Curriculum Requirements
Candidates in the Middle Grades Education (MGE) Program are involved in a rigorous program of study, which integrates content knowledge, skills, and pedagogy. Candidates are prepared to work in diverse cultural contexts through extensive field experiences and technological foci. The MGE degree, with concentrations in the content areas noted above, prepares candidates for teaching in public schools at the middle level (grades 6-9) and leads to an initial North Carolina teaching license.
1. 124-128 Credit Hours
Complete a minimum of 124 semester hours with a continuous cumulative grade point average of 2.7 or better. The last 30 hours should be completed at NCCU. Grades of ‘C’ or better are required in all major and concentration courses. Candidates must repeat courses with grades of ‘D’ and ‘F’ in the major. Candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7 throughout the program.
2. General Education Requirements (39 Credit Hours):
Complete the General Education Curriculum required by the university as detailed on the four-year course of study. Candidates must have a ‘C’ or better in ENG 1110 , ENG 1210 , MSCM 1250 or MSCM 2200 . Candidates in the MGE program should consult with their academic advisor or graduation specialist to determine which courses they need to complete to meet both GEC and MGE academic content/concentration requirements.
3. Major Requirements (89 Credit Hours):
Non-departmental requirements
- Students should consult with their academic advisor, graduation specialist, and/or program coordinator to determine non-departmental requirements.
Departmental Requirements (must have a ‘C’ or better ): 48 Hours (SHOULD BE UPDATED BASED ON APPROVED CURRICULUM CHANGES)
4. Concentration Requirements (must have a grade of ‘C’ or better) : 36-41 Credit Hours (COURSES WITHIN EACH CONCENTRATION AREA SHOULD BE UPDATED BASED ON APPROVED CURRICULUM CHANGES AND LISTED AS THE EXAMPLES BELOW)
Science (18 Credit Hours)
5. Additional Requirements: (THESE SECTIONS BELOW CAN BE UPDATED FOR EACH CONCENTRATION CLUSTER AREA.)
Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP)
The TEP follows the University’s policies for admission. During the first two years, the prospective candidate completes the University’s General Education Curriculum (GEC). The prospective candidate is eligible for formal admission to the TEP, a state requirement, if the applicant completes:
- All course work in the GEC (or if the applicant is on track to complete all GEC during the semester he/she applies);
- Course work with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7;
- Three English requirements in the General Education Curriculum with a minimum grade of “C” in each course (ENGL 1100, ENGL 1200, MSCM 1250 or MSCM 2200);
- The Praxis Core at a level required by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (for the SAT/ACT alternatives, please see the program coordinator); and
TEP application submitted via Taskstream, an electronic portfolio system.
Taskstream
Taskstream is a candidate assessment system used by all programs leading to licensure. Candidates should discuss Taskstream with their program coordinator and/or academic advisor. Students eligible to apply to the TEP will receive a registration code. The candidate must register promptly for the account in order to apply to the TEP and submit forms and program evidences in a timely manner. The candidate must maintain the account for the duration of the program.
Field Experience
All EDU courses require field experience hours in PK-12 North Carolina public schools and related educational settings. Requirements range from 10-90 hours in professional studies and methods courses to 600+ hours, which comprise the student teaching internship. These hours can be submitted to the Academic Community Service Learning Program Office to fulfill the NCCU community service requirement.
Criminal Background Checks
All candidates in the TEP will be required to successfully clear a Criminal Background Check (CRC). Criminal background checks may be done upon entering the program, at the midpoint assessment, prior to student teaching, and in applying for licensure. It is the candidate’s responsibility to provide both legal information and a letter of explanation regarding any charges (other than minor traffic violations) on the candidate’s record that may present a potential problem for field experience, student teaching, or licensure. The program coordinator and the coordinator of clinical experiences will request a meeting with the candidate to discuss any noted concerns with the information provided. At least one representative from a local, partnership school district may be contacted to determine whether or not the district(s) will allow the candidate to complete school-based experiences required for licensure. Acceptance, or continuance, in the Teacher Education Program will be based on the nature, date of occurrence, and resolution of the charges, as well as whether or not the candidate is approved by a public school system to complete required experiences.
Student Teaching
Student teaching experiences must occur in PK-12 North Carolina public schools. Candidates must participate in Level I Pre-Student Teaching during the semester prior to completing EDU 4107 and EDU 4207. If they successfully complete all Level I requirements, they will proceed to Level II Student Teaching. The Level II Student Teaching internship spans regular school day hours, each week, over the course of 15 weeks and provides an opportunity for the student teacher to gradually assume the responsibilities of a classroom teacher, while working closely with a cooperating teacher. All teacher education candidates must successfully complete all other course and program requirements before participating in EDU 4107 and EDU 4207., except completing the edTPA. Candidates must also read the Student Teaching Manual and apply for student teaching using the electronic assessment system.
edTPA
edTPA is a performance-based, subject-specific assessment and support system used by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to emphasize, measure, and support the skills and knowledge that all teachers need from Day 1 in the classroom. The edTPA assessment includes versions of 27 subject-specific teaching fields. The assessment features a common architecture focused on three tasks: Planning, instruction, and assessment.
All candidates, seeking initial licensure, are expected to complete the edTPA portfolio assessment. Candidates will be expected to meet the expected minimum score, as established by NCDPI, for licensure recommendation. edTPA requires candidates to demonstrate readiness to teach through lesson plans designed to support their students’ strengths and needs; engage real students in ambitious learning; analyze whether their students are learning, and adjust their instruction to become more effective. Teacher candidates submit unedited video recordings of themselves at work in real classrooms as a part of a portfolio that is scored by highly trained educators external to NCCU.
Licensure Examinations
Candidates must pass both content/concentration area Praxis II examinations before participating in EDU 4107 and 4207 (Level II Student Teaching). Candidates must pass all required tests for licensure in North Carolina in order to be eligible and recommended for licensure in NC.
6. Program Notes :
Majors Meetings and Professional Development Activities
Candidates are encouraged to attend Majors Meetings and professional development sessions during each academic semester.
Prepare for Praxis Core
Students should contact the Supplemental Instruction Coordinator I to determine their Praxis Core status early (i.e., freshman year), and begin preparing for any parts of the test they must take at that time. Students are encouraged to complete all Praxis requirements no later than the second semester of the sophomore year with the guidance and support of their advisor and the Supplemental Instruction Coordinator I.
Restricted Courses
Courses listed as EDU 3150 and higher are restricted and require admission to the Teacher Education Program.
NC MGE Teacher Licensure Requirements
Candidates must pass all required licensure tests in North Carolina in order to be eligible for licensure in NC.
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