Middle School Education Minor

Middle School Education Minor

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Enhance your major and get an edge in your career

Take your first steps toward a career teaching middle school. With the Minor in Middle School Education, you will prepare for initial licensure with the Massachusetts Department of Education in mathematics, English, general science, health, history, or Spanish while you develop your expertise by majoring in the subject you plan to teach. Fieldwork accompanies most of the courses in this minor and is a necessary component of the program. You will get well-rounded experience through placements with different grade levels at varied schools in urban, rural, and suburban settings. The Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) is embedded in the program at various stages and must be passed for completion of the program and licensure.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

  • Develop a solid understanding of the principles of education
  • Explore and create curriculum
  • Participate in fieldwork in a school setting
  • Understand the differences of teaching various age levels
  • Examine current topics and contemporary issues in the field of education
Check out the different education courses waiting for you at Worcester State!
ED-149 Introduction to the Teaching Profession Middle/Secondary School
This course will provide a basic understanding to the teaching aspects in middle and secondary classrooms. It will explore the Massachusetts Department of Educational Professional Standards for Teachers and give students a general orientation to the profession. Principles of the teaching/learning process and related skills will be addressed, in addition to observable behaviors in the classroom setting(s). Students will be required to do 5 fieldwork observation hours in an accredited middle/secondary school.
3 credits
ED-150 Introduction to the Teaching Profession
Overview of the teaching profession, including an examination of a variety of grade levels (Birth-Grade 12), learning environments, equity issues and school management and organization. Developmental domains of learning will be introduced. Students will engage in lesson planning, observational techniques and collaboration. 5 hours of fieldwork or experiential learning.
ED-155 Teaching and Learning in Elementary School
Overview of the teaching profession, examination of a variety of learning environments, organizing and managing schools, integrating curricula, observational techniques. 5 hours of fieldwork.
3 credits
ED-160 Early Childhood Education Today
Exploration of early childhood education emphasizing developmentally appropriate creativities, motor skills. Discussion: families, community resources, play, integration of special needs. 5 hours of fieldwork.
3 credits
ED-206 Development and Learning of Typical and Atypical Children Birth to Age 8
Analysis of children's learning, focusing on special education, typical and atypical conditions for learning from birth through age eight.
3 credits
ED-207 The Adolescent in Schools & Society
This course will investigate the educational, psychological, social and environmental factors related to adolescents in school settings.
3 credits
ED-211 Integrating Science, Social Studies and the Fine Arts in Early Childhood Curriculum
Designing and evaluating multi-disciplinary curricula for all children; materials, organizing environments, regulations, learning theories, evaluation of children's learning and development. 10 hours of fieldwork.
3 credits
ED-250 Educational Psychology
Learning and developmental processes of typical and atypical learners. Motivation, relationships of intelligence, affect, and achievement. Application to teaching and learning. 10 hours of fieldwork.
3 credits
ED-251 Principles of Curriculum, Instruction, And Assessment in Middle and High School
Introduces lesson planning, literacy demands, curriculum development and assessment strategies at the middle and high school level. 10 hours of fieldwork.
3 credits
ED-270 Diversity & Multicultural Ed
Introduction to multicultural education, equity and social justice issues in education including a focus on race, ethnicity, languages, class, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disabilities.
3 credits
ED-271 International and Comparative Education
This course compares the educational policies, practices and outcomes in two or more countries.
3 credits
ED-275 Curr/Instr in Elementary Ed
Analysis of interactions in effective elementary schools through participation in and exploration of curriculum, teaching and learning roles. 10 hours of fieldwork.
3 credits
ED-285 Understanding and Supporting Children and Youth with Disabilities
Introduction to the characteristics of diverse children and youth with disabilities and multidisciplinary supports designed to meet their special needs for success in school.
3 credits
ED-304 Best Practices for English Language Learners
Research-based grade level subject matter, instructional strategies, and performance assessments of English Language Learners are the focus of discussions and class projects.
3 credits
ED-339 Children's Literature: Multicultural Literature for PK-9
Facets of literature for children and criteria for the selection of each, techniques and preparation and use.
3 credits

See the diverse career paths that a degree in Education can prepare you for

Explore a wide range of rewarding professional opportunities with your Education degree from Worcester State.

Daycare Center Administrator
Special Education Teachers
Daycare Provider
English as a Second Language Teacher
Program Director
Reading Specialist
Special Needs Teacher
PreK-12 Teacher