Middle School Education

About the middle school education program

Missouri Southern State University's Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) in Middle School Education prepares future teachers to educate students in grades 5–9. The program allows students to focus on their areas of interest while developing the instructional skills needed to support early adolescent learners.

Students can pursue certification in one or two content areas, including:

• English Education – Prepare to teach English and communication arts to middle school students.
• Mathematics Education – Develop the skills needed to teach mathematics.
• Science Education – Prepare to engage students in scientific concepts and inquiry-based learning.
• Social Studies Education – Build the knowledge and teaching skills needed to teach history, government, and related subjects.

What You'll Learn in the Middle School Education Degree

Through coursework, field experiences, and clinical practice, you'll develop the knowledge and skills needed to support middle school learners and create engaging classroom experiences.

You'll learn how to:

• Design lessons that make subject-area content meaningful and engaging for students.
• Understand adolescent development and adapt instruction to meet diverse learning needs.
• Plan and implement curriculum aligned with learning standards.
• Use instructional strategies that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and student engagement.
• Create positive classroom environments that support learning and collaboration.
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and school communities.
• Use assessment strategies to measure student learning and guide instruction.
• Reflect on your teaching practices and continue growing as an educator.
• Build professional relationships with students, colleagues, and community partners.

Curriculum & courses 

The Middle School Education degree curriculum combines education coursework, subject-area preparation, field experiences, and clinical practice to prepare students for teacher certification in grades 5–9. Students can customize their degree by selecting one or two content areas.

Explore curriculum requirements and course details for each content area:

• English Education Major, Grades 5–9, B.S.Ed.
• Mathematics Education Major, Grades 5–9, B.S.Ed.
• Science Education Major, Grades 5–9, B.S.Ed.
• Social Studies Education Major, Grades 5–9, B.S.Ed.

related programs you might like 

• Elementary Education (K–6) - Prepare to teach younger learners through a program focused on elementary classroom instruction and student development.
• Secondary Education (9–12) - Develop the skills and subject-area knowledge needed to teach high school students in your chosen discipline.
• K–12 Education - Prepare to teach specialized subjects across kindergarten through 12th grade with a focus on your area of interest.
  
  

Accreditations and Memberships

• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MO DESE)
• American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
• Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE)
• Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities (TECSCU)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)
• American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U)
• Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)