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A degree in Middle Grades Education (Online) qualifies individuals for teaching positions in public schools, specifically working with students in grades 4–8. Middle schools serve a diverse population of young adolescents experiencing rapid physical, intellectual, and emotional development. This fully online degree program prepares future middle grades teachers to create engaging, developmentally appropriate learning environments and to support students during these critical years. Graduates are well-equipped to meet the increasing demand for certified teachers across the state and the nation.
This Middle Grades Education program coursework is offered 100% online, asynchronously, offering flexibility for working adults, paraprofessionals, and career changers seeking a path to teacher certification. The program provides flexibility so paraprofessionals can continue working while completing field and clinical experiences. Some paraprofessionals in a middle grades (4-8) classroom (not special education) can keep their current positions and use them as placements for their field and clinical experiences.
Career changers will work with the Office of Field and Clinical Experiences for meeting the field and clinical experience, including student teaching, requirements. These requirements will include hours in a classroom for field experience and a full semester of full time teaching the last semester. Advisors will work closely with each student to ensure their positions meet current program and certification guidelines.
If you are interested in applying, please contact us for a transcript evaluation. Prerequisite courses may be required if you do not hold an associate’s degree from a University System of Georgia (USG) institution or if your bachelor’s degree is in a non-education field.
**Please note this program fulfills the requirements for certification established by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, but not necessarily for any other state. More information can be found at the Out of State Students webpage.**
Students applying for the Middle Grades Education program should meet the following requirements:
Bachelor of Science in Education
Education Center
Rebecca Short
Associate Professor, Middle Grades Education
229-931-2165
Join the next generation of impactful middle school educators!
The Middle Grades Education program requires completion two concentration areas, each requiring a total of 15 semester hours of coursework. A minimum grade point average of 2.50 is required in each concentration area. The concentrations must be selected from the areas of Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics.
The following courses marked with an asterisk (*) are required when a candidate chooses that specific area for Concentration I or Concentration II. A grade of C or higher is required in each teaching field course. Major teaching field courses should be taken during the junior and senior years.
Language Arts: EDRG 3030*, ENGL 3100, ENGL 3010, ENGL 3220 or ENGL 4035, EDRG 4100 or 3 hour English elective.
Social Science: EDMG 4050*, and at least one course from each of the following areas: Regional Perspectives (HIST 4551, 4561, 3810), World Perspectives (HIST 4110, 4110, 4781, 4780, 4800, POLS 3205, 3210), US Government Perspective (POLS 3110, 4460, 4470, 4570), 3 hour Social Studies elective.
Science: EDMG 3060*, 4-hr science elective*, and at least two additional courses from the following: BIOL 3300, BIOL 3600, BIOL 3710, BIOL 4050,BIOL 4350, BIOL 4500, BIOL 4800,GEOL 3111, GEOL 3311, OR GEOL 3411.
Mathematics: EDMG 3100*, 3002, 3003, 3004, 3 hour Mathematics elective.
NOTE: Other courses in concentration may be approved where appropriate at the discretion of the advisor and the Programs Chair.