Academic Programs - Middle School Education
Master of Education (MEd) Degree in Middle School Education
The Master of Education (MEd) degree in Middle School Education is most appropriate for applicants who are already certified to teach children in grades 4-8. However, individuals with certification in other areas and those who are not certified but who have an interest in the education of young adolescents may also find the program to be valuable. Note, however, that initial certification cannot be earned through the MEd program. Individuals seeking initial certification are directed to the department’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Middle School Certification program.
The MEd degree program is a non-cohort program that can be completed either part-time or full-time. New students can be admitted during any semester or term. Most required courses are offered only on the Athens campus. During the school year, all courses are offered in the evening for the convenience of full-time teachers. Summer session courses are often offered during the day.
The degree requires the successful completion of 36 semester hours of coursework and the MEd Exit Examination. Under normal circumstances, a full-time student can complete the program in one full year, including full-time summer school enrollment.
Admissions Guidelines
All application material must be received by March 1 for matriculation in either Summer or Fall terms, or by October 1 for matriculation in Spring term.
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. The cumulative grade point for all undergraduate courses should be 3.0 or above on a four-point scale. Before admission, applicants must take either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and should have a pre-August 2011 minimum score of 850 total and at least 400 verbal and 400 quantitative, a post-August 2011 minimum score of at least 146 verbal and 140 quantitative, or the Miller Analogies Test with a score of 402.
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit to the Graduate School:
- The Graduate School application form
- Application fee
- Two official copies of transcripts from all institutions attended
- Official scores from GRE or Miller Analogies Test
- Three names of references who will write letters of recommendation
- For international students, official TOEFL or IELTS scores
The application form, information regarding the GRE and Miller Analogies Test, and other important information are all available at the Graduate School website.
Applicants must submit to the Department of Elementary and Social Studies Education:
- A 2-3 page personal statement describing why you are pursuing this degree, why the Department of Elementary and Social Studies Education is the best place for you to pursue your goals, and what you hope to gain from your experiences as a graduate student.
- A resume or CV
Deadlines: All application materials must be received by March 1 for matriculation in either Summer or Fall terms, or by October 1 for matriculation in Spring term. If space is available, faculty may consider late applications.
Program Planning and Advisement
Upon acceptance into the MEd degree program, students will be assigned to a faculty advisor. Students must communicate with their advisor every semester to plan coursework and to be cleared for registration. Students are responsible for conforming to published policies and for carrying out procedural requirements such as filing appropriate forms in a timely manner.
Course of Study for the Master of Education in Middle School EducationThe Master of Education in Middle School Education degree requires at least 36 semester hours of coursework covering the four areas noted in the program summary, below. The degree requirements also include an Exit Examination and completion of two surveys, the department’s Multicultural Education Survey and its Exit Survey.Program SummaryEducational Foundations (3 semester hours)
EFND 7040 History of Education in the United States
EFND 7100 Gender and Education
EFND 7110 Race, Class, and Education
EFND 7120 Sociological Theories of Education
EFND 7140 The Social and Cultural Contexts of Teaching
EFND 7200 Multicultural Education in the United States
EPSY 6010 Foundations of Human Development for Education
EPSY 6800 Foundations of Cognition for Education
EPSY 7100 Individual Assessment of Development
Characteristics, Programs, and Problems of the Middle School (15 semester hours)
Required Courses:
EDMS 7030 The Middle School
EDMS 7060 Academic Community Learning
Elective Courses:
EDMS 7050 Teaching Young Adolescents
EDMS 7080 Curriculum Planning for the Middle School
EDMS 7090 Instructional Strategies for the Middle School
EDMS 7100 Evaluation of the Middle School
EDMS 7120 Children’s Social Lives
EDMS 7130 Teaching Styles in the Elementary Classroom
EDMS 7500 Action Research
EDMS 8020 Self-Instruction for Classroom Processes
EDMS 8100 Theories and Research on Teachers’ Thinking
EDMS 8120 Social Constructivist Approaches to Understanding Classroom Motivation
EDMS 8140 Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Learning Environments for Children and Young Adolescents
EDMS 8150 Research and Theory in Family–School–Community Interactions
EDMS 8180 Research in Multicultural Teacher Education
EDMS 8190 Mentoring in Learning to Teach
Middle School Subject Matter (15 semester hours)
Students must take at least six semester hours in two of the following subject areas: language arts/reading, mathematics, science, social studies. They should consult with their advisors about appropriate courses.
Research (3 semester hours)
ESOC 6990 Research Seminar in Social Studies Education
EDMS 7100 Evaluation of the Middle School
EDEC 7170 Evaluation of the Elementary School
ESSE 7500 Action Research
Other courses may be substituted by advisement.
