Middle Childhood Education (4-9)

Middle Childhood Education Teaching Licensure Program

Want to become a middle or upper elementary school teacher in Ohio? If you have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college and a passion for teaching, Franklin’s Post-Baccalaureate Licensure Program offers a direct route to the world of middle childhood education, grades 4-9. This program offers flexibility for the organized and motivated working adult.

Program Availability

Online
On Site

Middle Childhood Education Post Baccalaureate Overview

In preparation for your role as a middle school teacher in Ohio, you’ll need to choose two areas of specialization from the following content areas to fulfill the necessary licensure requirements:

  • English Language Arts & Mathematics
  • Humanities (English Language Arts & Social Studies)
  • Mathematics & Social Studies
  • Science & English Language Arts
  • Science & Social Studies
  • STEM (Mathematics & Science)

In addition to being eligible to apply for licensure in the state of Ohio, you’ll acquire skills in pedagogy, content, methods, curriculum and teaching strategies and combine it with field experience and student teaching. We’ll place you at schools where you’ll gain valuable classroom field experience and apply your learning in a 16-week student teaching program.

An Upper Elementary or Middle School Teaching Career in Ohio is Within Reach

Post-Bacc students must complete education core courses in addition to the professional and pedagogical content courses for their chosen license area. You can use content courses completed as part of your bachelor’s degree with a grade of “C” or better to satisfy content requirements.

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Curriculum & Course Descriptions

