Middle Level Education
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Degree Programs
College of Education
University of South Carolina
Revised August 4, 2008
The Middle Level Education program is designed for undergraduate students at the University of South Carolina who are interested in a career as a teacher in grades 5 through 8. Besides the major, students must choose two different content areas of specialization, each including 18-21 hours of studies. Specialized content areas are: English, social studies, mathematics, and science. Students specializing in English and social studies will pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree and must successfully complete 27 hours in Liberal Arts and 14 hours in science and mathematics. Students specializing in mathematics and science will pursue a Bachelor of Science degree and must successfully complete 24 hours in Liberal Arts and 19 hours in science and mathematics. Students specializing in English/mathematics, English/science, social studies/mathematics, or social studies/science may elect to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science and must successfully complete the General Education requirements for either the B.A. or the B.S. Students who successfully complete all degree and certification requirements will be recommended for teacher certification to the South Carolina Department of Education.
Student Responsibility
The College of Education faculty and staff go to great lengths to provide students all of the information that is necessary to complete its undergraduate programs in a successful and timely manner. However, it is the student's responsibility to thoroughly read all of the information available in handouts, on the College's web site, and in the USC On-line Bulletin. Likewise it is the student's responsibility to maintain accurate and current address, phone and e-mail information with the Office of Student Affairs in the College of Education and the Office of the Registrar.
Students should try to follow the typical program of study found in this packet, paying close attention to pre-requisites and co-requisites. During the initial years of the program, it is possible that education courses may be offered only once during the academic year. Accordingly, please do not delay taking education courses once you are eligible to do so, as you may have difficulty in progressing through the program in a timely manner.
Electives and University Placement Tests
Incoming freshmen at USC are required to take placement tests in mathematics and in a foreign language. The results of those tests determine specific placement in courses in those two areas. Some students who do not score well in mathematics may find that they are required to enroll in a basic course, MATH 111. Accordingly such students should expect that any courses required by placement tests are in addition to those in the Middle Level degree programs. With careful planning, students are able to use such a course as fulfilling the one three hour elective in the middle school program.
Likewise, students scoring lower than a "2" on the foreign language placement test are required to enroll in six hours of foreign language at the beginning level, either 109 and 110, or 121 and 122. If required to enroll in foreign language courses, students should be aware that these hours are in addition to the Middle Level degree requirements. With careful planning, and assuming that students do not need MATH 111, one of the foreign language courses could be used as an elective.
South Carolina Teacher Loan Program (TLP)
Under the current guidelines, you may be eligible to apply for the TLP during the four years of your baccalaureate degree program in the College of Education. Please be advised that you must meet the Praxis I, SAT, or ACT testing requirement for eleigbility. Students are advised to take the Praxis I in their first semester of enrollment for earliest consideration if the SAT or ACT requirement is not met. For more information: www.slc.sc.edu
Admission and Progression Requirements
Typical Program/Checklist for Middle Level Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree Candidate
Typical Program/Checklist for Middle Level Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree CandidateB.A. or B.S. in Middle Level Education Progression Information