Middle Grades, English/Language Arts and Social Studies, 6-8 Licensure (MGESS.BST)

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Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education

This program qualifies students to teach in grades six through eight in the two named focus areas. This degree leads to a Tennessee teaching license.

Degree Checklist

For a checklist of all the courses required for this degree program and a suggested four-year sequence of study, please click on the link below.

General Education Requirements - Total Hours: 50-56

Click here for the General Education Core requirements

Specialty Area Requirements

READ 320 - Teaching Reading in the Content Areas Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to provide pre-service teachers with the knowledge and skills to teach study skills and reading skills in the content areas. Special emphasis is placed on reading strategy instruction and the use of writing process as a learning tool. Emphasis is on bridging students' literate practices outside of school with literacies required in academic settings including developing critical readers of new media and traditional print, as well as a range of alternative information sources.
PSYC 362 - Adolescent Development Credit Hours: 3

A review of the principles of behavior of the adolescent; the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development specific to this period of maturation.

Prerequisites

PSYC 200 & PSYC 260.
EDUC 417 - Understanding/Using Student Assessment to Make Instructional Decisions Credit Hours: 2

A study of the theory, principles, and applicaton of diagnostic tests and assessments and their use as a basis for making decisions for planning instruction and student learning.

Prerequisites

Admission to the Teacher Education Program.
EDUC 495 - Integration of Faith and Learning Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to integrate the fundamentals of learning and faith for the preservice educator. The student will be challenged to develop and defend a personal philosophical foundation for education from a Christian perspective.

Prerequisites

THEO-231 and ELED-340

Emphasis Requirements

English/Language Arts

ENGL 222 - Western Literature: Enlightenment to Postmodern Credit Hours: 3

Selected literary masterpieces of the Enlightenment, nineteenth century, and twentieth century studied in relation to cultural context. 

Prerequisites

ENGL-110 
ENGL 302 - The English Language Credit Hours: 3

This course is intended to give the student an in-depth look at the structure of the English language, focusing on traditional and alternative theories of grammar and principles of linguistics with applications for second-language acquisition.

Prerequisites

ENGL-110
ENGL 308 - Composition Theory (W) Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces students to the field of composition studies. It provides a historical overview of approaches to understanding and teaching writing, and it emphasizes the prominent current theories about writing's composition, reception, and function within contemporary culture. Students will work both to understand their own writing processes more fully and to learn theoretically-informed strategies for teaching or tutoring other writers.

Prerequisites

ENGL-300 or EDMG-315
ENGL 315 - Young Adult Literature Credit Hours: 3

A survey of young adult literature in a variety of media and genres with emphasis on the use of literature in the junior and senior high school classrooms. Required for teacher licensure in English. This course does not fulfill the core literature requirement.

Prerequisites

ENGL-300 or EDMG-315
READ 450 - Assessment of Reading Performance Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to formal and informal procedures and instruments used in assessment of reading, including a practicum in diagnosis of reading difficulties.

Social Studies

GEOG 312 - Human Geography Credit Hours: 3

A course that examines cultural change and cultural regionalism, concepts and models of spatial interaction, and spatial behavior including geographical patterns of languages, religion, ethnic groups, folk and popular culture, and population geographical distribution of economic, urban and political organizations.
HIST 211 - American History: Colonial through 1877 Credit Hours: 3

A history of the American people and their relationship to the world with a special emphasis on the United States and its development through the Civil War.
HIST 222 - Survey of Western Civilization II Credit Hours: 3

A continuation of History 221, from 1660 C.E. to the present.
HIST 351 - History of Colonial Latin America Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to the history of Latin America under colonial rule. Particular attention will be paid to ancient American civilizations; conquest; major features of colonial politics, economics, society and culture; changes over time in colonial society; imperial reforms; and rebellions and independence movements.
HIST 352 - History of Modern Latin America Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to the political, economic and social history of Latin America during the national period, roughly 1810 to the present. Not intended to cover each of the Latin American nations in depth, this course employs themes to survey the broad scope of Latin America as a whole. Particular themes include problems and solutions of building nations and unified national identities, of creating viable political systems, and of developing modern economies.
HIST 355 - Survey of Asian History Credit Hours: 3

A broad survey of the history of monsoon Asia, from prehistory to the present. Particular attention will be paid to the rise of urban civilizations in Asia; development and interaction of the religions and cultures in those civilizations; the rise of economic systems linking different parts of Asia; the influence of contact with non-Asian regions and peoples on the history of Asia; and modern efforts of Asians to adapt their societies to European ideas regarding politics and economics.
HIST 356 - History of the Pacific Rim Credit Hours: 3

A historical study of the development of a meaningful Pacific Rim network from 1565 to present.  This course will examine the growth of trans-Pacific relationships between peoples in the Americas and East Asia.  Particular attention will be paid to the influence onthese different peoples exerted by their increasing Pacific Rim connections, as manifested in economic, cultural, social, and political changes over time.
HIST 440 - The History of Russia Credit Hours: 3

This course presents a general summary of Russian history from early times through the revolutions of 1917. Topics addressed will include the political, social, cultural, and spiritual development of Russia. Particular emphasis will be placed on the impact of the significant individuals of Russian history and how they influence the nation's development. 
HIST 452 - Latin America and the United States Credit Hours: 3

A historical examination of the nature of relations between Latin American nations and the United States. Topics will include Latin American and United States foreign policies and actions from early in the nineteenth century to the present, including economic, social and cultural relations in the Western Hemisphere, as well as political relations and diplomacy.

