Education - Middle Grades
Middle Grades Education
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The Middle Grades Education Program is part of a four-year program leading to a Bachelor's degree. Students choose two areas of content focus from the following: language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, or special education. A four-semester progression of course work includes a strong foundation in middle school philosophy, structure, and instruction with extensive field experiences in a variety of middle school settings.
Successful completion of the middle grades education (5-9) program leads to the degree of Bachelor of Arts and is the first step toward attaining certification to teach in grades 5-9 in Kentucky. Students wishing to enroll in the middle grades program must follow the admission guidelines for teacher education programs outlined by the College of Education and Human Services. It is suggested that freshmen or other interested students declare a pre-education major in middle grades education. Doing so will enable the student to be assigned to a teacher education advisor. The advisor will be familiar with the current curriculum and admission requirements as well as any impending changes that may occur prior to the student’s admission semester. Students pursuing a middle grades education program must complete at least two of the following teaching fields: English and communication, mathematics, science, social studies, or special education. Upon successful completion of this program, the graduate will qualify for an institutional recommendation for a Kentucky Provisional Certificate for teaching in the middle grades (5-9), with appropriate teaching fields.
Admission Criteria
The advisement process is particularly crucial for teacher education students. It is suggested that a student interested in education declare education as a major as soon as possible. This procedure will result in assignment to a teacher education advisor familiar with the current curricular and admission requirements and with any impending changes that may occur prior to the student's admission semester.All students interested in secondary education will have two advisors. One advisor will be in the content department and the other one will be an education advisor.
Teacher Education Program
Students should enroll in the EDU 104 course during their first or second semester at NKU.
After successful completion of the EDU 104 course and the specific course prerequisites, students can take the following education courses:
- EDU 300- pre-req: Psychology 100
- EDU 305- pre-req: EDU 104
- EDU 313
- EDS 360- pre-req: Psychology 100
Criteria for the Admissions Practicum
- Complete 45 semester hours of college coursework
- Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale OR a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the last thirty (30) hours of credit completed.
- Successfully complete the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) administered by the Educational Testing Service with the corresponding minimum scores:
- Pre-Professional Skills Test: Mathematics (0730) – 174 or
- Computerized Pre-Professional Skills Test: Mathematics (5730) – 174;
- Pre-Professional Skills Test: Reading (0710) – 176 or
- Computerized Pre-Professional Skills Test: Reading (5710) – 176;
- Pre-Professional Skills Test: Writing (0720) – 174 or
- Computerized Pre-Professional Skills Test: Writing (5720) – 174
- Successfully complete a FBI fingerprint background check.
- Complete the required application for admission.
Dates to apply for the admissions practicum:
- Fall - March 1 - July 1
- Spring - October 1 - December 1
To receive admission to the teacher education program a student must have:
- Attained a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
- Achieved at least a B in ENG 291 or equivalent or passed the writing sample examination.
- Achieved at least a B in CMST 101 or equivalent.
- Achieved at least a C in EDU 300, EDU 305, EDU 313, and EDS 360.
- Achieved a "P" in the Admissions Practicum (EDU 303, EDU 307, EDU 309, or EDU 311).
- Demonstrate the following skills: critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration. Demonstration of these skills will be determined in the following manner:
- Communication: CMST 101 and ENG 291 with a grade of B or better, or passed the writing sample evaluation.
- Creativity: Completion of any course under "Culture & Creativity: Arts and Humanities" with a grade of “C” or better.
- Critical Thinking: Completion of any course under "Scientific & Quantitative Inquiry: Natural Science OR Mathematics & Statistics" OR any course from "Self & Society: Individual and Society" with a grade of “C” or better.
- Collaboration: Completion of Admissions Practicum with a grade of “P”.
- Earned 60 semester hours of course work.
- Filed three teacher education recommendation forms by professional educators.
- Signed a curriculum contract.
- Received approval of the teacher education committee.
- Presented an approved portfolio.
Advising Center
859-572-6944
Catalog Info and More:
Lokesak honored for teaching
Lisa Lokesak, a graduate of NKU, was awarded the 2012 3C Outstanding Educator award, honoring innovative teachers who participate in the community beyond their teaching duties.
Lisa, a teacher at New Haven Elementary, also received special recognition when she was named runner-up for the 2011 Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year Award from the National Center for Family Literacy. The award honored Lokesak’s programs to increase literacy to children in low-income areas.
The concept was simple: If kids don’t have access to books, they won’t read. The solution: Lisa started the Book Blazer, a car full of books to give to students so they could read during the summer.
The colleges of education at NKU, Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati presented the award.
In addition to the Book Blazer program, Lokesak also helped start Family Literacy Nights where families are offered transportation, a meal and take-home activities for at-risk children.
“We were trying to get the family involved and not just tutor the kids,” Lokesak said. “All of the great projects happening at New Haven are the product of many teachers working together.”
(photo courtesy of The Community Recorder).
Contact Us: Teacher Education Program | COEHS | Phone 859.572.5624 | Email TeacherEducation@nku.edu
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