Education - Middle Level Education: Grades 4 to 8

Please note: Overview information for Education Majors can be found by clicking here.

Education & Academic Success
Degree awarded: Associate in Arts

Program Narrative
The need for dedicated, caring, and highly skilled teachers in our nation's schools is greater than ever before. Northampton is committed to providing an excellent foundation for students preparing to major in middle level education when they transfer to a four-year college or university.

The College offers the first two years of the baccalaureate degree program. Completion of the Associate in Arts Degree with a major in Middle Level Education: Grades 4 to 8 allows for a smooth transition to a four-year institution. At the transfer institution students will take advanced courses leading to a degree and certification for grades 4 through 8.

Program Features
The Middle Level Education major provides students with a strong foundation in mathematics, science, language arts, and social sciences. Students start their professional courses with EDUC115 Education for All Students and SPED160 Introduction to Special Education. All teachers need to be able to work with special education students, and with students who have limited English proficiency. Northampton's program integrates content related to special education and English language learners (ELL). Students will then select education transfer electives based upon the institution to which they will transfer to complete the junior and senior years of the bachelor's degree. We encourage middle level majors to start thinking about their transfer institution as soon as possible so courses can be selected that provide a smooth transition from one college to the next.

Students interested in becoming an art teacher should refer to the Individualized Transfer Studies major which is the pathway from NCC to Kutztown University for art education.

The Middle Level Education major is offered on both the Bethlehem and Monroe campuses. All of the courses for this degree are available in the day time, and many of them are offered through evening courses.

Program Outcomes
Graduates of the program will:

• Explain the distinctive philosophy and characteristic components of developmentally responsive middle level programs and schools.
• Identify the range of developmental differences of all young adolescents and the implications of these differences for teaching and learning.
• Explain the historical, legal, and philosophical frameworks of special education to describe current trends, evidence-based practices, and resources relevant to the education of children with exceptionalities.
• Identify the process of acquiring multiple languages and literacy skills, and the sociocultural characteristics of English Language Learners.
• Plan positive, productive teaching and learning opportunities that take into consideration the developmental differences of adolescents.
• Practice being a positive role model and tutor to middle level students by upholding high professional standards in the school setting during 40 hours of early field experience.

+ Transfer Electives must be selected with the advice of an academic advisor so that courses will transfer to the students' intended transfer institution. Refer to transfer guides.
. EDUC105 Pre-Service Academic Assessment (PAPA) Preparation course assists students to prepare for the standardized exam. The course is not otherwise AA/AS applicable and is not transferable.
. Writing intensive courses include ENGL215G. One other course must be taken as writing intensive. ENGL215G also fulfils the Diversity elective.
. Taking both ENGL101C and ENGL151C satisfies the general education Computer Literacy Requirement.