Program Director: Robert Schulze, Ed.D.
Email: robert.schulze@vermontstate.edu
Middle Level Education Programs (Grades 5-9)
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Middle Level English Education (PBACC.MID.ENG; MA.EDU.MID.ENG
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Middle Level Math Education (PBACC.MID.MAT; MA.EDU.MID.MAT)
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Middle Level Science Education (PBACC.MID.SCI; MA.EDU.MID.SCI)
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Middle Level Social Studies Education (PBACC.MID.SSS; MA.EDU.MID.SSS)
Program Description
The Middle-Level Education Programs provide innovative and specialized learning experiences through which graduate students are prepared to serve as English, Math, Science, or Social Studies teachers in the middle grades (Grades 5-9). A major emphasis of the program is understanding and engaging young adolescent learners.
Successful completion of a program leads to a recommendation for an Initial Educator’s license with an endorsement in the participant’s chosen content area. Two practicum experiences and a full-time, full-semester internship are required. Candidates must have the equivalent of a major in one of the core content areas. A transcript analysis is required to determine whether previous content-area coursework fulfills all requirements. The Licensure Office or its designee will conduct the review. If necessary, participants complete additional content courses to be recommended for licensure.
Course and practicum experiences provide practical knowledge of the theories, research, standards, and norms that affect schools and informal educational settings. Young adolescent development and learning are studied ecologically through characteristics, peer and social influences, cultural and contextual forces, and historic and future trends. Careful attention is given to the growth of young adolescents whose development is emerging within a complex social world through initial and progressive experiences of self-direction, peer relations, and accomplishment.
Participants in a Middle-Level Education Program are prepared to advance social justice, embrace difference, and advocate for inclusion by becoming knowledgeable professionals with the courage to pursue excellence and equity for all learners.
The programs are conducive to part-time enrollment for working professionals with online courses and in-person fieldwork, which is arranged through the Teacher Education Placement Office.
The graduate Post-Baccalaureate option enables participants to complete coursework necessary to apply for an Initial Educator’s License with an endorsement in a specific area. With a license, participants may apply for teaching positions. Post-bacc courses can be stacked into a degree program through ongoing enrollment.
Participants may also complete the full Master of Arts degree program before applying for an Initial Educator’s License and a teaching position.
Licensed educators interested in an Additional Endorsement only should contact the Program Director for information.
Program Objectives
Students in Education programs gain both an understanding of the discipline of education and a practical grasp of effective professional practice. Connecting these two realms provides a foundation for achieving the department’s objectives for each student, including:
- The use of academic study in the formation of content-specific professional knowledge,
- The use of practitioner inquiry to design effective pedagogical strategies,
- The use of critical theory to confidently serve as a progressive colleague and advocate, and
- The use of transformative reflection in pursuit of continuous personal growth.