Professional Education Component Courses (33 hours)
EDP 400 - Introduction to Principles of Education (3)
This course is designed for students who are enrolled in the post-Baccalaureate licensure program. This course focuses on the principles which influence teaching in the PK-12 classroom. Students will develop an understanding of the range of individual differences in the classroom and their implication on instruction and classroom environment.
EDP 401 - Education in Diverse Society (3)
This course explores the profession of education and examines the state, federal and institutional standards that guide the profession. Students will examine the psychological, sociological, and philosophical foundations of education as they relate to learning. Topics of discussion and analysis include the development of individual differences; atmosphere of respect; understanding students' needs grouping, education of minorities; how the teacher creates instructional opportunities that are equitable and adaptable to diverse learners; exploring the components of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.
EDP 403 - Nature & Need of Learners With Exceptionalities (3)
This course provides students the opportunity to develop an understanding of the philosophical, historical, and legal foundations of special education as well as an understanding of the characteristics of learners who have special needs; explore and define the concepts of special education in schools and society; acquire knowledge about the legal and procedural aspects of special education, and develop an understanding and respect for individual needs and diversity. Students relate multicultural issues, beliefs, and practices to the needs of the student with mild/moderate disabilities, explore crisis intervention/prevention models and strategies, and examine conflict resolution. This course presents students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of the issues relating to developing and encouraging positive social interaction skills, issues relating to the diverse emotional needs of students with mild/moderate disabilities, and issues relating to student behavior.
EDP 405 - Applying Educational Psychology to Instruction (3)
This course provides students the opportunity to apply the principles of education and teaching and learning theory to instructional design.
EDP 423 - Instructional Planning for Pk12 Learners (3)
This course is meant only for those students enrolled in a licensure program due to assignments and program assessments that require a clinical field experience placement. This course examines introductory aspects of instructional planning as well as the common strategies teachers employ to conduct their lessons. Basic elements of measurement and assessment that are essential to effective teaching are addressed. It assumes students have an understanding of the content they will teach and an extensive understanding and appreciation of the students with whom they will work. The overriding purpose of the course resides in the transformation of content and behavioral objectives into sequences of instructional activities that make them accessible to students and the central role assessment plays in the instructional process as teachers construct and utilize various types of assessment to provide valid measures of learning outcomes.
EDP 421 - Child & Adolescent Literature (3)
The course explores literature for the early and middle childhood aged student with an emphasis on standards for selection of materials with reference to the interests, needs, and abilities of children at the different levels within these ranges of ages. Attention is given to books and their uses in all subject matters. Special emphasis is placed on activities that will motivate early and middle childhood students to read. The goal of creating life-long readers is stressed.
EDUC 309 - Technology in the Classroom (3)
This course is designed to emphasize the connectivity of technology to the classroom and the general curriculum. Students will explore programs that will aid them in classroom management, data collection, student-produced work, creating instructional tools, and administration of classroom responsibilities. Students will develop products that can be used to support their teaching and the learning process of their students.
EDP 429 - Classroom Assessment (3)
This course is meant only for those students enrolled in the licensure program due to assignments that require a clinical field experience placement. This course will provide students the opportunity to examine and create a variety of valid and reliable classroom assessments. Students will also explore how to use data to influence classroom decisions, guide and improve teaching skills, and tailor instruction to individual learning needs. This course will also make the connection between constructive evaluation skills such as constructive feedback; helping student monitor their own progress; influence students' continuing motivation; and perceptions of self-efficacy as learners and their positive effect on student learning.
EDP 471 - Collaboration & Management (3)
This course is meant only for those students enrolled in a licensure program due to assignments and program assessments that require a clinical field experience placement. This course provides students the opportunity to develop skills in planning and managing the teaching and learning environment; managing student behavior and social interaction skills; communicating effectively; developing collaborative partnerships, and in demonstrating professionalism and ethical practices. Students become familiar with daily management skills, safety and health issues in the classroom, creating and modifying a supportive learning environment, and behavior management skills. The course also focuses on the development and interaction of the educational team, on methods and models of collaborative practices with parents, students, educational personnel, and members of the community and incorporates this into the instructional process.
EDP 472 - Differentiating Curriculum & Instruction (3)
This course is meant only for those students enrolled in a licensure program due to assignments and program assessments that require a clinical field experience placement. This course will provide students with the opportunity to explore research and theory on the effectiveness of differentiated classrooms; examine the importance of differentiating instruction for today's diverse student population; recognize the need to increase variety in teaching, learning, and assessment to respond to individual student needs; utilize strategies including assignment tiering, graphic organizers, critical thinking skills, reflection and assessment strategies customized for a mixed-ability classroom; diagnose student needs and prescribe tasks that create better matches between learning needs and preferences and plan and implement methods appropriate for assessing individual learning needs in a performance-based curriculum.
EDP 495 - PK12 Reflection and Seminar (3)
The PK12 Reflection and Seminar is the in-class seminar portion of the student teaching experienced designed to meet the requirements for the Resident Educator License. The seminar provides teacher candidates with an opportunity to continue developing skills needed to become a reflective practitioner based upon their practicum experience in the field component of student teaching.
Middle Childhood Education (15 hours)

Students are required to take the two Methods courses for their selected content areas.  All students are required to take the EDP 492.

