Academic Program

Middle Childhood Education

Bachelor of Science Degree

The middle childhood education program at the University of Cincinnati is dedicated to improving the educational experiences of children in grades four through nine, with a special commitment to urban education. The program’s central goal is the preparation of outstanding teachers who are:

  • qualified to meet the unique intellectual, social and emotional needs of children in middle childhood;
  • reflective and responsible professionals who demonstrate an inquiry orientation toward teaching and professional development;
  • committed to working with children who are diverse in learning style, ethnicity, language, gender, age, class, physical and intellectual achievement and family background;
  • experienced in thinking critically, solving problems and working collaboratively with children, families and other professionals; and,
  • knowledgeable about disciplinary subject fields, curriculum integration and technology.

    Candidates in the middle childhood education program complete a bachelor of science degree and an internship.  After passing the Praxis II exams, candidates are eligible to apply for an initial state of Ohio teaching license, which licenses them to teach two subject areas from the following: language arts, mathematics, science or social studies. Candidates can also expand their licensure by completing appropriate course work to become eligible to apply for a generalist license, which would allow them to teach in all four subject areas in grades four, five and six.

    • Freshman Admission Requirements

    All incoming freshmen entering in the 2010-11 academic year must meet one of the following requirements:

    • Graduate in the top 10% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 17 ACT or 820 SAT
    • Score 22 ACT or 1020 SAT with a 2.7 high school GPA
    • Graduate in the top 60% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 21 ACT or 980 SAT

    Additionally, incoming freshmen must meet Ohio articulation requirements including: 

    • College-preparatory English (4 units)
    • College-preparatory math (3 units)
    • Science (2 units)
    • Social science (2 units)
    • Foreign language (2 units same language)
    • Fine arts (1 unit)
    • Additional units from above (2 units)

    Advancement in all education programs consist of a two-step process. The first step is admission as an education major, typically as an entering freshman or transfer student. The second step involves application to the Professional Cohort, which occurs during the second year for all Early Childhood, Middle School or Special Education majors. Secondary Education students apply to the Professional Cohort during the third year. During the Professional Cohort, additional documentation must be submitted to faculty prior to placement in an internship.

    Transfer Admission Requirements

    All transfer students must have completed the high school course requirements listed above.

    All transfer students must apply and be admitted to the college and, separately, to the professional cohort.

    • All transfer students must meet the GPA requirement of 2.8.
    • All transfer students who have accumulated more than 90 credit hours and who meet the transfer requirements must also apply to the professional cohort. (Students apply during the academic year prior to their cohort year.)

    Application Information

    Program Code: 18BSED-MDL

    Application Deadlines

    Application deadlines for freshmen are as follows: fall quarter - June 1; winter quarter - November 15; spring quarter - February 1; summer quarter - May 1.

    Application deadlines for all transfer students are as follows: fall quarter - August 1; winter quarter - November 15; spring quarter - February 1; summer quarter - May 1.

    Students applying for admission after closing dates may be referred to Raymond Walters College or Clermont College.

    UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, fall is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin that quarter.

    Program Requirements

    Duration

    Full-time program duration: 4 years

    Majoring Details

    The goal of the middle childhood education program is to prepare candidates for success. Through course work, field experience and internships, candidates learn the skills necessary to meet the challenges and changing needs of schools and communities.

    Each candidate must complete course work in two licensure disciplines, as well as course work in educational and professional studies referred to as the professional cohort. The program provides on-site contact with schools and social agencies. These experiences give candidates the professional point of view and practical understanding essential to the preparation of effective teachers. In cooperation with area school systems, candidates complete a wide range of field experiences and teaching internships in urban and suburban classrooms.

    Advancement in the program consists of a three-step process. The first step is admission to the college as an education student. The second step involves admission into the professional cohort, which occurs during the second year (i.e., sophomore status or its equivalent). For more information about the cohort selection process and criteria, please contact an academic advisor.  During year two, education students who meet requirements for advancing in the program must attend a mandatory information meeting during fall quarter and in early winter submit a completed application for admission to the middle childhood education cohort that begins the following fall quarter.  Enrollment is limited; admission is competitive.

    Once admitted into the cohort, students take their professional education courses. During the third year, students also complete a practicum. The third step of the admission process occurs during this year. During the fall quarter of the third year, students must attend a mandatory information meeting. In late winter, students must submit a completed application for admission to the internship that begins the following fall quarter.

    Upon successful completion of the undergraduate program requirements, students earn a baccalaureate degree from the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH). After successful completion of the licensure program and passing state-required Praxis tests, candidates are eligible to apply for an appropriate state of Ohio teaching license.

    The middle childhood education program consists of both an undergraduate and graduate program that prepares candidates for teaching young adolescents in grades four through nine. Candidates can also earn licensure while pursuing a master’s degree in middle childhood education. Licensure, while connected to the master’s degree program, can be completed prior to the master’s degree depending on the candidate’s scheduling of course work. The middle childhood education program also offers a master’s degree in middle childhood education for those who have already obtained licensure.

    Graduation Requirements

    In order to graduate from the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, a student must:

    • Complete all required course work and program requirements.
    • Attain at least a 2.8 cumulative grade point average, with a 2.5 GPA in both content areas.
    • Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
    • Meet the college's residency requirement of 45 credit hours.
    • File formal application for the degree by the posted quarter of graduation deadline.

    Accreditation

    The educator preparation programs at the University of Cincinnati are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). In addition, the middle childhood education program is accredited by the following associations: the National Middle School Association, the National Council for Teachers of English, the National Council for the Social Studies, the National Science Teachers Association and the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics. This program has been determined to meet the Ohio reading mandate and is aligned with the Ohio content area standards.
    Student Success Factors

    Successful candidates are those who:

    • know how young adolescents learn and develop;
    • can articulate the central concepts, tools of inquiry and the structures of their discipline;
    • collaborate effectively with others to develop their own professional competence;
    • demonstrate leadership through family and community involvement;
    • address issues of diversity with equity;
    • use technology to support their practice;
    • use assessment to inform their classroom practices;
    • demonstrate pedagogical and philosophical knowledge of the middle school concept;
    • embrace the intent of the program through learning situations within an urban environment;
    • exhibit responsible, caring, fair and honest behavior; and,
    • commit to the endeavor of social justice.
    Career Possibilities
    Graduates of the middle childhood education program may teach in public or private schools. The middle childhood license allows teachers to teach two licensure areas in grades four through nine. There are additional endorsements that allow teachers to teach in either or both of the additional licensure areas for grades four through nine. Graduates of the middle childhood program usually elect to teach in Ohio, but graduates teach across the nation. Opportunities depend in part on the fields of specialization chosen by the student.

    Core Curriculum

    This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

    If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

    Curriculum sheets for each combination of licensure areas are available by contacting the Undergraduate Student Services Center.

    Focus Areas

    There is no minor offered in middle childhood education.

    Opportunities

    Formed as the Teachers College in 1905, the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services continually merits local, state and national recognition. Recent commendations include:

    • accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the organization responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education;
    • a number 78 ranking in U.S. News & World Report;
    • the Best Practice Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE); and
    • consistently high scores by candidates on state mandated licensure exams -- 100 percent pass rate on the Praxis II licensure tests.

    In addition, the middle childhood education program provides small classes, talented faculty in each discipline and extensive field clinical experiences in urban and suburban schools.

    Experiential Learning

    Required teaching experience