Middle Level Education (Grades 4-8)
The mission of the middle-level certification program at Moravian University is to prepare knowledgeable and competent professionals who become educational leaders. We provide a comprehensive approach to mentoring pre-service teachers through teaching and research addressing the specific affective and cognitive needs of adolescents.
Moravian University's middle level pre-service teachers are knowledgeable about the organization and philosophy of middle school education, adolescent development, the fourth through eighth grade curriculum, skills necessary for middle level instruction, use of data for assessment, effective classroom management strategies, current skills in the use of educational technology, and the design of successful interventions responsive to the needs of individual middle level students.
Middle-level certification candidates complete a liberal arts core of studies, an academic major in English, General Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Historical Studies, or an approved interdisciplinary combination; education courses for teacher certification; and a sequence of field experiences that are developmentally appropriate, linked directly to education coursework, in a variety of educational settings.
Major Requirements and the LinC Curriculum
Students seeking certification in middle level education (grades 4 through 8) must complete a major in Mathematics, General Science, English, History, or Historical Studies, or they may complete a pre-approved interdepartmental major in Mathematics/General Science, Mathematics/English, or General Science/English. See the Interdisciplinary Programs section for specific requirements for majors in general science and historical studies and for pre-approved interdepartmental majors.
Students must also complete the Moravian's program of general education, Learning in Common. Students must select Mathematics 120 to fulfill the requirement in Quantitative Reasoning (F2) and Environmental Science 112 to fulfill the lab science requirement (F4). (Students majoring in Mathematics, Mathematics/General Sciences, or Mathematics/English are exempted from taking Mathematics 120. Students majoring in Mathematics may substitute Physics 111 for Environmental Science 112.) Students also need an additional half-unit course in Math. (Again, students majoring in Math are exempted from this requirement.)
In the Multidisciplinary (M) categories, students must take History 113 to fulfill the Historical Studies (M1) requirement; Education 131 to fulfill the Literature (M2) requirement; Education 160 to fulfill the Ultimate Questions (M3) requirement; Political Science 110 to satisfy the Economic, Social, and Political Systems (M4) requirement; and Interdisciplinary 110 to fulfill the Cultural Values and Global Issues (M5) requirement.
The Aesthetic Expression (M6) requirement is waived for these students.
In addition, middle level education students must complete one of the two Upper-Division (U) categories, which may be a part of the major; the other is waived.
Professional Education courses required for certification
Recommended for Freshman Year
- EDUC 100.2 Intro. to the Education of English Language Learners (Fall)
- EDUC 160 Culture, Community & Diversity (Spring; 40-hour Stage1&2 Field Experience/ fulfills M3)
Recommended for the Sophomore Year
- EDUC 131 Young Adult Literature (Spring only, fulfills M2 requirement)
- EDUC 140.2 Computer Technology in the Classroom
- EDUC 230 Student Development & Instructional Design (Fall, Stage 1&2 Field Experience)
Recommended for the Junior Year
- EDUC 244 Including Students with Disabilities (Fall)
- EDUC 330 Social Studies for Middle Level Learners (Spring, with 359.2)
- EDUC 333 Literacy for the Middle Level Learner (Spring, with 359.2)
- EDUC 359.2 Pre-Student-Teaching Field Experience (Spring, 75-hour Stage 3 Field Experience)
Recommended for the Senior Year
- EDUC 232.2 Interventions for Middle Level Learners (Fall only)
- EDUC 331 Science for Middle Level Learners (Fall, with 358.2)
- EDUC 332 Mathematics for Middle Level Learners (Fall, with 358.2)
- EDUC 358.2 Pre-Student-Teaching Field Experience (Fall, 75-hour Stage 3 Field Experience)
- EDUC 371 Issues in Middle Level Education
- EDUC 375-7 Student Teaching Experience (Spring, Stage 4 Field Experience)
In addition to the Education courses, students seeking certification in middle-level English (grades 4 through 8) must complete a major in English, following a modified version of the English major that requires:
- English 221 and 225
- two period courses (one British/Transatlantic and one American, one of which must be pre-20th century)
- a genre course
- a writing course (English 211, 212 or another 200-level writing course designated by the English Department)
- the capstone experience (for certification students, student teaching serves as the capstone)
- three courses selected in consultation with the advisor
Students must also complete the University’s program of general education, Learning in Common. Students must select Mathematics 120 to fulfill the requirement in Quantitative Reasoning (F2) and Environmental Science 112 to fulfill the lab science requirement (F4). Students also need an additional half-unit course in Math. In the Multidisciplinary (M) categories, students must take History 113 to fulfill the Historical Studies (M1) requirement; Education 131 to fulfill the Literature (M2) requirement; Education 160 to fulfill the Ultimate Questions (M3) requirement; Political Science 110 to satisfy the Economic, Social, and Political Systems (M4) requirement; and Interdisciplinary 110 to fulfill the Cultural Values and Global Issues (M5) requirement.
