided opportunities to develop their skills as action researchers.
Specialist of Education (Ed.S.)
The specialist program is most often selected by individuals who focus their careers primarily on teaching and curriculum leadership at the pre-collegiate level. Students with a specialist degree do sometimes go on to complete a doctorate.
Doctorate of Education (Ph.D.)
Those who aspire to teach and conduct research at the college or university level should select the doctoral program. Classroom teachers may, however, select the doctoral program with the intention of staying in or returning to the classroom after completing the degree. The greater the interest in becoming a researcher, the more likely that the choice should be the doctoral program.
In the doctoral program, students are expected to develop research and teaching skills, engage in intensive study of educational issues, and conduct and disseminate original educational research. Unlike masters or specialist programs, which can typically be completed in a year of full-time or two years of part-time study, the doctoral program requires more than three years of intensive study and research. The program of study is not simply a list of courses to be completed but a comprehensive set of experiences that the student designs with the support of the major professor and advisory committee, and the dissertation is expected to be a unique contribution to the scholarly literature.
A number of doctoral students also work as graduate assistants, which gives them opportunities to develop their skills as teachers of undergraduates and to sharpen their research skills. In addition to becoming college or university faculty, graduates of the program sometimes take leadership positions in school districts, government agencies, or other educational organizations.
