Middle School Education

Georgia middle school (grades 4-8) initial certification may be obtained through the undergraduate middle school education program and through an "M.Ed. plus certification" option. The preservice teachers specialize in two subject areas from among language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies and develop an understanding of the unique cognitive, social, and emotional needs of young adolescents.

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.

Students typically choose either the specialist or the doctoral program for their terminal degree work, though students with a specialist degree sometimes go on to complete a doctorate. The specialist program is most often selected by individuals who focus their careers primarily on teaching and curriculum leadership at the pre-collegiate level; the doctoral program, by those who aspire to teach and conduct research at the college or university level. 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 master's 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.