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Explore all Undergraduate Programs

Middle School Education

The knowledge and training you need to effectively teach students in grades 5-9.

College student speaking with a child
College student speaking with a child

Types

Bachelor

Location

On-Campus
Online

Credits

75*

Cost

$9,875
$220/credit hour

The middle school years are transformative. Be a positive influence during the process.

Children in grades 5-9 are unique; they aren't little kids anymore, but they aren't quite young adults either. In these pivotal years that are transformative for youth, you can be a stable role model who brings a little positivity into their day. From helping them strengthen their skills in a school subject, which boosts their confidence and prepares them for high school, to igniting a new level of interest in a subject, to being a listening ear, you can make a lasting impact on a middle schooler's life.

University of the Cumberlands' bachelor's of science middle school education degree program will give you an impressive, well-rounded foundation to education, enabling you to direct your course of study toward your specific career goals. Your degree in middle school education offers the opportunity to choose between specializations in mathematics, science, English/communication, social studies, and special education available, so you can focus on the subject you're most passionate about. Through your bachelor’s degree in education program, you’ll also have an opportunity for field study during your 12-week student teaching practicum at one of several schools within the district. University of the Cumberlands has great junior high partnerships, which can help maximize clinical experiences and provide UC students with relationships for seeking employment.

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

$61,320

Average Salary

4%

Industry Growth

5

National Distinctions

100%

Accredited, CAEP & EPSB
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog. 

General Education Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education

There is something special about those middle school years. At this pivotal time in students’ lives, it’s essential that they are guided by educational role models who can help them succeed in school and in life. Cumberlands' middle school education degree will give you all the education and training you need to become that role model for your future students.

Our on-campus and online middle school education degree programs are designed for students wishing to be certified to teach in grades 5-9. In addition to the General Studies and required Professional Education courses (listed below), students pursuing this option must also complete a specialization in mathematics, science, or English/communications, or social and behavioral studies or from special education learning and behavior disorders.

Major Requirements- 69-75 credit hours for one specialization or 93-101 credit hours for two specializations as follows, depending upon specialization: or 93-101 credit hours for two specializations as follows, depending upon specialization. 

Course Requirements

Middle School Education (5-9) is designed for students wishing to be certified to teach in grades 5-9. In addition to the General Education and required Professional Education Courses, students pursuing this option must also complete a specialization in Mathematics, Science, or English/Communications, or Social and Behavioral Studies or from Special Education Learning and Behavior Disorders. In fulfillment of the state curriculum guidelines, a list of the curriculum that will be offered to satisfy the specialization for middle school teachers is listed under Middle School (5-9) Education Emphasis Requirements.

A Bachelor of Arts degree requires completing the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of completing one foreign language sequence through the intermediate level.

  • FREN 131        Elementary French I
  • FREN 132        Elementary French II
  • FREN 231        Intermediate French I
  • FREN 232        Intermediate French II
     
  • SPAN 131        Elementary Spanish I
  • SPAN 132        Elementary Spanish II
  • SPAN 231        Intermediate Spanish I
  • SPAN 232        Intermediate Spanish II

Specializations

All middle school education degree students must complete at least one area of specialization.

Course Requirements

MATH 130*     Concepts of Mathematics for the Elementary and Middle School Teacher I 

MATH 132     College Algebra 

MATH 136     Pre-Calculus 

MATH 139     Concepts of Calculus or MATH 140     Calculus I 

MATH 230*     Concepts of Mathematics for the Elementary and Middle School Teacher II 

MATH 330     Geometry for the Elementary and Middle School Teacher OR MATH 331 College Geometry 

MATH 333     Middle School Math Methods 

MATH 335     Introduction to Probability and Statistics 

A second option for the math specialization allows for the substitution of a secondary teaching major or minor in Mathematics that includes MATH 331, 334, and 335 plus a two-course sequence in mathematics for the elementary school teacher (i.e., MATH 130 & 230). 

* denotes a General Education course

BIOL 133/113* Introduction to Population Biology/Laboratory

BIOL 134/114* Introduction to Cellular Biology/Laboratory

BIOL 246*  Biodiversity 

PHYS 241*  Physics I 

CHEM 132/CHEM 111*  General College Chemistry I/Laboratory 

6 Hours of Electives: 
Two additional courses (minimum 6 semester hours) in Biological, Physical, Earth Sciences, or Astronomy 

* denotes a General Education course

Required courses

ENGL 131*   English Composition I 

ENGL 132*   English Composition II 

ENGL 337   Literature of Adolescence 

COMM 230*   Introduction to Public Speaking 

ENGL 438   Advanced Writing or ENGL 439 DescriptiveLinguistics 

ENGL 334*   American Literature through 1865 or ENGL 335* American Literature since 1865 

The remaining 6 hours may be chosen from the following: 

COMM  332  Small Group Communication in Organizations

COMM  432  Theories of Persuasion

ENGL 230 Literary Criticism 

ENGL 431   Romantic Literature 

ENGL 433   Women in Literature 

ENGL 432   Studies in Modern Literature 

ENGL 437   Studies in British and American Authors 

 
Any of the options from choices above: ENGL 334*, ENGL 335*, ENGL 438, or ENGL 439 

