As a Middle Grades teacher candidate at CUC, you’ll receive hands-on training in the emerging necessity of technology in the classroom as well as first-hand experience teaching students core basics while building upon their skills and interests.
Study Format
- On Campus
Middle Grades Education Program and Degree Overview
At CUC, you'll have the exciting opportunity to learn about the developmental need and abilities of young adolescents as you prepare to educate and shape the minds of the future.
Whether earning a degree as a Middle Grades educator or earning a Middle Grades endorsement, your educational courses will help you to connect theory to practice. You will engage in many exciting high-quality instructional experiences both in and out of the collegiate classroom as you engage with many of our partnering middle schools.
As a Middle Grades educator, you will develop a strong foundational knowledge base in two of the following content areas: literacy, math, science, social studies, art, physical education, or music.
A Middle Grades Endorsement added to either an elementary or secondary education program enables you to extend your Professional Educator License (PEL) to includes grades 5-8.
In addition to your general education and content courses, you will receive training in specific education courses, which focus on teaching in diverse classrooms, differentiated instruction, classroom management and assessment, and teaching literacy throughout the content area.
As a teacher candidates must complete a rigorous 16-week student teaching internship in real classrooms—this means you are managing and teaching a class of your own and building your resume before you even graduate.
You will be trained by experienced educators who themselves are teachers with years of practical classroom experience. Our faculty understand the day-to-day challenges you will encounter because they have been there themselves. They strive to thoroughly prepare you for the realities you will face as a teacher.
Concordia-Chicago's location near Chicago provides access to a rich socioeconomic learning environment at the crossroads of urban and suburban communities. Originally founded as the Addison Teachers Seminary in 1864, the University has a 150-year track record of producing some of the most qualified teachers in the country.
More than a dozen CUC graduates have been recognized by the highly prestigious Golden Apple Foundation for outstanding teaching, which speaks volumes about the level of training you will receive.
For details about required courses and course descriptions, please visit our online catalog.
Middle Grades Education Program Opportunities
In addition to your student teaching experience, the Office of Career Services also participates in Teacher Fest, with more than 100 Illinois school districts in attendance looking for teaching candidates.
This is also a way to build strong contacts and meet hiring principals face-to-face. Concordia-Chicago also partners with the Illinois Small College Placement Association as well as CareerRookie, which provides extensive databases of internships, jobs and resources to help you shape your future.