EDUC 461 - Middle Childhood Language Arts Methods (3)
This course is meant only for those students enrolled in a licensure program due to assignments and program assessments that require a clinical field experience placement. This course provides teacher candidates with a survey of the methods and materials for teaching language arts. It includes the areas of grammar and usage, spelling, handwriting, composition, dramatics, and speaking. It shows students how reading ability is built solidly upon the other language arts of listening, speaking, and writing.
EDUC 462 - Middle Childhood Science Methods (3)
This course is meant only for those students enrolled in a licensure program due to assignments and program assessments that require a clinical field experience placement. The course examines the kinds of curricular themes, problems, and issues that are appropriate for candidates in the middle education program and is based upon appropriate developmental theory. Learned societies and other research literature have also been used to provide the basis for the selection of curriculum and teaching strategies. The emphasis is a hands-on approach to inquiry. The course provides candidates the framework for implementing the Ohio Science Standards.
EDUC 463 - Middle Childhood Social Studies Methods (3)
This course is meant only for those students enrolled in a licensure program due to assignments and program assessments that require a clinical field experience placement.. Attention is given to citizenship education, the world as a global community, the important role of values in guiding human behavior, financial literacy and individual differences among learners. Additionally, the course examines the nature, development, purpose and value of social studies with emphasis on methods and techniques of instruction, curriculum reorganization, and evaluation.
EDUC 464 - Middle Childhood Mathematics Methods (3)
This course is meant only for those students enrolled in a licensure program due to assignments and program assessments that require a clinical field experience placement. The course explores changes in both the content of the mathematics curriculum and the methodologies employed in teaching that content. Teacher candidates will examine the goals, materials, and methodologies most likely to achieve those goals.
EDP 492 - Professional Growth & Development MCE (9)
The professional growth and development practicum is the field portion of the student teaching experience designed to meet the requirements for licensure. The practicum is an in-depth clinical laboratory experience that provides opportunities to observe, analyze, plan, and practice teaching methods in a school setting. The experience enables the teacher candidate to move through stages of increased responsibilities under the guidance and with the support of a cooperating teacher and a university supervisor.
Foundations of Reading (12 hours)
EDUC 230 - The Teaching of Phonics (3)
This course is required for students seeking the Resident Educator Early Childhood License, the Resident Educator Middle Childhood License, and the Resident Educator Intervention Specialist License or enrolled in the Education Studies program. The focus is the explicit, systematic teaching of phonics: the history, the evidence, and the individual components of this approach. Letter-sound relationships, blending, word building, decoding multisyllable words and fluency are established as effective, evidence-based methods of teaching decoding skills. Application is addressed through explanations, models, and resources provided within the text and additional supplemental resources available through a companion website access.
EDUC 331 - Teaching Early Childhood Reading (3)
This course is required for students enrolled in the Education Studies program, or prospective teachers seeking a Resident Educator Primary, Middle Childhood, or Intervention Specialist License. The course examines the development of communication skills in early learners, from listening and speaking to reading and writing. It presents frameworks for the teaching of early literacy with specific strategies that are part of a balanced approach to literacy, as well as the implementation of Writing Workshop in the early elementary grades.
EDUC 332 - Reading in the Content Area (3)
This course is required for students enrolled in the Education Studies program or teacher candidates seeking the Resident Educator Middle Childhood or Adolescence to Young Adult License. The course explores the development from learning-to-read to using reading-to-learn. It investigates the role of vocabulary instruction, comprehension, study skills, and the writing process. It also addresses the assessment of textbooks, the reading process, and student motivation.
EDUC 431 - Diagnostic Reading & Remediation (3)
This course is required for students who are seeking the Resident Educator Early Childhood License, the Middle Childhood Licensure, or the Intervention Specialist License and is meant only for those students enrolled in a licensure program due to assignments that require a clinical field experience placement. The course provides an overview of the reading process. It explores the strategies that are needed for reading and discusses ways of encouraging the development of these strategies in children. It explores common miscues and discusses ways of using diagnostic reading instruments. It stresses the importance of developing positive attitudes toward reading, as well as developing reading skills.
Content Areas (48 hours)

Middle Childhood Education (Grades 4 to 9) license requires teachers to be highly qualified in two of the four major content areas: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Students will need 24 credit hours in each of their selected content areas to meet program requirements. The post-baccalaureate licensure program is highly customized based on the bachelor’s degree courses you’ve already taken and those still needed to satisfy the requirements to sit for Middle Childhood (Grades 4-9) licensure. As a result, required courses may be taken online directly from Franklin University, online through Franklin’s partnership with Acadeum or on-site or online as part of an agreement with one of our community college partners. Students should work directly with their academic advisor to review coursework remaining to fulfill their selected content areas and the best plan to complete those courses.

Post-Baccalaureate Requirements

Franklin’s Educator Preparation programs offer students who have completed a bachelor’s degree the opportunity to complete the pedagogical and specialized content coursework needed to apply for a Resident Educator initial license.

