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Middle Grades Education ,BAE

Middle Grades Education, BAE

Academic programs / Undergraduate degrees / Middle Grades Education

Adolescents, English language arts, Junior High School, Mathematics, Middle School, Science, Social Studies, Teacher, math

Prepare to teach learners in grades 5-9. Develop your teacher preparation skills and partake in extensive professional experiences, leading to teacher certification and readiness to support the unique needs of adolescents.

Program description

The BAE program in middle grades education prepares students for certification in teaching grades 5-9 in the state of Arizona. Students learn the essential knowledge and skills they need to become highly impactful middle-grades teachers, and they learn to plan and implement evidence-based practices that support the unique needs of adolescents. In addition to general education and foundational courses, students select one content area of focus: middle grades English language arts, middle grades general science, middle grades mathematics or middle grades social studies.

The middle grades education coursework emphasizes developmentally responsive curriculum, instruction and assessment practices that are grounded in research, empower teachers and students, and prioritize equity. Extensive professional experiences are built into this program to prepare students to enter the teaching profession after graduation. Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College has developed a distinctive approach to teacher-preparation, which includes student participation in internships and residencies while receiving guidance and support from faculty members and highly qualified certified teachers. Students complete internships prior to a full-time teaching residency. Professional experiences are designed to prepare graduates to work with mutually supportive colleagues to address the academic and social-emotional needs of learners.

Graduates earn an institutional recommendation from ASU for Arizona teacher certification in Middle Grades Education, and an endorsement in Structured English Immersion, PreK-12, from the Arizona Department of Education. In order to teach in an Arizona public school, graduates must pass the appropriate Arizona educator exams: National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments.

GI Bill® benefits

This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

At a glance
  • Second language requirement: No
  • First required math course: MAT 117 - College Algebra
    or MAT 142 College Mathematics
  • Math intensity: Moderateprogram math intensity moderate

Required courses (Major Map)
Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Change of Major requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.

Transfer options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Global opportunities
Global experience

Future educators must learn to create inclusive and inspiring learning environments, and they can do this by expanding their horizons through Global Education programs.

Students can learn how schooling works in countries that are leaders in education, and they can conduct comparative research, make a difference in a community by volunteering at schools, and engage in local educational programs through service-learning opportunities.

Career opportunities

Graduates of Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College are highly sought-out teachers in public, charter and private education institutions. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include:

  • instructional coach
  • instructional specialist
  • middle grades English language arts teacher
  • middle grades math teacher
  • middle grades science teacher
  • middle grades social studies teacher

Example job titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.


Career *Growth *Median salary
2.5%
$66,490
0.8%
$61,810
0.0%
$62,630
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook

Professional licensure

ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.

To be eligible for a middle grades education credential in Arizona, students must meet all requirements specified by the Arizona Department of Education, including passing the appropriate Arizona educator subject knowledge exam, as well as the professional knowledge exam offered through the National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments. Individuals who have previously earned a bachelor's or master's degree in the content area may be eligible to waive the subject knowledge exam and should contact MLFTCCompliance@asu.edu to learn more.

Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program in which residents of western states (other than Arizona) may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.

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