Middle Grades Language Arts Education, BS

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Middle Grades Language Arts Education is designed to prepare individuals to teach English/Language Arts in grades 5-9.  The program provides an educational pathway for students who have earned an Associate in Arts degree to include EDF 2005 , EDF 2085 , and EME 2040 . It is also a good option for students with a child development focus. Upon graduation, students will meet the mandated state teaching requirements for certification in Middle Grades Language Arts Education with ESOL and Reading endorsements.

Program Highlights:

The BS in Middle Grades Language Arts Education is a Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) approved program that culminates with both Reading and ESOL endorsement. The program includes courses that prepare teacher candidates to understand the nature of the adolescent learner and the middle grades philosophy. Content courses cover literature, composition, reading competency, classroom management, assessment, and integrated approaches to teaching methodologies at the middle school level. In addition, teacher candidates will take courses to prepare them to teach English language learners (ELLs) and students with exceptionalities. Students will learn to facilitate lessons that integrate the five strands of the language arts (reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing). Field experience requirements are progressive in nature, building upon previous semester experiences. Students will complete field experience, teach lessons through the practicum courses, and complete a full-time teaching internship in their final semester. Courses are offered for full-time and part-time students, with blended technology and online courses where applicable.

Admission Requirements:

In addition to fulfilling the entrance requirements for Florida SouthWestern State College, applicants for the BS in Middle Grades Language Arts Education degree program must meet the following requirements consistent with Florida Statute 1004.04:

1. Completion of the Associate in Arts (AA) degree or the equivalent, including all general education core requirements and required Florida mandated common course prerequisites. Students with a minimum of 60 transferable hours, with all general education core requirements and prerequisites met, may apply for admission.
2. Completion of the lower-division education prerequisite courses: EDF 2005 - Introduction to the Teaching Profession , EDF 2085 - Introduction to Diversity for Educators- (I) , and EME 2040 - Introduction to Technology for Educators , with grades of “C” or higher.
3. Completion of one 3-credit AML, ENL, or LIT course with a grade of “C” or higher.
4. Applicants must have a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the general education component of undergraduate studies or have completed the requirements for a baccalaureate degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale from any college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association, as defined by State Board of Education rule, with a minimum of 60 credit hours.
5. Demonstrated mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write, and compute, by passing the General Knowledge Test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination.
6. Applicants not meeting stated admissions criteria may petition for program admittance if they feel that there are mitigating circumstances. Applicants must submit an official petition form to the School of Education (forms are available online at www.fsw.edu/soe/resources/forms/Appeal%20Form.pdf).

Requirements to Enroll in Upper Division Courses:

1. Upon admission to the BS program, students must attend a mandatory orientation session prior to enrollment in upper division (3000 and 4000 level) courses.
2. Students must disclose background information that may preclude them from becoming certified at the time of admission.  For continued enrollment in the program, students must be fingerprinted and screened by the Florida Department of Law Enforcements and the FBI prior to entering any school.
3. Prior to enrollment in any upper division courses, students must complete ENC 1101 - Composition I , ENC 1102 - Composition II  and one general education math course.
4. To be eligible to enroll in LAE 4940 - Internship in Middle Grades Language Arts , students must have passed all sections of the General Knowledge Test, the Professional Educator’s Exam and the Subject Area Exam.
5. Cross-enrollment approval: Baccalaureate degree seeking students must obtain prior approval to cross enroll (as a transient student) in courses intended to fulfill upper division program requirements. Approval will be determined by the appropriate dean in collaboration with program faculty. Students initiate this process using www.floridashines.org/.
6. Upper Division Transfer Course Review: Students who have completed previous upper division coursework in an Education Program may present those courses for evaluation by the Discipline Chair for Education. In some cases, students may be required to submit portfolio icons or assignments to demonstrate competency in the required Florida Educator Accomplished Practices, reading or ESOL standards.  The student is urged to provide the Discipline Chair for Education with corresponding syllabi, samples of student work, and textbook/assignment information related to each upper division course.  Students may transfer equivalent courses as determined by the State Common Course Numbering System. However, Florida SouthWestern State College reserves the right to deny common course number credit for courses in which practicum or internship components reside. Students must fulfill all required competencies, standards, skills and dispositions within the Bachelor of Science in Education Programs and may be required to submit additional documentation to support completion requirements.
7. The Florida SouthWestern State College Registrar’s Office will ensure that previous coursework meets all relevant academic standards before acceptance for transfer. The Dean of the School of Education and the Education Admissions Committee will ensure adherence to the above admissions criteria.
8. In addition to adherence to the Florida SouthWestern State College Student Code of Conduct (Student Rights and Responsibilities), policies, and procedures, teacher candidates must adhere to disposition policies, unit policies, and procedures as published in the School of Education Student Handbook.

Priority Application Deadlines:

Fall term - August 1; Spring term - December 1; Summer term - April 1