The Aesthetic Expression (M6) requirement is waived for these students. In addition, middle-level education students must complete one of the two Upper-Division (U) categories, which may be a part of the major; the other is waived.
In addition to the Education courses, students seeking Pennsylvania certification in middle-level education with an interdisciplinary program in General Science complete nine Science courses including:
- Biology 111, 112, or 119
- Biology 107 or Environmental 110
- Chemistry 108 or 113
- Physics 109 or 111
- Two courses from Environmental 111 (Geology), Physics 106 (Meteorology), Physics 108 (Astronomy)
- Three science electives.
In addition, students complete the Learning in Common (LinC) curriculum, Mathematics 107, and Interdisciplinary 320.2. For LinC requirements students must select Mathematics 120 to fulfill the requirement in the Quantitative Reasoning (F2) category and Biology 107 or Environmental 112 to fulfill the lab science requirement (F4).
In the Multidisciplinary categories, they must take History 113 to fulfill the requirement in Historical Studies (M1); Education 131 to fulfill the requirement in Literature (M2); Education 160 to satisfy the Ultimate Questions (M3) category; Political Science 110 to satisfy the requirement in Economic, Social, and Political Systems (M4); and Interdisciplinary Studies 110 to fulfill the Cultural Values and Global Issues (M5) category.
The Aesthetic Expression (M6) requirement is waived for these students. Middle-level education students must complete only one of the Upper-Division category requirements.
Middle-level education students must complete the professional sequence in middle-level education:
- Education 100.2 Taken in the Fall of Freshman year
- Education 160 Taken in the Spring of Freshman year
- Education 140.2 and 230 Taken in Fall of the Sophomore year
- Education 131 Taken in the Spring of the Sophomore year
- Education 244 Taken in the Fall of the Junior year
- Education 332, 333, and 358.2 Taken in the Spring of the Junior year
- Education 330, 331, 332.2, and 358.2 Taken in the Fall of the Senior year
- Education 371, 375, 376, and 377 Taken in Spring of the Senior year
In addition, Environmental 111 with a grade of C or better is the prerequisite for Education 331. Mathematics 120 with a grade of C or better and Mathematics 107 are prerequisites for Education 332. History 113 with a grade of C or better, Political Science 110, and Interdisciplinary Studies 110 are prerequisites for Education 330.
Students in the middle-level certification program may also complete a pre-approved interdisciplinary major in Mathematics/elementary General Science or elementary General Science/English.
General Science / English Certification
In addition to the Education courses, students seeking certification in middle-level General Science/English education (grades 4 through 8) must complete a pre-approved interdepartmental major in General Science/English. The interdisciplinary major in elementary general science and English for middle-level teacher certification consists of twelve courses, including:
- Biology 111, 112, or 119
- Environmental Studies 110
- Chemistry 108 or 113
- Physics 109 or 111
- Two courses chosen from Environmental 111 (Geology), Physics 106 (Meteorology), Physics 108 (Astronomy)
- Education 131; English 211 or 212 (writing intensive)
- English 221
- English 225 (writing intensive)
- and two courses in English numbered 200 or above, one of which must also satisfy the U1 or U2 LinC requirement.
Students must also complete the University’s program of general education, Learning in Common. Students must select Mathematics 120 to fulfill the requirement in Quantitative Reasoning (F2) and Environmental Science 112 to fulfill the lab science requirement (F4). Students also need an additional half-unit course in Math. In the Multidisciplinary (M) categories, students must take History 113 to fulfill the Historical Studies (M1) requirement; Education 131 to fulfill the Literature (M2) requirement; Education 160 to fulfill the Ultimate Questions (M3) requirement; Political Science 110 to satisfy the Economic, Social, and Political Systems (M4) requirement; and Interdisciplinary 110 to fulfill the Cultural Values and Global Issues (M5) requirement.
