The Elementary/Middle Level Education: Grades 4-8, English/Language Arts Concentration, BSEd program prepares you to obtain the certification required to teach grades 4-8 in Pennsylvania’s public school system. This program meets high national standards of excellence because it is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teachers, Association of Middle Level Education and Council for Exceptional Children. Additionally, Shippensburg University has the only public elementary lab school in the state.
You will learn how to support middle level students’ academic growth in language arts. Learning experiences will focus on:
- Literary texts intended for grades 4-8 (i.e., novels, short stories, traditional stories, and poems; and exploring the meanings conveyed by these texts)
- Core writing genres (i.e., narrative writing, informative writing, and argument writing)
- Best practices in reading and writing instruction
Much of your learning will come through active participation and collaboration. You are required to complete core concentration courses in language arts as well as professional core courses focusing on adolescent development and learning, instructional methods, assessment and intervention, adaptation and accommodations for diverse learners, and literacy. There is also a required capstone seminar and practicum in middle level student teaching.
Course Work for Language Arts Concentration, BSEd
Option 1: Single Certification
Students choose one area in which they will be certified to teach. Options include:
- Science
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- Language Arts.
Option 2: Double Certifications
Students choose two areas in which they will be certified to teach. One area must be math or science. Options include:
- Science and Mathematics
- Science and Social Studies
- Science and Language Arts
- Mathematics and Social Studies
- Mathematics and Language Arts
Credit Requirements: All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate. For course descriptions, visit the catalog.
- General Education: 45 credits
- Major Requirements: 72 credits
- Free Electives: 3 credits
- Total Credits to Graduate: 120 credits