Educator Preparation Programs Admission Requirements/Materials:

  • Completed undergraduate application
  • Bachelor’s degree from an institutionally (formerly regionally) accredited institution
  • Official college transcript from any institution where coursework was completed

Program Outcomes

  1. Program completers will be able to identify and describe student milestones and related variations in all domains of student development.

  2. Program completers will be able to create engaging instruction that leads students to take ownership in learning.

  3. Program completers will be able to match instructional methodologies to students' needs and progress.

  4. Program completers will be able to create learning goals, objectives, and strategies aligned with specific standards and district priorities.

  5. Program completers will demonstrate the ability to establish a classroom culture this is inclusive to all students.

  6. Program completers will be able to help their students make significant connections with various aspects of the subject matter and other topics within their area of licensure in authentic and technology-related ways.

  7. Program completers will be able to identify ethical dilemmas, legal disparities, and policy gaps on district and state levels, and apply solutions within the appropriate parameters.

Find Your Education Program

Advance your career and be the difference maker you aspire to be with an online education degree from Franklin University. Franklin has education programs that cater to educators and leaders in traditional PK-12 roles, as well as those who work in corporate, nonprofit or governmental organizations. 

Educators bring out the best in those around them. Classroom teacher. Corporate trainer. CEO. Your passion will inform your path – and Franklin has the program to help you reach your destination.

Program Minimum Credentials
B.S. Adolescence to Young Adult (Grades 7-12) H.S. Diploma or Equivalent

What is it?
The B.S. Adolescence to Young Adult Education degree prepares students to teach grades 7-12 in Ohio by providing the coursework and assessments required to qualify for an Ohio Resident Educator License.   

What will I learn?
Course topics include lesson planning, classroom technology, classroom management and teaching strategies. In addition, the AYA Education program contains a specialized set of courses focused on teaching in specific content areas – language arts, mathematics, social studies or science. To meet requirements for AYA licensure, you will choose one area of concentration from the content areas.  

What can I do with a B.S. Adolescence to Young Adult (Grades 7-12)?
With a B.S. Adolescence to Young Adult Education degree, you can teach language arts, mathematics or social studies in Ohio's middle or high schools. 

Is there classroom experience or a capstone?
You'll combine online coursework with an on-site field placement during every term of your enrollment. In your final term, you'll complete a full-time student teaching experience alongside a cooperating teacher. 

How long will it take to complete?
Bachelor's-level education programs require 120 credit hours and are designed to be completed in 4 years. However, if you have previously earned credit hours - including an associate degree in education or in a teaching content area, Franklin’s transfer-friendly AYA Education program provides a flexible and accelerated path to a degree.   

B.S. Intervention Specialist: Mild-Moderate (K-12) H.S. Diploma or Equivalent

What is it?
  The B.S. Intervention Specialist degree prepares students to teach special education in grades K-12 in Ohio by providing the coursework and assessments required to qualify for an Ohio Resident Educator License.  

What will I learn?
Course topics include lesson planning, classroom technology, classroom management and teaching strategies. In addition, the Intervention Specialist Education program contains a specialized set of courses focused on teaching in specific content areas – language arts, mathematics, social studies or science, as well as four courses concentrated on reading instruction.

What can I do with a B.S. Intervention Specialist: Mild-Moderate (K-12)?
With a B.S. Intervention Specialist Education degree, you can be a special education teacher for grades K-12 in Ohio.  

Is there classroom experience or a capstone?
You'll combine online coursework with an on-site field placement during every term of your enrollment. In your final term, you'll complete a full-time student teaching experience alongside a cooperating teacher. 

How long will it take to complete?
Bachelor's-level education programs require 120 credit hours and are designed to be completed in 4 years. However, if you have previously earned credit hours - including an associate degree in education or in a teaching content area, Franklin’s transfer-friendly Intervention Specialist Education program provides a flexible and accelerated path to a degree.  

