B.S.Ed. Middle Level Education
The middle level education program at Concordia University, Nebraska connects theory with practice to prepare graduates to teach grades 5 through 9 in both self-contained and departmentalized classrooms.
As a middle level education major, you will specialize in at least 2 of the following content areas:
- literacy (English Language Arts)
- math
- science
- social science
- Spanish
- ESL
- health and physical education
Specializing in at least two subject areas will help prepare you for the needs of your future students and school.
Gain exceptional knowledge about young adolescents and their developmental abilities in and out of the classroom.
Program Highlights
WHY Middle Level EDUCATION AT CONCORDIA?
The middle level education program at Concordia University, Nebraska equips students with exceptional knowledge about young adolescents and their developmental abilities in and out of the classroom. The middle level program also helps students develop great teaching skills for both self-contained and departmentalized middle school environments so they can lead and share the Gospel in their future schools.
Certification
The undergraduate education programs at Concordia are approved by the Nebraska Department of Education and lead to a teaching certificate from the State of Nebraska.
Field Experience
To complete your required 100 hours of field experience, you will be intentionally placed in a variety of classrooms and schools throughout your four years here. That way, you get first-hand experience that aligns with what you are learning in your college classroom.
Student Teaching
Concordia is one of only a handful of universities that provides education majors with two unique student teaching experiences:
- 8 weeks student teaching in a local school
- 8 weeks student teaching in a different town, state or country
This approach provides education majors with diverse experience in a school setting with new students and teachers, often in a location they have never been to.
Middle Level Education Program Director
Dr. Amy Stradtmann
Associate Professor of Education, Middle Level Education Program Director
MEET OUR students
“Everything we learn in our middle level education classes is relevant to what we'll be doing in the future. The classes are super engaging and hands-on.”
Lana Blakeman
Lincoln, Nebraska
Accreditation
Concordia University, Nebraska is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
All education programs leading to teacher certification or endorsement are approved by the Nebraska Department of Education and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
Degree Goals
A middle level education graduate from Concordia University, Nebraska will be able to:
- Demonstrate essential knowledge of middle level school curriculum standards
- Understand cognitive development of children and adolescents in middle level grades as it relates to students’ intellectual, social and personal growth
- Successfully plan, implement and evaluate classroom differentiated instruction to effectively maximize middle level students’ learning potentials, including the use of differentiation, instructional technology and literacy
- Continually improve their professional growth through the practice of inquiry and reflection as a middle level classroom teacher and leader
Optional Teaching Diplomas
Lutheran Teacher Diploma (LTD): For students who wish to be commissioned ministers who teach in schools of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Christian Teacher Diploma (CTD): For students who wish to teach in Christian parochial schools
International Teaching Diploma (ITD): For students who wish to teach in international schools
Content Teaching Areas
- Literacy (English Language Arts)
- Health and Physical Education
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Sciences
- Spanish
Career Outcomes
Middle School Teacher
- Instruct students in basic academic, social and other formative skills
- Teach in a public, private or Christian school
- Create inclusive lesson plans, implement a curriculum and work with each student to determine the most effective method of teaching
School Counselor
- Assist students with school-related issues such as selecting classes, dealing with academic difficulties and social problems
- Help students develop academic goals and deal with personal, social and behavioral issues
- Concordia Nebraska’s master’s degree in school counseling can help you on your path to becoming a school counselor
Instructional Coordinator
- Develop curricula for school systems and help teachers develop new strategies and techniques
- Develop educational materials and work to implement them with teachers and principals as well as assessing their effectiveness
- To become an instructional coordinator, you would need to earn your masters degree
FAQs
What are the certification requirements to teach middle level education?
Although each state has different requirements for becoming a licensed teacher, middle level education teachers must pass a state certification exam after completing their bachelor’s degree in middle level education. Most certifications require a certain number of hours spent student teaching in classrooms, which you will be prepared for in your coursework at Concordia.
If you are a confirmed member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and wish to use your middle level education degree as a rostered member of the teaching ministry, Concordia Nebraska can help you obtain a Lutheran Teacher Diploma, which will make you eligible for a Call to a Lutheran school.
If you would like to be able to teach middle level education in a Christian school that is not associated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, you may choose to receive a Christian Teacher Diploma, which will prepare you for your teaching ministry.
If you are interested in teaching in an International school, you also have the opportunity to earn an International Teaching Diploma to prepare you for teaching in an English-speaking school overseas.
Beyond classroom teaching, what does a middle level education teacher do?
Middle level teachers in a departmentalized setting often teach one subject, depending on the size of the school. For example, a seventh-grade science teacher may teach life science to six classes a day. Middle level teachers in a school with self-contained classrooms will teach a wide variety of subjects.
Depending on your school, you may also
- be expected to serve on committees
- complete bus, lunch or hallway duties
- act as mediators in student issues
- prepare lesson plans
- record grades
- administer standardized tests
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The early childhood education program at Concordia University, Nebraska equips teacher candidates with a current and well-researched curriculum to help you teach children at a critical stage in their growth and development by creating an education program specific to their needs. In addition to adding the supplemental early childhood endorsement to an elementary teaching degree, Concordia Nebraska also offers a stand-alone, birth through third grade inclusive program.
Elementary Education
As an elementary educator, you are certified to teach children in kindergarten through sixth grade. You will typically spend the day with the same group of students, teaching them foundational skills in a wide variety of subjects. The liberal arts education you will receive at Concordia University, Nebraska, along with subject-specific methodology courses in the education department, will prepare you to be an outstanding elementary school teacher.
Christian Education Leadership
The Christian education leadership major from Concordia University, Nebraska can help you serve Christ’s church through education as a Director of Christian Education (DCE), youth or camp ministry leader, Christian teacher or as a national or international missionary by equipping you to bring Christian values and leadership to God’s people in a church or school.
Secondary Education
With a degree in secondary education from Concordia University, Nebraska, you will be equipped to teach grades 7-12, encouraging intellectual and emotional growth at a critical time in the lives of your students. You’ll engage in rich coursework, collaborate with faculty and gain invaluable experience first shadowing a professional teacher and then teaching in your own high school classroom.
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