The Aesthetic Expression (M6) requirement is waived for these students. In addition, middle-level education students must complete one of the two Upper-Division (U) categories, which may be a part of the major; the other is waived.
In addition to the Education courses, students seeking certification in middle-level Mathematics (grades 4 through 8) must complete a major in Mathematics. The major in mathematics consists of ten course units in mathematics: nine course units in mathematics plus a capstone experience are required. All mathematics majors are required to take the following five courses:
- Mathematics 170 (or its equivalent sequence Mathematics 106-166)
- Mathematics 171
- Mathematics 211
- Mathematics 216
- Mathematics 220
In addition, each Mathematics major will engage in a capstone experience. Mathematics 370 will serve as the capstone experience for most majors. Successful completion of Mathematics 400-401 (Honors) can serve as an alternative capstone experience, although students who plan to pursue an Honors project are encouraged to take Mathematics 370 in their junior year.
For the additional four mathematics courses that students take to complete the major (other than the five required courses and the capstone experience), students must choose at least one from each of the groups described below. In addition, students must have at least three courses numbered 310-380, 390-399, or 400-401. (One of these three may be Mathematics 370.)
In order for students to understand and experience the breadth of Mathematics, the Department's major courses (other than the required courses and Mathematics 370) have been grouped into three areas: algebra/geometry topics; analysis topics; and applied Mathematics topics. Current catalog courses in each of these areas are as follows:
- Algebra/Geometry: Mathematics 313 and 340.
- Analysis: Mathematics 221, 327, 328, and 329.
- Applied Mathematics: Mathematics 214, 225, 231, and 332
As special topics or new courses are offered, they will be placed in the appropriate group.
Students must also choose two co-requisite courses from the following group of four courses:
- Physics 111
- Physics 112
- Computer Science 120
- Computer Science 121
Substitutions for this requirement may be made only with the approval of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department.
In fulfilling the above requirements, students planning to teach Mathematics in secondary schools must complete the following courses:
- Mathematics 170 (or its equivalent sequence Mathematics 106-166)
- Mathematics 171
- Mathematics 211
- Mathematics 216
- Mathematics 220
- Mathematics 231
- Mathematics 313
- Mathematics 340
- Mathematics 370
- One of the following: Mathematics 221, 327, 328, or 329
Students must also complete the University’s program of general education, Learning in Common. In the Multidisciplinary (M) categories, students must take History 113 to fulfill the Historical Studies (M1) requirement; Education 131 to fulfill the Literature (M2) requirement; Education 160 to fulfill the Ultimate Questions (M3) requirement; Political Science 110 to satisfy the Economic, Social, and Political Systems (M4) requirement; and Interdisciplinary 110 to fulfill the Cultural Values and Global Issues (M5) requirement.
The Aesthetic Expression (M6) requirement is waived for these students. In addition, middle-level education students must complete one of the two Upper-Division (U) categories, which may be a part of the major; the other is waived.
Mathematics / English Certification
In addition to the Education courses, students seeking certification in middle-level Mathematics/English education (grades 4 through 8) must complete a pre-approved interdepartmental major in Mathematics/English. The interdisciplinary major in Mathematics and English for middle level teacher certification consists of twelve course units, including:
- Mathematics 170, 171, 211 or higher, 216 (writing intensive), 220, and 340
- Education 131
- English 211 or 212 (writing intensive)
- English 221
- English 225 (writing intensive)
- two courses in English numbered 200 or above, one of which must also satisfy the U1 or U2 LinC requirement.
Students must also complete the University’s program of general education, Learning in Common. Students must select Environmental Science 112 to fulfill the lab science requirement (F4). In the Multidisciplinary (M) categories, students must take History 113 to fulfill the Historical Studies (M1) requirement; Education 131 to fulfill the Literature (M2) requirement; Education 160 to fulfill the Ultimate Questions (M3) requirement; Political Science 110 to satisfy the Economic, Social, and Political Systems (M4) requirement; and Interdisciplinary 110 to fulfill the Cultural Values and Global Issues (M5) requirement.
