Middle Level Education
Prepare to be a difference maker by helping middle school students grow as readers, writers, and communicators. This program also prepares you with the tools to support English language learners in diverse classroom settings.
Middle Level Education, English 6-8 Teacher Licensure Concentration, B.S.
The B.S. program in Middle-Level English Education provides the academic foundation and experiences necessary to teach English in grades 6–8, along with the tools and knowledge to support multilingual learners through ESL-focused coursework. This program offers rich learning experiences in language, literature, and writing instruction while equipping you with research-based strategies to support multilingual learners. You will work closely with experienced faculty, mentor teachers, and middle school students as you develop the skills to create engaging and inclusive learning environments. Coursework emphasizes adolescent development, culturally responsive pedagogy, and effective classroom management—ensuring you are well-prepared to meet the needs of diverse learners in grades 6–8.
All students pursuing the Middle-Level English Education major are required to complete True Blue Core requirements, content area concentration and Middle Level Core coursework, and residency experiences. Students should meet with their advisors regularly to plan their course schedules and stay on track for graduation and licensure.
Concentrations:
- Middle Level Education, English 6-8 Teacher Licensure Concentration, B.S.
- Middle Level Education, Math 6-8 Teacher Licensure Concentration, B.S.
- Middle Level Education, Science 6-8 Teacher Licensure Concentration, B.S.
- Middle Level Education, Social Studies 6-8 Teacher Licensure Concentration, B.S.
News Briefs
Cohort Model
Having peers and colleagues who know and support you can make learning to be a teacher more enjoyable. The Middle Level Education, grades 6-8, program is designed to be a cohort program in which classes are offered during specific semesters. Students who enroll in the program at similar times take most of their major courses in the Department at the same time. Therefore, they get to know one another and create a supportive network. This network allows students to learn and grow in a collaborative, safe environment that allows mistakes, encourages reflection, and promotes professional learning.
Teaching Middle School is Rewarding!
In order to ensure Middle Level Education, grades 6-8, students are ready to teach when they graduate, they are provided with field experiences throughout their program. These field experiences provide opportunities for students to observe and work side by side with mentor middle school teachers. Students plan and teach learning experiences while being supported by their instructors and mentor teachers. They also observe and participate in data sharing and team meetings. As they move through the program, the field experiences increase in time, rigor, and responsibility.
News Briefs
Cohort Model
Having peers and colleagues who know and support you can make learning to be a teacher more enjoyable. The Middle Level Education, grades 6-8, program is designed to be a cohort program in which classes are offered during specific semesters. Students who enroll in the program at similar times take most of their major courses in the Department at the same time. Therefore, they get to know one another and create a supportive network. This network allows students to learn and grow in a collaborative, safe environment that allows mistakes, encourages reflection, and promotes professional learning.
Teaching Middle School is Rewarding!
In order to ensure Middle Level Education, grades 6-8, students are ready to teach when they graduate, they are provided with field experiences throughout their program. These field experiences provide opportunities for students to observe and work side by side with mentor middle school teachers. Students plan and teach learning experiences while being supported by their instructors and mentor teachers. They also observe and participate in data sharing and team meetings. As they move through the program, the field experiences increase in time, rigor, and responsibility.
Middle Level Education, English 6-8 Teacher Licensure Concentration, B.S.
Individuals trained to teach bring a desirable range of expertise and creativity to planning and administrative roles. Graduates completing their teacher preparation at MTSU are found in public and private school classrooms throughout Tennessee and in many other states. In addition to classroom teaching, other career options include
- Interdisciplinary or team-based teacher in middle grades settings
- Academic interventionist or instructional coach
- Elective or enrichment teacher (e.g., STEM, career exploration, digital literacy)
- Online or virtual school teacher
- Curriculum writer or editor (for K–12 content publishers)
- Educational program coordinator (museums, libraries, afterschool programs)
- Youth development specialist or director (e.g., YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs)
- EdTech product specialist, trainer, or implementation coach
- Corporate learning and development facilitator
- School-based leadership roles (e.g., dean, assistant principal, principal – with further licensure)
- Summer learning or camp program director
- Homeschool curriculum advisor or content specialist
- Agency and administrative work (e.g., district offices, nonprofit education services)
- Community and foundation work
- Consulting, professional development, and teacher training (including EdTech and curriculum)
- Education policy development
- Education marketing, communications, and research
- Higher education teaching and administration
- Private tutoring
Among the employers of MTSU middle school education degree alumni are
- Anderson County Schools
- Bedford County Schools
- Cannon County Schools
- Carroll County Schools
- Cheatham Co Schools
- Coffee County Schools
- Collierville Christian Academy
- Crockett County Schools
- Cumberland County Schools
- DeKalb County Schools
- Dickson County Schools
- Dyer County Schools
- Fayette County Schools
- Fayetteville City Schools
- Franklin Special School District
- Giles County Schools
- Grundy County Schools
- Hamilton County Schools
- Hardeman County Schools
- Hickman County Schools
- Kids Connection
- Knox County Schools
- Lawrence County Schools
- Lebanon Special School District
- Lewis County Schools
- Lincoln County Schools
- Macon County Schools
- Madison County Schools
- Manchester City Schools
- Marion County Schools
- Marshall County Schools
- Maury County Schools
- McNairy County Schools
- Memphis and Shelby County Schools
- Metro Action Commission, Nashville
- Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
- Middle Tennessee Christian School, Murfreesboro
- Montgomery County Schools
- Moore County Schools
- Murfreesboro City Schools
- Perry County Schools
- Providence Christian Academy, Murfreesboro
- Robertson County Schools
- Rutherford County Schools
- Sequatchie County Schools
- Sumner County Schools
- The Webb School, Bell Buckle
- Trousdale County Schools
- Tullahoma City Schools,
- Warren County Schools
- Wayne County Schools
- White County Schools
- Williamson County Schools
- Wilson County Schools
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake.
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
The Middle Level Education, grades 6-8, program specializes in preparing future educators for teaching middle school learners. Students choose a subject focus area from a selection of content areas: English, Math, Social Studies, or Science. Students become knowledgeable and skilled in their content area while also learning instructional and assessment strategies, classroom management, and other relevant topics and practices. Students in this initial teacher licensure program develop personal and professional skills that foster a love of learning and teaching for years to come.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
MTSU discloses that the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Middle Level Education is a teacher licensure preparation program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Tennessee Department of Education. Admission to an undergraduate teacher licensure preparation program does not guarantee that students will obtain a teacher license. Successful completion of the program meets the educational requirements to apply for a practitioner teacher licensure in Tennessee.
The BS Middle Level Education disclosure provided on MTSU’s professional licensure disclosure website indicates the states and territories where MTSU has determined, through reasonable and good faith effort, that the program does or does not meet the educational requirements for other US states and territories. Licensing authorities for each state set and enforce their own requirements and standards, which are subject to change. Current and prospective students not located in Tennessee or who plan to seek licensure or certification outside the state of Tennessee should contact the appropriate state licensing agency or board and discuss their plans with an advisor and the MTSU Office of Teacher Licensure before enrolling in the program to ensure they have the most up-to-date information and guidance regarding licensure requirements.
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