Southeast Missouri State University 1873

Middle School Education Degree: Language Arts

a group of students in theMiddle Level Education Language Arts Degree Program sit at a table and discuss coursework
BSED On-Campus Main Campus Regional
DEGREE TYPE

Bachelor's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

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Turn pages into possibilities. SEMO’s Middle School Language Education program equips you to foster understanding, curiosity, and success in every student.

A middle school education in language arts degree prepares you for a career teaching language arts in a middle school setting. Our graduates are certified to work with grades 5-9. 

Where Bold Ideas Take Shape

As a middle school education language arts major at SEMO, you’ll gain real-world experiences that will prepare you to thrive in the classroom. 

  • Be prepared and certified to teach middle school language arts in grades 5 – 9. 
  • Integrate technology into your curriculum with the EDvolution® one-to-one instructional technology program. 
  • Have the opportunity for student teaching abroad, including our partnership with Eagles College in Iquique, Chile. 
  • Have opportunities for leadership in numerous student organizations. 
  • Have full-time faculty with experience in the classroom as their primary instructors. 
  • Study in a nationally accredited program. 

What Can You Do with a Middle School Education Degree in Language Arts?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, and sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’ll land your dream job in no time. 

Education Careers Outlook

  • Middle School Language Arts was in the top ten teacher shortage areas in Missouri in the 2019-2020 school year.
  • Placement rates are high for alumni with more than one teaching certification.
  • First-year teachers report feeling well-prepared by Southeast Missouri State University on our annual survey of first-year teachers.

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Middle School Education - Language Arts Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree

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Outcomes & Careers 

  • $67k 

    Middle School Teacher  

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a middle school teacher is $67,790. 

  • $67k

    Career/Technical Middle School Teacher 

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a middle school language arts teacher is $67,680. 

  • $69k

    High School Teacher

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a high school teacher is $69,480. 

Turn Ambition Into Action

As a middle school education language arts major, you’ll learn how to work with students in middle school settings in a supportive environment with faculty who have extensive classroom experience themselves. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours. 

Middle School students must be admitted to the College of Education prior to enrolling in SE350.


Professional Education Courses - 49 Hours Required

A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in education courses, with the exception of ED280 which requires a grade of ‘B’ or better.

  • ED280 Introduction to Education as a Profession (3)
  • ED506 Education, Law, and Society (3)
  • EF400 Student Teaching Seminar (1)
  • EX390 Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Child (3)
  • PY222 Development of the Adolescent (3)
  • SE319 Techniques of Teaching English (3)
  • SE380 Advanced Field Experience (3)
  • SE385 Pedagogy 3: Advanced Methods of Middle and Secondary Teaching (3)
  • SE390 Instructional Interventions for Middle and Secondary Students with Special Literacy Needs (3)
  • SE465 Student Teaching (12)
  • SE502 Content Literacy Methods for Middle and High School (3)
  • SE550 Pedagogy 1: Principles of Effective Teaching (3)
  • SE551 Field Experience II (3)
  • SE552 Pedagogy 2: Interdisciplinary Methods for Middle School (3)

Language Arts Content Courses – 24 Hours Required

Minimum 3.0 GPA required for graduation and certification

  • EN140 Rhetoric and Critical Thinking (3)
  • EN201 Writing about Literature (3)
  • EN378 Grammars of English (3)
  • LI243 Children’s Literature (3)
  • LI385 Literature for the Secondary Classroom (3)
  • LI542 Literature for the Young Adult (3)
  • SC105 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3)

Choose 3 hours:

  • LI270 American Literature I (3)
  • LI271 American Literature I or II (3)

"Critical Courses" are italicized and bolded. These courses are indicators of potential for success in the degree program.

  • 42 credit hours completed
  • One of the following:
    • Composite/Superscore of 20 or higher on the ACT exam
    • Composite score of 1040 or higher on the SAT exam
    • Score of 220 or higher on the Paraprofessional exam
    • Passing scores on all sections of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA)
    • A 4-year degree from an accredited college/university
  • The following course requirements met:
    • A grade of C or above in CF/PY120 The Child (Elementary, Early, and Exceptional) or PY222 Development of the Adolescent (5-9, 9-12, and PK-12)
    • A grade of B or above in ED280 Introduction to Education as a Profession or ME222 Principles of Teaching Music.
  • International Students must also meet the following requirements:
    • C1 (CEFR) level
    • IELTS minimum score of 7.0 or TOEFL minimum score of 95
    • Note: This policy is for non-United States citizens who are not native English speakers. Students from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are exempt from English proficiency verification

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities and Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

First Year

Fall Semester (13 Hours) 
  • UI100 (3) 
  • EN100 (3) 
  • SC105 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
  • EN140 (3)
  • PY222 (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3)

Milestone: Maintain 2.75 cumulative GPA

Second Year

Fall Semester (17 Hours) 
  • ED280 (3)
  • LI270 or LI271 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (17 Hours) 
  • EN201 (3) 
  • LI385 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (2) 

Milestone: Maintain 2.75 cumulative GPA, Passing score MoGEA

Third Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • EN378 (3) 
  • EX390 (3) 
  • LI243 (3) 
  • SE550 (3) 
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • SE502 (3) 
  • SE551 (3) 
  • SE552 (3) 
  • LI542 (3)
  • Elective (3)

Milestone: Maintain 3.0 cumulative GPA, 3.0 GPA in Ed. courses

Fourth Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • ED506 (3) 
  • SE319 (3) 
  • SE380 (3)
  • SE385 (3)
  • SE390 (3) 
Spring Semester (13 Hours) 
  • EF400 (1)
  • SE465 (12)

Milestone: Passing score Mo Content Exams and common assessment; 2.75 cumulative GPA; 3.0 GPA in Ed. courses; 3.0 GPA in content courses

Students have the option of adding another area of concentration or a minor to this degree.

A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.

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Get Funding for Your Education

Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.
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Accreditations

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See the world as you gain experience: You'll do that here.

Do your student teaching abroad in a variety of locations, including our partnership with Eagles College in Iquique, Chile.
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Additional Resources

Office of Admissions
Cost
Scholarships
Student Organizations & Teams
Department of Leadership, Middle, and Secondary Education
College of Education, Health and Human Studies

Out of State Certification

Completion of this program allows you to be eligible to apply for an education certification in the state of Missouri through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). It is not certain if it leads to certification in other states. The U.S. Department of Education has contact information available for each state's licensure agencies.
State Contacts

Related Programs

With an elementary education/middle school language arts degree, you’re prepared for a teaching career focused on reading, writing, and vocabulary and language skills. 

Program Details Degree Map

DEGREE TYPE

Bachelor's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

LOCATION

Main Campus - Cape

Regional Campus - Kennett

Regional Campus - Sikeston

Leadership, Middle, & Secondary Education

Contact Us

Location

Office Location

Scully 238

Mailing Address

One University Plaza, MS 5675
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701
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