Professional Education Requirements

EDUC 199 - Introduction to the Teaching Profession Seminar Credit Hours: 1

A course consisting of 20 clock hours of laboratory assignments in the public schools and a 50-minute seminar each week for the entire semester. The course is designed to provide a general survey of the education profession. Required for teacher education majors except music.
EDUC 299 - Teaching Diverse Learners Credit Hours: 2

This course is designed to introduce students to the wide range of diversity that exists in today's general school population. Candidates will explore physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development, individual learning styles, and prior learning as well as language, culture, family and community values and how they influence student learning. Differentiated instructional approaches to learning and performance will be studied while focusing on planning for instruction that addresses the strengths and needs of diverse learners. A Service Learning Component is required.

Prerequisites

EDUC-199
EDMG 315 - Foundations of Middle Grades Education Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to give the prospective teacher an overview of the theoretical models of middle level education and to provide a broad overview of the historical, sociological and philosophical foundations of the American education system. Students will explore preadolescent and young adolescent characteristics, middle grades teaching, student learning, and organizational characteristics of a middle level school. Twenty hours of tutoring or observations must be completed.

Prerequisites

EDUC-199 and EDUC-299.
EDMG 340 - Principles of Classroom Instruction - Middle Grades Credit Hours: 2

A course designed to introduce candidates to the knowledge of methods, skills, and strategies they will need as they become effective teachers in middle level classrooms.  The course unites theory and practice by using the instructional methods of classroom discussion, presentations, and analysis of case studies.

Prerequisites

Admission to the Teacher Education Program.
EDMG 406L - Middle Grades Methods Laboratory Credit Hours: 1

This course is a co-requisite to the middle grades specialty methods courses. During the specialty methods courses, candidates will spend one-half day in each endorsement area applying the methods, skills, and strategies studies in the specialty methods courses in two middle grades classrooms.

Prerequisites

EDUC-315 or EDMG-315, and EDMG-340
EDMG 412 - Middle Grades Social Studies Specialty Methods Credit Hours: 2

This course focuses on effective methods, skills, strategies, and problems of teaching the social studies in the middle grades. Emphasis is placed on literacy skills and the integrative nature of the curriculum. Other key topics include using technology, changing demographics, integrative curriculum and instruction, and community service. Candidates apply various teaching methods, strategies, and techniques during the associated laboratory experience (EDMG-406L).

Prerequisites

EDUC-315 or EDMG-315, and EDMG-340.
EDMG 413 - Middle Grades English/Language Arts Specialty Methods Credit Hours: 2

This course focuses on effective methods, skills, strategies, and problems of teaching English/language arts in the middle grades. Emphasis is placed on developing reading and writing skills and the integrative nature of the curriculum. Candidates apply various teaching methods, strategies, and techniques during the associated laboratory experience (EDMG-406L).

Prerequisites

EDUC-315 or EDMG-315, and EDMG-340
SPED 316 - Exceptional Child Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to special education including historical foundations, special education law and current practice. The course will introduce all current information pertinent to those who will work with students with disabilities especially those students included in the general education classroom. Issues and trends that address techniques, strategies and procedures for working with students with disabilities will be emphasized. A summary of each category of disability will be offered as well as suggestions for accessing school and community resources.

Prerequisites

None

Professional Semester

EDUC 496 - Student Teaching I Credit Hours: 5

Upon completion of all education courses, students will complete student teaching practicums for a total of 15 weeks in the public schools under the guidance of public school teachers and a university supervisor(s). The student will be assigned to at least two different classrooms, which may be at different schools. Students must enroll in EDUC-496, EDUC-497, and EDUC-498 for a total of 12 hours. This will constitute the maximum load for the student teaching semester. No other classes may be taken during the student teaching semester.

Prerequisites

Admission to Teacher Education Program, admission to Student Teaching, pass all required Praxis II exams, and completion of required methods courses
EDUC 497 - Student Teaching II Credit Hours: 5

Upon completion of all education courses, students will complete student teaching practicums for a total of 15 weeks in the public schools under the guidance of public school teachers and a university supervisor(s). The student will be assigned to at least two different classrooms, which may be at different schools. Students must enroll in EDUC-496, EDUC-498, and EDUC-498 for a total of 12 hours. This will constitute the maximum load for the student teaching semester. No other classes may be taken during the student teaching semester.

Prerequisites

Admission to Teacher Education Program, admission to Student Teaching, pass all required Praxis II exams, and completion of required methods courses.
EDUC 498 - Student Teaching Seminar Credit Hours: 2

A seminar designed to be taken by all student teachers during their enhanced student teaching semester. The purpose is to help bridge the gap between coursework and enhanced student teaching. Discussion of a variety of topics related to instructional management and interaction is the focus of the seminar.

Prerequisites

Admission to Teacher Education Program, admission to Student Teaching, pass all required Praxis II exams, and completion of all methods courses