Middle Childhood (Grades 4-9) Licensure BSE
Get ready to teach grades 4-9 in two subject areas of your choice. You'll pick two concentrations from Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, then graduate with both a BSE and Ohio licensure to teach in middle and upper-elementary classrooms.
Program Overview
Shawnee State University’s Middle Childhood Education Licensure Program prepares future educators to teach students in grades 4 through 9. Grounded in a comprehensive curriculum, the program is built around four core subject areas—Reading & Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies—from which students select two concentrations to specialize in.
This degree is perfect for those interested in working with upper-elementary and middle school learners in subject-specific classroom settings. Students receive a strong foundation in education theory and classroom management, as well as field experience beginning early in the program and culminating in a student teaching semester.
Candidates graduate with both a Bachelor of Science in Education and Ohio licensure to teach Grades 4–9 in their selected subject areas. This program prepares students to teach, lead, and inspire the next generation of learners during their formative middle years.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
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Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision
Most decisions in under 7 days.
At A Glance
Middle Childhood (Grades 4-9) Licensure BSE
Degree
BSE
Format
On campus
Length
4 years (full-time)
Credits
123-131 (depends on concentration choices)
Why Study Middle Childhood (Grades 4-9) Licensure BSE at Shawnee University
Pick your two concentrations. You'll choose two of four content areas: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies, and graduate qualified to teach both.
Field experience starts early. You begin building classroom hours from your first education course and continue through every semester until a full student-teaching placement.
Subject-specific methods. Your methods courses are tied to your actual content areas - you don't get a generic 'how to teach' track.
Built for inclusive classrooms. Coursework in exceptional learning needs, literacy, and classroom management prepares you for diverse middle-grade learners.
Strong mentorship. Small classes mean faculty know your goals and help you map a path.
The 123-131 credit degree (range depends on your concentration choices) pairs general education and pedagogy with two subject-area concentrations.
- General Education Program (41 credits)
- Professional Education Core (12 credits): teaching profession, educational media and technology, cultural diversity, exceptional learning needs, curriculum and assessment, teaching reading in content area
- Related Studies (6 credits): psychology of children and adolescents, educational psychology
- Middle Childhood Core (33 credits): foundations, middle-school curriculum and management, two subject-specific methods courses, capstones, directed teaching, literacy and phonics, young adult literature
- Content Concentration 1: choose one of Language Arts and Reading (21 credits), Mathematics (21 credits), Science (24 credits), or Social Studies (18 credits)
- Content Concentration 2: choose a second of the four content areas (same credit ranges)
Field experiences are built into the program from the start. You begin with observation hours in diverse school settings and work up to methods-based classroom teaching in your two subjects. The program ends with a semester-long student teaching experience (EDMC 4490) under a licensed mentor teacher and university supervisor.
- Design and deliver age-appropriate instruction in two content areas
- Differentiate instruction for diverse learners in grades 4-9
- Apply middle-grade classroom management and instructional planning techniques
- Integrate technology, assessment, and literacy strategies across content areas
- Collaborate with colleagues, families, and communities to support student learning
On campus at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio. Field placements and student teaching happen in regional schools.
- Grades 4-9 classroom teacher in two content areas
- Middle school subject-area teacher (public or private)
- Upper-elementary teacher in a departmentalized setting
- Curriculum and instructional roles in middle-grade education
- Graduate study in education, curriculum, or your content area
Graduates work in public and private middle schools across Ohio. The Ohio Middle Childhood license has reciprocity in many other states - confirm specifics with your target state's licensure board.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State’s tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
License Test Requirements
Prior to Clinical Teaching our candidates must pass their Content Tests (028,030,029,031) in their licensure areas. The Pedagogy Test (002) must be passed before the candidates can apply for license. Effective July 1, 2017 candidates must have passed both the Content Tests and Pedagogy Test PLUS the Reading Test before they can apply for their license.
Middle Childhood (Grades 4-9) Licensure BSE Frequently Asked Questions
Two. You'll be licensed to teach grades 4-9 in the two content areas you choose during the program.
Early - field experiences start as part of EDUC 1115 and continue through every semester of the program.
Yes. The program is approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and meets Ohio's Middle Childhood (4-9) licensure requirements.
It's possible early in the program but may shift your graduation timeline. Talk with your faculty advisor before changing tracks.
Program handbook
Contact the program coordinator (pmadden@shawnee.edu or (740) 351-3547) for the current Middle Childhood program handbook. Course descriptions and degree requirements are in the Academic Catalog.
Below are the degree requirements for Middle Childhood Education in sequence.
To view them, you will need Microsoft Excel. If you can’t open this document please contact pbrown@shawnee.edu for an alternative.
Accreditation
Approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and aligned with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Graduates are eligible to apply for Ohio Middle Childhood Licensure (Grades 4-9) in their selected concentration areas. Shawnee State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
