Middle Childhood Education

 

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Executive Director, School of Education: Dr. Glenda Ezell
Advising Coordinator: Dr. Monica Riley
Phone: 479-788-7942
Location: Math-Science Building, room 111
School Website: School of Education

Undergraduate Catalog

Degree Plans:

Special Programs in the School of Education

Majors

The Bachelors of Science in Middle Childhood Education 4-8 provides highly qualified teachers for the middle grades (4-8). The program provides a strong focus in specialized content areas as well as significant coursework in professional education. In addition to specialized coursework, the program includes general education courses to provide additional content preparation and background knowledge and skills necessary for a quality education.
 
In addition, the program is designed for students who have graduated in the top half of their high school class and who maintain a 2.75 minimum grade point average during their years in college. The School of Education is committed to excellence in teacher preparation through both classroom instruction and extensive field experiences.
 

What can you do with a degree in Middle Childhood Education?

There are numerous career opportunities for individuals who graduate with a degree in Middle Childhood Education. Public and private schools are in need of teachers qualified to teach at this level. Other opportunities consist of junior and community colleges as well as adult education centers. Further education may lead to specialization in counseling, media science, or administration.
 

Websites for Career Research

Why should you choose to major in Middle Childhood Education?

  • Take the Lead in making learning enjoyable and challenging by integrating subject content through cooperative groups and hands-on activities to meet the needs of diverse populations in learner-centered classrooms.
  • Demonstrate and facilitate learning using technology skills to meld the Virtual & Academic Worlds as a 21st Century Teacher.
  • Share a vision to make a difference in the lives of young adolescents in grades 4th through 8th grades.

Special Application Procedures 

There is an application process, and requirements for admission may change over time. Students must meet admission requirements current at the time of their final application for admission to the teacher education program.
Please see, the School of Education web site for detailed listing of admission requirements.

Internship Opportunities

  • Public Schools in Arkansas and Oklahoma

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Graduates are employed with:

  • Van Buren Public Schools
  • Mansfield Public Schools
  • Fort Smith Public Schools
  • Waldron Public Schools
  • Union Christian
  • Rogers Public Schools
  • Tulsa Public Schools
  • Bentonville Public Schools
  • Roland Public Schools

Academic Clubs, Organizations, and Honor Societies

Future Educators Association Professional
Future Educators Association Professional is a student leadership organization comprised of early childhood, elementary, middle level and secondary education majors. The organization provides opportunities for members to explore the teaching profession in a variety of ways. FEA Professional, sponsored by Phi Delta Kappa International, helps prepare pre-service teacher candidates for transition into the education profession as the next generation of teacher leaders.
Kappa Delta Pi
KDP is the education honor society. Membership is by invitation only.
Collegiate Middle Level Association
Collegiate Middle Level Association invites all those interested in the education of young adolescents to meet and work together.
 

Accreditation and Recognition

NCATE Accreditation - The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) was founded to accredit teacher certification programs at U.S. colleges and universities. NCATE is a council of educators created to ensure and raise the quality of preparation for their profession. NCATE is recognized as an accrediting institution by the U. S. Department of Education. Special congratulations were  recommended because the Board “ … cited no areas for improvement relative to any of the standards.” This is formal recognition and a guarantee that the School of Education and all of its programs and practices meet and exceed rigorous state and national standards and that quality teacher preparation is provided equivalent to the nation’s top colleges and universities.
CHEA Award - The Council for Higher Education Accreditation has awarded the 2010 CHEA Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice in Student Learning Outcomes to the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, one of four institutions in the nation and the only Arkansas university to receive one of the awards in 2010. The CHEA Award was established in 2005 to recognize institutions that have been exceptional in developing and applying evidence of student learning outcomes to improve higher education quality and accountability. A committee selected from higher education institutions, accrediting organizations and the public judged the winners on the basis of four award criteria: 1) articulation and evidence of outcomes, 2) success with regard to outcomes, 3) information to the public about outcomes; and 4) use of outcomes for educational improvement.
2009 Finalist for the AASCU Christa McAuliffe for Excellence in Teacher Education Award - Recognizes innovative teacher education programs that document the success of their graduates and their impact on the students they teach. The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith School of Education was a finalist for this honor.