Middle Childhood Program Description
The Middle Childhood Education Program at Miami University is designed for those individuals seeking licensure in grades 4-9 with concentrations in two content areas. Miami currently offers six degrees in Middle Childhood which include: Math-Science; Language Arts-Social Studies; Math-Social Studies; Science-Social Studies; Science-Language Arts; and Math-Language Arts. In the future, Miami will offer a Generalist degree for grades 4-6 in which a candidate will be able to teach all subject areas.
During the freshman year, students interested in Middle Childhood Education must apply to the program by way of a cohort. Currently cohorts are selected in February and May. Cohort selection is based on multiple factors such as Miami plan GPA, an admissions essay, number of hours taken, sensitivity to diversity statement and overall application criteria. In addition, each individual must complete 100 hours of working with Middle Childhood youth prior to admission to the Early Field Block as part of their work within the major.
Field experiences in rural, urban, and suburban middle schools (grades 4-9) are provided during the sophomore and junior year methods courses so that students gain first hand experiences working with middle school students and are engaged in actual teaching so as to implement theories and practices learned within the classes.
A Middle Childhood Education major experiences a curriculum designed around the principles of exemplary middle school education based on the tenets set forth by the National Middle School Association as well as the individual content professional organizations, such as NSTA, NCTM, and NCSS. The curriculum includes active participation in understanding the physical, social, emotional, intellectual and moral aspects of development of the middle school learner as well as establishing classroom environments, curriculum, instruction and professional relationships that support and extend the positive and productive development of young adolescents. Middle Childhood Education majors come to see their role as one that celebrates the normal life progression of what early adolescence is a part.