Major code BS6180

Patton College of Education
Department of Teacher Education
Patton Hall
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.4400
www.ohio.edu/education/teacher-ed

Danielle Dani, contact person
dani@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The Middle Childhood Education program includes six majors with academic specializations in any two of the following content specializations: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. To receive a teaching license, students must successfully complete the following program and earn passing scores on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) exams and a Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA). This major is aligned with national and state standards and prepares future teachers to help young adolescents in grades 4-9 develop conceptual understanding and fluency in language arts and mathematics as well as the skills and competencies necessary for active and informed citizenship. The Middle Childhood Education program emphasizes a commitment to equity, justice, and diversity.

Admissions Information

In addition to first-year admission, teacher candidates must meet additional requirements to continue in the program (see below for additional details):

• Admission to Teacher Candidacy (typically at the end of the first year)
• Admission to Advanced Standing (typically at the end of the second year)
• Admission to the Professional Internship (typically at the end of the third year)

Freshman/First-Year Admission

All students pursuing teacher education programs at Ohio University are subject to the Selective Admission and Retention Program in teacher education. Criteria and procedures are available in the Office of Student Affairs, Patton Hall.

Regional campus students should check with their Office of Student Affairs or the Dean’s office on the regional campus for information.

Admission to Teacher Candidacy

Candidates must be admitted to Teacher Candidacy before taking any education courses numbered 2000 and above (Exception: EDCT 2030 ).

Generally, candidates apply for admission to Teacher Candidacy during the second semester of their first year. 

Requirements:

1. Completion of 30 semester credit hours with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. 
2. Completion of the following courses with a grade of C (2.0) or higher in each course:
       a.    Fulfillment of the Foundations: Quantitative Reasoning general education
              requirement with a grade of C (2.0) or higher.
       b.    Completion of the Pre-Teacher Candidacy coursework listed below.
3. Submission of test scores on one of the following assessments. Admission will be determined holistically in tandem with other requirements and supplementary materials. Students only need to take and submit scores for one of the following tests, not all three.
       a.     PRAXIS CORE (Academic Skills for Educators) Test
       b.     ACT
       c.     SAT
4. Submission of the results of a background check through BCI & FBI. Ohio Revised Code: 3319.291D.
5. New Transfer Students: Transfer CUM GPA may be considered towards Teacher Candidacy.

Admission to Advanced Standing

Candidates must be admitted to Advanced Standing before taking any education courses numbered 3000 or above. Candidates must maintain an overall GPA of 2.75, as well as a 2.75 GPA in each teaching field for which licensure is sought to continue to take education courses numbered 3000 or above. Methods courses can be taken no more than twice. Failure to obtain a satisfactory grade can result in dismissal from the program.

Generally, candidates apply for Advanced Standing in Teacher Candidacy at the end of the second semester of the sophomore year. Athens campus students must attend a group meeting arranged by Patton College Office of Student Affairs, and regional campus students should check with Student Services or the dean’s office on the regional campus for information.

Requirements:

1. Completion of 60 semester credit hours with cumulative GPA of 2.75.
2. Cumulative 2.75 GPA in each teaching field for which licensure is being sought.
3. Completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of C in each:
        a.    EDTE 2000 - Learning and Human Development
        b.    EDTE 2010 - Characteristics of Learners Receiving Services and Supports under IDEA
        c.    EDTE 2020 - Field Experience in Education
        d.    EDTE 2300 - Education and Cultural Diversity
4. Submission of the results of a background check through BCI & FBI. Ohio Revised Code: 3319.291D.

Admission to Professional Internship

During candidates’ final year in the program they will complete a Professional Internship of intensive field experiences in a grades 4-9 classroom. Candidates must apply for admission to the Professional Internship by October 1 of the preceding year. The following requirements must be completed prior to the start of the Professional Internship (contact your advisor for additional details on the application process).

1. Apply for admission to the Professional Internship. Candidates must have a current BCI & FBI Background check and been recommended for the internship by a representative appointed by faculty.
2. Earn at least 90 hours and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
3. Earn at least 2 semesters (30 hours) of residence at OU.
4. Complete all Educational Core coursework (exception: Language Arts Methods Courses) with a GPA of 2.75 or higher and a C (2.0) or higher in each course.
5. Have completed at least 75% of the Language Arts Methods Coursework with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

Transfer Admission

To obtain information specific to students seeking admission to the program as transfer students from another institution contact the Office of Student Affairs.

Change of Program Policy

To change or add your major/minor/certificate policy, contact the Office of Student Affairs, The Patton College of Education 740.593.4400.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Graduates of this program may seek teaching positions in grades 4-9 at public and private schools. Additional career opportunities exist in the community and public sector. Having developed an understanding of the complex characteristics of children, families, and their surrounding communities, graduates may enjoy careers with community agencies to create equitable and diverse environments. With their lesson planning and presentation skills, graduates may enjoy corporate training or human resource work. Some graduates leverage their Middle Childhood Education undergraduate degree to enter graduate programs leading to careers as School Counselors, Librarians, or countless other careers that value the knowledge and skills developed while earning a degree in education.

Requirements