The Aesthetic Expression (M6) requirement is waived for these students. In addition, middle-level education students must complete one of the two Upper-Division (U) categories, which may be a part of the major; the other is waived.
General Science / Mathematics Certification
In addition to the Education courses, students seeking certification in middle-level General Science/Mathematics education (grades 4 through 8) must complete a pre-approved interdepartmental major in General Science/Mathematics. The interdisciplinary major in Mathematics and elementary General Science for middle-level teacher certification consists of twelve course units, including:
- Mathematics 170, 171, 211 or higher, 216 (writing intensive), 220, and 340
- Biology 111, 112, or 119
- Environmental Studies 110
- Chemistry 108 or 113
- Physics 109 or 111
- Two courses chosen from Environmental 111 (Geology), Physics 106 (Meteorology), Physics 108 (Astronomy)
Students must also complete the University’s program of general education, Learning in Common. In the Multidisciplinary (M) categories, students must take History 113 to fulfill the Historical Studies (M1) requirement; Education 131 to fulfill the Literature (M2) requirement; Education 160 to fulfill the Ultimate Questions (M3) requirement; Political Science 110 to satisfy the Economic, Social, and Political Systems (M4) requirement; and Interdisciplinary 110 to fulfill the Cultural Values and Global Issues (M5) requirement.
The Aesthetic Expression (M6) requirement is waived for these students. In addition, middle-level education students must complete one of the two Upper-Division (U) categories, which may be a part of the major; the other is waived.
Social Studies / Historical Studies Certification
In addition to the Education courses, students seeking certification in middle-level Social Studies (grades 4 through 8) must complete a major in Historical Studies. Minimum requirements for the departmental major in historical studies are:
- History 112 or 116; History 113 or 114
- One 100-level history course focusing on an area outside Europe or the United States
- History 270
- Two additional history courses at the 200 level and two at the 300 level, to include at least one course each in United States history, European history, and history of an area outside Europe and the United States.
- Political Science 110
- Political Science 115 or 125, or a political science course in an international topic, chosen in consultation with an advisor.
- Interdisciplinary Studies 110
Students whose background in history makes them eligible to waive one or more introductory courses may substitute an additional history course or courses numbered 210 or above. Students are encouraged to take more courses in history or political science in order to prepare better for teaching.
Students must also complete the University’s program of general education, Learning in Common. Students must select Mathematics 120 to fulfill the requirement in Quantitative Reasoning (F2) and Environmental Science 112 to fulfill the lab science requirement (F4). Students also need an additional half-unit course in Math. In the Multidisciplinary (M) categories, students must take History 113 to fulfill the Historical Studies (M1) requirement; Education 131 to fulfill the Literature (M2) requirement; Education 160 to fulfill the Ultimate Questions (M3) requirement; Political Science 110 to satisfy the Economic, Social, and Political Systems (M4) requirement; and Interdisciplinary 110 to fulfill the Cultural Values and Global Issues (M5) requirement.
The Aesthetic Expression (M6) requirement is waived for these students. In addition, middle-level education students must complete one of the two Upper-Division (U) categories, which may be a part of the major; the other is waived.
Important Guidelines
- Students must complete all foundation (100 level) courses with grade C or better in order to continue taking upper level courses. Two 100-level courses require an early field experience. They may not be taken in the same semester. Students in middle level certification programs should take Education 100.2 in their first term of study at the University.
- Students must have an overall GPA of 2.7 in order to take education courses at the 200 level or above.
- All education courses must be completed prior to the start of student teaching. No other courses should be taken during student teaching which is completed in the senior year.
- Any of the above courses which you plan to complete at another institution must have prior written approval of the program coordinator.
Content Area Tests - required prior to certification
Middle Level Education 4-8
- 5152 PA Grades 4-8 Core Assessment
- 5153 Pedagogy Subtest
- 5154 ELA and Social Studies Subtest
- 5155 Math and Science Subtest
Middle Level Education 4-8 - Subject Concentration Test (Choose One)
- 5156 PA Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: English Language Arts
- 5157 PA Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: Social Studies
- 5158 PA Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: Mathematics
- 5159 PA Grades 4-8 Subject Concentration: Science
Please visit this site for more information: https://www.ets.org/praxis/site/test-takers/where-to-test.html
Test scores should be reported to Moravian University (RA2418) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