B.S. Middle Childhood Education (Grades 4-9) H.S. Diploma or Equivalent

What is it?
The B.S. Middle Childhood Education degree prepares students to teach grades 4-9 in Ohio by providing the coursework and assessments required to qualify for an Ohio Resident Educator License. 

What will I learn?
Course topics include lesson planning, classroom technology, classroom management and teaching strategies. In addition, the MCE program contains a specialized set of courses focused on teaching in specific content areas – language arts, mathematics, social studies or science. To meet requirements for MCE licensure, you will choose two areas of concentration from the content areas.

What can I do with a B.S. Middle Childhood Education (Grades 4-9)?
With a B.S. Middle Childhood Education degree, you can teach language arts, mathematics, social studies or science in Ohio's middle schools.   

Is there classroom experience or a capstone?
You'll combine online coursework with an onsite field placement during every term of your enrollment. In your final term, you'll complete a full-time student teaching experience alongside a cooperating teacher. 

How long will it take to complete?
Bachelor's-level education programs require 120 credit hours and are designed to be completed in 4 years. However, if you have previously earned credit hours - including an associate degree in education or in a teaching content area, Franklin’s transfer-friendly MCE program provides a flexible and accelerated path to a degree.    

B.S. Primary Education (PK-5) H.S. Diploma or Equivalent

What is it?
The B.S. Primary Education degree prepares students to teach preschool through 5th grade in Ohio by providing the coursework and assessments required to qualify for an Ohio Resident Educator License. 

What will I learn?
Course topics include lesson planning, classroom technology, classroom management and teaching strategies. In addition, the Primary Education program contains a specialized set of courses focused on teaching in specific content areas – language arts, mathematics, social studies or science, as well as four courses concentrated on reading instruction.

What can I do with a B.S. Primary Education (PK-5)? 
With a B.S. Primary Education degree, you can teach preschool, kindergarten or elementary school in Ohio.   

Is there classroom experience or a capstone?
You'll combine online coursework with an on-site field placement during every term of your enrollment. In your final term, you'll complete a full-time student teaching experience alongside a cooperating teacher. 

How long will it take to complete?
Bachelor's-level education programs require 120 credit hours and are designed to be completed in 4 years. However, if you have previously earned credit hours - including an associate degree in education or in a teaching content area, Franklin’s transfer-friendly Primary Education program provides a flexible and accelerated path to a degree.     

Post-Baccalaureate Adolescence to Young Adult (Grades 7-12) Bachelor's Degree

What is it?
A direct route to becoming a 7th-12th grade teacher in Ohio, the Post-Baccalaureate Adolescence to Young Adult Education Licensure Program provides a bachelor's degree-holder with the coursework and assessments required to qualify for an Ohio Resident Educator License.

What will I learn?
Course topics include lesson planning, classroom technology, classroom management and teaching strategies. In addition, the AYA Education program contains a specialized set of courses focused on teaching in specific content areas – language arts, mathematics, social studies or science. To meet requirements for AYA licensure, you will choose one area of concentration from the content areas.   

What can I do with a Post-Baccalaureate Adolescence to Young Adult (Grades 7-12)? 
With the Post-Bacc Adolescence to Young Adult Education Licensure Program you can teach language arts, mathematics or social studies in Ohio's middle or high schools. 

Is there classroom experience or a capstone?
You'll combine online coursework with an on-site field placement during every term of your enrollment. In your final term, you'll complete a full-time student teaching experience alongside a cooperating teacher. 

How long will it take to complete?
Post-Baccalaureate AYA educator preparation programs require 78 hours of pedagogical and specialized content coursework to apply for a Ohio Resident Educator License. Franklin's transfer-friendly Post-Bacc programs enable you to make the most of your previously earned bachelor's degree credits to minimize time and cost toward teacher licensure.   

