Get the knowledge and practices required to help students in grades 6-8 excel in the experience between elementary and high school.

This interdisciplinary degree program prepares students seeking licensure in both Elementary (Pk-6) and one area in Middle School (6-8).

This is the program for students who want to help young students bridge the gap between the elementary and high school experience, grades 6-8. You'll help prepare young minds to determine their own path when they hit high school.

You'll benefit from small class sizes, innovative course content, and hands-on field observations with full-time faculty who are experts in their areas of study.

Field Experiences

Work closely with your professors to implement class content in authentic settings. Your field experiences start prior to your student teaching, are embedded into coursework, and are developmentally aligned to scaffold instruction.

Engage in a variety of authentic field experiences in PK-6 classrooms with approximately 210 content hours in the field in topics that include:

  • Student research
  • Human growth and development
  • Assessment
  • Reading and literacy
  • Content area methods
  • Behavior management

Student Teaching

Complete your student teaching experiences throughout the state and participate in a virtual seminar, receiving individual support from your

  • University Supervisor
  • Faculty Coach
  • Peers

Career Paths

Program graduates go on to become middle school teachers and/or instructional leaders.

What You'll Study

Middle School Education Courses

Students will complete content area courses and education courses focusing on foundations, methods, and embedded field experiences in a variety of elementary settings.​

In addition to courses related to elementary licensure, students in this program must complete the required major courses in one of the four Middle School concentrations:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Natural Science
  • Social Science

Sample 4 -Year Plans

Middle School English, Teacher Preparation Concentration (pdf)

Middle School Math, Teacher Preparation Concentration (pdf)

Middle School Natural Science, Teacher Preparation Concentration (pdf)

Middle School Social Science, Teacher Preparation Concentration (pdf)

Prior to Admittance to Teacher Preparation

  • EDUC 245 (3 credits) Human Growth as a Function of Social, Political and Economic Institutions
  • EDUC 261 (3 credits) Introduction to the Teaching Profession: Practicum (30 hours in the field)
  • EDUC 280 (2 credits) Instructional Design and Assessment
  • SPED 389 (3 credits) Survey of Exceptional Children

After Admittance to Teacher Preparation

  • EDUC 310 (3 credits) Foundations of Literacy Instruction
  • EDUC 361 (2 credits) Practicum Integration (60 hours in the field)
  • EDUC 423 (3 credits) Elementary Literacy Methods
  • EDUC 433 (3 credits) Elementary Mathematics, Science, & Social Studies Methods
  • EDUC 443: Middle School Literacy, Math, Science, and Social Studies (30 hours in the field)
  • EDUC 461 (3 credits) Practicum Application (90 hours in the field)
  • EDUC 467 (3 credits) Classroom Management and System Issues
  • EDUC 400 (10 credits) Middle and Elementary Directed Teaching (Student Teaching)
  • EDUC 420 (2 credits) Student Teaching Seminar (Virtual)

Teacher Preparation Requirements

In order to be admitted into Longwood University’s Teacher Preparation Program for Elementary and Middle School Education and Teaching, students must submit the following documentation for review by the Office of Teacher Preparation (OTP):

Initial Licensure Requirements

In order to be eligible for initial licensure, students must complete the following additional state licensure tests prior to students teaching: