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Bachelor of Science in Education in Middle Childhood Education
Grades 4-9
On this page:
- Why Choose Middle Childhood Education?
- Careers
- Real-World Experience
- Success Stories
- Academics and Curriculum
- Admission
- Licensure Exams
- Resources
Why Choose the Middle Childhood Education Program?
Why choose the MCE program at Wright State?
Wright State University's middle childhood education (MCE) program will prepare you to teach grades 4-9. Choose two content areas: math, language arts, social studies, or science. The undergraduate MCE program with licensure has received university and state (Ohio Department of Higher Education) approval. You can enroll in this pathway to licensure.
What Does it Mean to Teach Middle-Level Learners?
Teaching middle-level learners means becoming a teacher in grades 4-9. Middle-level classrooms are transitioning from a self-contained primary classroom to the content specialization of middle school. Middle level philosophy embraces the notion that middle grades teachers need to be developmentally responsive throughout this transition by addressing the unique developmental needs of young adolescents. Teaching in the middle grades is often demonstrated by interdisciplinary teaming, flexible scheduling, integrated curriculum, and special programs to meet the social-emotional needs of young adolescents.
Wright State’s programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, fully approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, and meet the requirements for the Ohio Department of Education 4 Year Resident Educator teaching license. You will benefit from relevant and up-to-date training, such as Youth Mental Health First Aid Training and other professional development opportunities in accordance with Ohio’s Strategic Plan for Education focused on the whole child.
Program Highlights
- Early and frequent field experiences provide learning and networking opportunities in grades 4-9.
- Cohort model allows teacher candidates to move through the program as a group and take many of the same courses together. This creates a strong connection and social support among peers.
- Direct feedback from schools and districts have shown that Wright State’s MCE program prepares teachers to be effective and work collaboratively with other teachers, administrators, and staff.
- Over the past five years, 97 percent of Wright State’s MCE candidates passed the state’s licensure examinations.
- Teachers prepared at Wright State consistently perform above the state average on the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES).
- Wright State’s MCE program is nationally recognized by the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE).
- Wright State’s MCE program prepares middle level teachers to be well-rounded. Our teacher candidates are provided with opportunities beyond their two chosen content concentration areas.
The MCE Cohort
edTPA and RESA
Contact Information
Dave Herick, M.Ed.
Program Director
937-775-2264
david.herick@wright.edu
For general questions, admission information, licensure information, and transcript evaluation please visit with an academic advisor in the CHEH Academic Advising Office.
Careers
Demand for teachers is high with many parts of the state and nation currently unable to hire as many teachers as they need. Areas with the highest need include special education (intervention specialist), math, science, world language, and teaching English as a second language (TESOL). Teaching is unique in that it provides you an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students, carry out your passion for your content area, and advocate for issues related to education. There are also plenty of opportunities to move up and through the education field, including becoming a lead teacher, administrator, school counselor, or to further your specialties through endorsements and certificates. You may take an opportunity to move your career to advocacy, government agencies, or higher education.
The College of Health, Education, and Human Services has a dedicated career consultant to assist you in connecting your major to a career. The career consultants focus on staying up-to-date on career trends in education. Our assigned career consultant is an extension of services offered through Wright State’s Career Services.
Visit our Educator Quality Data page for additional details on employment and salary.
View the MCE program profile for sample occupations, average salary, and employment projections.
Real-World Experience
Extensive real-life experience and practice in P-12 schools is the heart of Wright State’s teacher preparation programs. As an education major, you will benefit from the highest quality instruction interwoven with clinical practice throughout your program. Working in close partnership with nine local school districts and many other schools in the region, our programs provide you with the following advantages:
- Opportunities early in the program to serving in schools through ED 2100 Education in a Democracy, a designated service-learning course.
- Opportunities to be in the schools early and often—at least four semesters in which you will be out in the field.
- Opportunities to spend more hours on the ground in schools practicing and refining teaching skills than in nearly any other program in the state of Ohio. Although the state only requires 100 hours prior to student teaching, Wright State’s MCE program enables and supports candidates to serve over 500 hours out in the field. Our Office of Partnerships and Field Experiences works to place candidates in a variety of school settings (urban, rural, suburban) to provide a variety or experiences and opportunities.
- Opportunities for support and growth by having supervised clinical faculty (trained former teachers, principals, and curriculum directors). Field supervision will provide you with quality, constructive feedback to improve your teaching skills.
- Opportunities beyond regular field experiences - several education courses (e.g. classroom management, science methods, etc.) will deliver portions of your university class on-site at a local school districts in the Dayton area to enrich your experience and bridge the gap from theory to practice.
- Your experience will culminate in a year-long student teaching internship - start and end the year with the same mentor teacher and classroom.
Success Stories
Academics and Curriculum
View the Bachelor of Science in Education in Middle Childhood Education program information, degree requirements, and graduation planning strategy in the Academic Catalog.
Middle Childhood Education, Teacher Candidate Handbook
Admission
Admission Requirements
- 2.6 cumulative minimum undergraduate GPA
- A minimum of 60 credit hours earned (including in-progress hours)
- Grade of C or better required for the following:
- All teacher education courses under the Wright State Core requirements: ED 2100, ED 2600, ED 2700, and EDS 2900
- All Wright State Core courses related to the applicant’s two respective concentration areas (language arts, mathematics, science, social studies)
- All pre-professional core courses: ED 1100, ED 2800, and MTH 2415
- “P” (passing) grade in ED 2650
- Passing scores in each of the following areas:
- One of the following Reading scores:
- ACT Reading score of 19 or better
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 520 or better
- ETS Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Reading score of 162 or better
- One of the following Math scores:
- ACT Math score of 17 or better
- SAT Math score of 510 or better
- ETS Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Math score of 158 or better
- One of the following Writing scores:
- ACT Writing score of 6 or better
- SAT Essay-Writing Dimension score of 5 or better
- ETS Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Writing score of 165 or better
- One of the following Reading scores:
If you are a Wright Path student who is following an articulation agreement, courses required for program admission slightly differ. Please refer to the articulation agreements on the Wright Path webpage and work with your academic advisor to confirm you are ready to enter the B.S.Ed. program.
Be aware that WHEN you took the test is an important factor in determining whether your score meets the minimum criteria for admission, due to revisions that have occurred over time in the ACT, SAT, and Praxis tests. Acceptable Test Scores for Admission to Teacher Education Programs (PDF)
**Due to accreditation requirement changes, admissions requirements are subject to change. You should continue to check for updates and work with your advisor to be informed of upcoming changes.
Admission Process
New Students
1
Apply to the University. You will be admitted as a pre-major until you meet the criteria for acceptance into the major.
Current Wright State Students
2
Work with your academic advisor to develop your graduation plan and determine when to apply for admission.
3
Complete the program application.
4
New cohorts begin in fall only. Applications are due January 15 to begin the following fall semester.
5
If your reading, writing, or math ACT/SAT scores do not meet the minimum scores listed above, complete the appropriate ETS Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test.
Applicants have until June 1 to attempt tests needed for admission. Please do not schedule any additional testing attempts after this date.
Applicants also have the option to appeal one or more admission requirements or an admission decision through our Educator Preparation Appeal Process.
Licensure Exams
MCE candidates are required to pass specific Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) tests before they are allowed to begin their student teaching experience. Information on the tests and preparation materials can be found on the OAE website.
After you complete the program and pass Ohio-required licensure exams, you are eligible for an Ohio Resident Educator Middle Childhood Education licensure in two subject areas as regulated by the Ohio Department of Education.
Licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state, and we have not determined if this program meets educational requirements outside of Ohio. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding that state’s licensure or certification requirements.
Resources
Middle Level Professional Organizations
- Association for Middle Level Educators (AMLE): The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) is the leading international organization advancing the education of all students ages 10 to 15, helping them succeed as learners and make positive contributions to their communities and to the world. AMLE is committed to helping middle grades educators.
- Ohio Middle Level Association (OMLA): OMLA’s purpose is to promote the middle level concept and provide a medium for those involved with Ohio’s elementary, middle and junior high schools to share with one another.