Post-Baccalaureate Intervention Specialist: Mild-Moderate (K-12) Bachelor's Degree

What is it?
A direct route to becoming a special education teacher in Ohio, the Post-Baccalaureate Intervention Specialist Education Licensure Program provides a bachelor's degree-holder with the coursework and assessments required to qualify for an Ohio Resident Educator License.       

What will I learn?
Course topics include lesson planning, classroom technology, classroom management and teaching strategies. In addition, the Intervention Specialist Education program contains a specialized set of courses focused on teaching in specific content areas – language arts, mathematics, social studies or science, as well as four courses concentrated on reading instruction. 

What can I do with a Post-Baccalaureate Intervention Specialist: Mild-Moderate (K-12)? 
With the Post-Bacc Intervention Specialist Licensure Program, you can be a special education teacher for grades K-12 in Ohio.  

Is there classroom experience or a capstone?
You'll combine online coursework with an onsite field placement during every term of your enrollment. In your final term, you'll complete a full-time student teaching experience alongside a cooperating teacher. 

How long will it take to complete?
Post-Baccalaureate Intervention Specialist educator preparation programs require 63 hours of pedagogical and specialized content coursework to apply for a Ohio Resident Educator License. Franklin's transfer-friendly Post-Bacc programs enable you to make the most of your previously earned bachelor's degree credits to minimize time and cost toward teacher licensure. 

Post-Baccalaureate Middle Childhood Education (Grade 4-9) Bachelor's Degree

What is it?
A direct route to becoming a 4th-9th grade teacher in Ohio, the Post-Baccalaureate Middle Childhood Education Licensure Program provides a bachelor's degree-holder with the coursework and assessments required to qualify for an Ohio Resident Educator License.      

What will I learn?
Course topics include lesson planning, classroom technology, classroom management and teaching strategies. In addition, the MCE program contains a specialized set of courses focused on teaching in specific content areas – language arts, mathematics, social studies or science. To meet requirements for MCE licensure, you will choose two areas of concentration from the content areas.

What can I do with a Post-Baccalaureate Middle Childhood Education (Grade 4-9)? 
With the Post-Bacc Middle Childhood Education Licensure Program, you can teach language arts, mathematics, social studies or science in Ohio's middle schools.            

Is there classroom experience or a capstone?
You'll combine online coursework with an onsite field placement during every term of your enrollment. In your final term, you'll complete a full-time student teaching experience alongside a cooperating teacher. 

How long will it take to complete?
Post-Baccalaureate Middle Childhood educator preparation programs require 108 hours of pedagogical and specialized content coursework to apply for a Ohio Resident Educator License. Franklin's transfer-friendly Post-Bacc programs enable you to make the most of your previously earned bachelor's degree credits to minimize time and cost toward teacher licensure.

Post-Baccalaureate Primary Education (PK-5) Bachelor's Degree

What is it?
A direct route to becoming a PK-5th grade teacher in Ohio, the Post-Baccalaureate Primary Education Licensure Program provides a bachelor's degree-holder with the coursework and assessments required to qualify for an Ohio Resident Educator License.    

What will I learn?
Course topics include lesson planning, classroom technology, classroom management and teaching strategies. In addition, the Primary Education program contains a specialized set of courses focused on teaching in specific content areas – language arts, mathematics, social studies or science, as well as four courses concentrated on reading instruction.

What can I do with a Post-Baccalaureate Primary Education (PK-5)?
With the Post-Bacc Primary Education Licensure Program, you can teach preschool, kindergarten or elementary school in Ohio.                  

Is there classroom experience or a capstone?
You'll combine online coursework with an onsite field placement during every term of your enrollment. In your final term, you'll complete a full-time student teaching experience alongside a cooperating teacher. 

How long will it take to complete?
Post-Baccalaurate Primary educator preparation programs require 66 hours of pedagogical and specialized content coursework to apply for a Ohio Resident Educator License. Franklin's transfer-friendly Post-Bacc programs enable you to make the most of your previously earned bachelor's degree credits to minimize time and cost toward teacher licensure.

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