Middle Grades Education: Advanced Certification, M.A.
Prerequisite Degree: Bachelor’s and Georgia Teacher Certification
Piedmont College’s Master of Arts (M.A.) degree program with a major in middle grades education for grades 4-8 leads to recommendation for advanced certification in Middle Grades Education. The M.A. program is designed to meet the needs of those who already hold certification in middle grades education and who are seeking advanced certification (Level 5), or for those who hold certification in a field other than middle grades (early childhood or secondary) and seek to add a new field of certification.
The program consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours, 24 of which must be taken at Piedmont College, and 20 hours of field experience. Full time candidates can complete the program within one calendar year if approved for the minimum program. Students may take up to six years to complete the program. No course older than six calendar years may apply to graduation.
Course Requirements:
Required courses:
EDUC 5537 | Teaching Reading and Writing in the Content Areas | 3 |
EDUC 7703 | Social, Cultural, and Ethical Perspectives of Education | 3 |
EDMG 6645 | Advanced Teaching in the Middle School | 3 |
EDUC 6699 | Methods and Interpretation of Educational Research | 3 |
EDMG 7788 | Capstone/Exhibition | 3 |
EDUC 5537: required if not currently certified in middle grades education.
Four content area courses (minimum)
Content: Some courses may require prerequisites. (Select 4 in one content area with advisor)
Natural Science
The 5000 level courses are for those who have no experience in the course being taught:
The following courses are for those candidates who have a degree or the equivalent in science:
English
Mathematics
The 5000-level courses are for those who have no experience in the course being taught.
Social Science
Electives
Choose two from the following:
EDUC 6600 | Educational Assessment | 3 |
EDUC 6601 | Instructional Media and Technology for Teachers | 3 |
EDUC 6607 | Fundamentals of Learning and Cognition | 3 |
EDUC 6628 | Literature for Children: Expanding Students' Reading Abilities and Interests | 3 |
EDUC 6642 | Critical Thinking and Creativity in the Classroom | 3 |
EDUC 6656 | Essentials of Collaboration and Inclusion | 1 |
SPAN 5580 | Spanish for the Professions | 3 |
EDUC 6690 | Classroom Management | 3 |
EDUC 7701 | Critical Analysis of Current Trends and Issues in Education | 3 |
EDUC 7712 | Group Processes and Interpersonal Skills | 3 |
EDUC 7730 | School Law | 3 |
EDUC 7770 | The Foxfire Approach to Instruction | 3 |
EDUC 7721 | Characteristics of Gifted Students | 3 |
EDUC 7722 | Assessment of Gifted Students | 3 |
EDUC 7723 | Programs, Curriculum and Methods for Gifted Students | 3 |
Program Completion Requirements
- Completion of minimum course work hours: 30
- Completion of required field experience hours
- Submit and have approved an application for graduation the semester before graduation
- Earn an overall GPA of 3.0 in all graduate courses attempted, with not more than one grade of “C”
- Successful completion of Capstone
- Pass GACE in content area (if applicable)