4. Dual Concentration (total of 48 credit hours)
Middle Grades Education majors must complete the courses for ONE of the following dual concentrations:
(1) Language Arts and Math,
(2) Social Studies and Math,
(3) Language Arts and Science, or
(4) Social Studies and Science.
* Denotes concentration courses that can also be used to fulfill GEC requirements
5. Additional Requirements
Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP)
The TEP follows the University’s policies for admission. During the first two years of the program, candidates complete the University’s General Education Curriculum (GEC). To be eligible for formal admission to the TEP, candidates must:
1. Complete all GEC courses (or be on track to do so the semester that they apply for TEP admission).
2. Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 or higher.
3. Earn a grade of ‘C’ or higher in the following English courses: ENG 1110 and ENG 1210, and MSCM 1250.
4. Receive an official Praxis Core score which is at or above the minimum set by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (or the minimum score on another approved examination such as the ACT or SAT).
5. Submit the completed TEP application and all supporting documentation in Taskstream (details follow).
Taskstream
Taskstream is a candidate assessment system that is used in all programs that lead to licensure. Candidates should discuss Taskstream with their academic advisor and/or program coordinator. Taskstream accounts are created for candidates when they become eligible for formal admission to TEP. Login information is shared with candidates through their NCCU email account. All forms and documentation pertaining to TEP admission and to other programmatic gateways (e.g., Level I Pre-Student Teaching, Level II Student Teaching) must be uploaded and submitted via Taskstream.
Field Experience
All EDU courses require field experience hours in a PK-12 North Carolina public school or another approved educational setting. Field experience requirements associated with professional studies and methods courses range from 10-90 hours per semester. The Level II Student Teaching semester involves a full-time internship in an approved public-school classroom. These hours can be submitted to the Office of Community Engagement and Service Learning and used to fulfill NCCU’s community service requirement.
Criminal Background Checks
All candidates in the TEP will be required to successfully clear a Criminal Background Check (CBC). CBCs may be done at any point in the program (e.g., entry, midpoint, student teaching, licensure). It is the candidate’s responsibility to provide legal information and a letter of explanation regarding any charges (other than minor traffic violations) on the candidate’s record that may present a problem for field experience, student teaching, or licensure. The program coordinator and the coordinator of clinical experiences and licensure will request a meeting with the candidate to discuss any concerns with the information provided. At least one representative from a partner school district may be contacted to determine whether 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, recency, date of occurrence, and resolution of the charges, as well as whether or not the candidate is eligible to complete field experiences in public schools.
Student Teaching
Level II Student Teaching is done in PK-12 public schools in North Carolina. Candidates must apply to and participate in Level I Pre-Student Teaching the semester prior to Level II Student Teaching. To be eligible for Level II Student Teaching (i.e., EDU 4107, EDU 4207), candidates must complete Level I Pre-Student Teaching, as well as all coursework, content-area exams, and all other program requirements (except edTPA). No other courses may be taken during Level II Student Teaching. Candidates are required to participate in Level II Student Teaching for the duration of the school day for approximately 15 weeks. This allows student teachers to gradually assume full responsibility for the classroom, while working closely with an experienced cooperating teacher. Candidates are also required to read and follow the expectations outlined in the Student Teaching Manual and to submit all required documentation via the designated assessment system.
edTPA
edTPA is a performance-based, subject-specific assessment and support system used by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to emphasize, measure, and support the skills and knowledge that all teachers need from Day 1 in the classroom. The edTPA consists of three broad tasks including Planning, Instruction, and Assessment. T0 successfully complete the edTPA, candidates must be able to teach lessons that support students’ strengths and needs, engage real students in ambitious learning, analyze whether their students are learning, and adjust their instruction to become more effective. All initial licensure candidates are required to develop their edTPA, as per the instructions in the official edTPA handbook, and submit it for scoring during their Level II Student Teaching semester. Portfolios that are submitted for scoring are evaluated by highly trained educators external to NCCU. Candidates must earn the minimum cut score as established by NCDPI before they can be recommended for licensure.
Licensure Exams
To be eligible for Level II Student Teaching and to avoid delays in program completion, candidates must pass all required content-area Praxis exams (i.e., both subjects within their dual concentration). To allow time for any necessary retakes, candidates should plan to take all content-area exams at least two semesters before student teaching. Candidates who have not passed their content-area Praxis exams by the end of Level I Pre-Student Teaching will be encouraged to take additional courses to enhance their level of preparation.
Four-Year Curriculum Plan - Middle Grades Education (6-9)
Dual Concentration required. Middle Grades Education majors must complete ONE of the following options:
(1) Language Arts and Math,
(2) Social Studies and Math,
(3) Language Arts and Science, or
(4) Social Studies and Science.
Middle Grades Concentration
Middle Grades Education majors must complete ONE of the following dual concentrations:
(1) Language Arts and Math,
(2) Social Studies and Math,
(3) Language Arts and Science, or
(4) Social Studies and Science.