If you’re in the process of becoming a teacher and you’d like to teach older children, you should take time to learn about middle school education specializations while you’re still earning your degree. One of the biggest differences between the requirements to becoming an elementary school teacher and a middle school teacher is that teachers who instruct at middle schools need to graduate with a specialization.
Since some states require middle school teachers to have a master’s degree, the educational pathway to entering the field can be very different from intermediate school teachers. As you are completing your undergraduate education, right as you are about to complete your general education requirements, you should learn about the specializations that are available before enrolling in classes. Here are some of your options:
Art Specializations
While studying as a Middle School Education major, you can focus your curriculum content on art by taking the Art program which consists of 120 semester hours for graduation. Some of the courses that you will be required to take when you choose to study for an Art Education degree include the standard education degree requirements and the following professional art education components:
- Content Area Reading
- Intro to Visual Arts
- Drawing
- Design
- Painting
- Art Education Studio
- Water-color Painting
- Art Education
- Art History
Health Education
Undergraduate students can also select the Health Education specialization for students in 5th grade and above. With this specialization, students will learn how to teach required health classes in junior high school and above. Some of the require specialization content includes:
- General Biology
- Foundations of Health Education
- Personal Health
- Mental and Emotional Health
- Nutrition for Weight Management
- Disease and Prevention
- Community Health
- Anatomy
Mathematics
With so much focus being placed on STEM programs starting in 5th grade and above, choosing a STEM-related specialization could be extremely beneficial for prospective middle school teachers. In fact, the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators states that turnover in this area of teaching is extremely high which leads to higher salaries and more opportunities. Anyone who specializes their degree in Math Education will complete the following courses:
- College Algebra
- College Trigonometry
- Elementary Statistics
- Calculus with Analytic Geometry
- Elementary Number Theory
- History of Math
- Math for Public Schools
- Abstract Algebra
- Methods to Teaching Math
Selecting a Specialization
There are plenty of other specializations available in Middle School Education. Some of these include Music, Physical Education, Special Education, and General Science. When selecting a specialization, students must first consider their strengths and passions. Since elementary education is very general in nature, degrees to teach middle schoolers require a larger focus. Be sure to consider demand, region, and salary expectations when comparing specializations.
Related Resource: Top 50 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education Online 2018
Teachers who are going to work in middle schools should be prepared to have studied to teach in at least two different disciplines. It’s important to look for these disciplines that cater to children in 5th through 9th grade. Once you have looked at specialization content of specific programs, you can choose the best middle school education specializations.