* denotes a General Education course

HIST 137 World Civilization to 1648 

HIST 138*  World Civilization since 1648 

HIST 231*  American History to 1877 

HIST 232  American History since 1877 

POLS 233  American National Government 

POLS 235  Introduction to International Relations 

BADM137*  Macroeconomics OR BADM136* Microeconomics 

SOCI 131*  Introduction to Sociology 

SPED 234     Special Education Instructional Programs (P-12)

SPED 236     Special Education Programs for Adolescents with Mild Disabilities (5-12) 

SPED 238     Special Education Early Childhood 

SPED 336     Educational Assessment and Prescriptive Programming for Individuals with Disabilities (P-12) Part I 

SPED 337     Educational Assessment and Prescriptive Programming for Individuals with Disabilities (P-12) Part II 

SPED 435     Special Education Methods and Materials (Mild Disabilities) P -12 

SPED 436     Special Education Methods and Materials Emotional/Emotional Disabilities (P-12) 

Option 9 Education Certification Pathways

The influence of a teacher on a child’s life leaves an immeasurable impact. Now is your time.

University of the Cumberlands offers an EPSB-approved Option 9 program. This alternative route is available to both in-seat and online Cumberlands students. Cumberlands offers middle school education degree programs in early interdisciplinary education, elementary education, and middle school education.

While middle school education degree program at Cumberlands is completing coursework, they will have the opportunity to immediately put their learning into practice as an instructional assistant in a classroom, receive mentorship from experienced teachers in the district, and complete their bachelor’s degree in education and teaching certificate, in as little as three years.

We offer Option 9 pathways for candidates pursuing certification in early childhood education, elementary education, and middle school education.

To learn more information or to find out if your school district has an Option 9 partnership in place with Cumberlands, visit our Option 9 page.

Learn More

Take the Next Step

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Program Mission

The purpose of the School of Education is to develop entry level education students into highly qualified, knowledgeable and caring teachers. We provide training and experiences using best practices for teacher education candidates.

Develop entry-level education students into highly qualified, knowledgeable and caring teachers who provide for diverse learners.
Provide the pedagogical instructional methods necessary to meet the Kentucky Teacher Standards and University of the Cumberlands’ Standards.
Strengthen your abilities to critically reflect and evaluate your skills, thereby providing the opportunity for growth.
Nurture an appreciation and refinement of ethical and Christian moral values in future teachers.
Build robust oral, written, and information literacy skills in students.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Middle School Education Careers & Outcomes

All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Middle School Teacher: $61,320

Middle School Teacher: $61,320

Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grades.

High School Teacher: $61,820

High School Teacher: $61,820

High school teachers teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.

Elementary School Teacher: $61,350

Elementary School Teacher: $61,350

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects in order to prepare them for future schooling.

Special Education Teacher: $61,820

Special Education Teacher: $61,820

Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.

Recreation Worker: $29,680

Recreation Worker: $29,680

Recreation workers design and lead activities to help people stay active, improve fitness, and have fun.

Guidance Counselor: $61,140

Guidance Counselor: $61,140

Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

A program in middle school education prepares educators for teaching success during one of the most chaotic periods of transition in the lives of young learners: middle school. The right program will offer insight into the minds and learning needs of middle school-aged students, preparing these aspiring teachers for careers in public and private school settings. Coursework for this teaching degree will cover foundational coursework for every discipline available to middle school students with opportunities to amplify skills in professional education, such as in technology, literacy topics, child and adolescent development, diversity, classroom management, and more.

Use your degree in middle school education to pursue jobs and career opportunities as a middle school teacher, where the average 2030 annual salary came in at $61,320. Specific career and job opportunities can include:

  • Teaching in middle or junior high schools
  • Tutoring at-risk students
  • Serving in children’s or youth ministry
  • Becoming a textbook representative
  • Training employees in large companies
  • Teaching on military bases or in international schools

You will likely need to pass a state test for whichever state in which you hope to teach. Upon passing the exam, you should apply for a teaching license. Once you’ve obtained that, you can apply to open teaching positions!  

Yes! University of the Cumberlands' School of Education is accredited through Kentucky's Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB) and has national accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) at the initial-licensure level and advanced-level. UC’s School of Education has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement.

Per the standards set by Kentucky EPSB, “Candidates [for student teaching] in Kentucky are required to complete a minimum of 200 field experience hours prior to student teaching.”  Each education course contains a prescribed number of field experience hours. Some courses will have more than others, and courses with more hours are distributed toward the end of the program. Before student teaching, the hours completed in courses will be 200 or more. It's hard to measure an average per semester, since it will depend on the courses you take, but rest assured that you will be able to complete all your necessary hours by the time you graduate. 

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Education

Learn more about your future education professors.

Ashton Leach

Ashton Leach

Field/Clinical Coordinator | Assistant Professor
Education

Ashton Leach

Contact Information

606.539.4392
ashton.leach [at] ucumberlands.edu
Luecker Building
Melissa Evans

Melissa Evans

Director of Certification | Assistant Professor
Education

Melissa Evans

Contact Information

606.539.4395
melissa.evans [at] ucumberlands.edu
Luecker Building
Elisha Sester Web

Elisha Sester

Field/Clinical Coordinator | Assistant Professor
Education

Elisha Sester

Contact Information

606.539.5443
elisha.sester [at] ucumberlands.edu
Luecker Building
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