Why Earn Your Middle Grades Education - English Degree at Saint Leo University?
Do you love literature and creative writing? Do you want to inspire and shape future generations? Share your passion with young people, and get them excited about composition, critical thinking and literature. As an English teacher, you’ll guide students to important discoveries about language and culture.
The Middle Grades Education Program is a state-approved teacher education program and therefore meets the Florida State standards and coursework requirements for graduates to obtain teaching certification. English specialization majors will receive the ESOL and Reading Endorsement. Middle grades majors are required to take the Subject Area Exam for grades 5-9 of the Florida Teacher Certificate Exam. All graduates are also eligible to receive teaching certification in the secondary grades after passing the additional Subject Area Exam for grades 6-12 of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam.
Learning Experience:
Campus
Education Center
Est. Time to Complete:
4 years
Credit Hours:
120 hours
Undergraduate Middle Grades Education - English Program Details
Find your voice through British and American lit classes, the Saint Leo University Writer’s Circle and Sandhill Review literary magazine, while learning effective strategies—including the use of emerging technologies—for teaching language arts to adolescents, including ESOL, special education, multicultural and at-risk populations.
Accumulate more than 800 hours of field experience by the end of your senior year—almost double the hours recommended by the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. By the time you graduate, you’ll be well equipped to command a classroom of your own as a certified grade 5-12 English teacher.
In 2011, Saint Leo’s Education department was named a national finalist for the Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award. And, according to a recent survey, between 92-98% of school principals who've had a Saint Leo graduate as a first-year teacher at their school report that they'd provide a positive recommendation for rehiring.
Learn Your Way:
Online, On Campus, or Near You
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What are the on-campus facilities like?
Students who pursue their degrees at Saint Leo’s main campus near sunny Tampa Bay, Florida, join a community of enthusiastic learners just like them.
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What are the benefits of earning your degree online?
Saint Leo University’s online learning experience provides a well-rounded education with the flexibility to tailor your course of study to meet your individual needs. We know our students have lives outside school, and we seek to meet them where they are. Online students can count on receiving excellent academics as well as opportunities for hands-on learning.
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Taking online classes has afforded me the opportunity to learn while maintaining a job. They give me some flexibility to study at times that work more cohesively with my schedule and allow me to utilize resources such as the library 24 hours a day.
Bentley Streat | Hayes, VA
Are education centers near you offering middle grades education - english degree programs?
You may also choose to pursue your degree through one of our education centers, which merge a traditional in-person education with the flexibility to match your lifestyle. Education centers offer eight-week academic terms as well as evening and weekend classes.
Career Outlook
No matter which learning experience you choose, you will receive plenty of professional development opportunities, industry knowledge from expert professors, and support from the Saint Leo community. All this together means that you will be ready for a successful career or continued studies upon graduation.
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How will you gain real experience?
Florida Teacher Certification
Middle Grades majors are required to take the Subject Area Exam for grades 5-9. All graduates are also eligible to receive certification in the secondary grades after passing the additional Subject Area Exam for grades 6-12 of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam. Graduates from Saint Leo's state-approved program are also eligible for the Florida DOE Reading and ESOL Endorsements.
Student teaching
Hone your skills through no less than four field placements, including teaching fulltime in a middle school one semester your senior year. A Saint Leo supervisor observes and coaches you throughout each placement.
Professional Seminar
Prepare yourself for the job market: Create your resume, meet with school district representatives to learn about the application process, participate in mock interviews with school principals and district administrators.
21st century classroom
Discover how to enhance learning with technologies such as iPads, the Mimio Teach and MimioVote™ assessment system and interactive SMART boards.
Conferences
Attend at least one professional conference before graduation, such as the Florida Council for Teachers of English.
Co-curricular activities
Participate in the Future Teachers Association and become an active member of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society for Educators.
What can you do with an undergraduate middle grades education degree?
Graduates are qualified to obtain teaching certification for grades 5-9.
What are the top middle grades education degree jobs?
- English Teacher
- Reading Teacher
- ESOL Teacher
- Curriculum Developer
Where are Saint Leo middle grades education graduates now?
Our students find success as certified teachers in school districts around Florida and outside of the state, thanks to interstate agreements between the Florida Department of Education and many states.
Saint Leo graduates often assume leadership positions in their schools—as team leaders and department chairs—within three to four years of employment. Many Saint Leo graduates have been recognized as Teachers of the Year for their schools and even their entire school districts.
College of Education & Social Services
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Saint Leo University’s College of Education and Social Services couples a transformative liberal arts tradition with highly specialized training in the education and social services fields. Through close faculty mentorships, practical field internships, and applied learning experiences, we prepare students for careers in education, social work, criminal justice, and human services. Our faculty remain active in their respective fields as researchers and practitioners, giving students close access to a wealth of real-world knowledge and experience.
With the ever-changing needs of today's students, we provide flexible degree programs. These include programs at University Campus and education centers with evening and weekend options, as well as online offerings. These degree programs are grooming the next generation of educators and social service specialists—a new breed of professionals with the talent and resolve to make a difference in the world.
Student Stories
I completely enjoyed my experience with sociology at Saint Leo University. Through my research project … classes I was able to explore … the view of Christianity and other religions in the sight of young adults. Because of this study, it made me more confident in my faith as well as sensitive to other religions. I took an internship with a Refugee resettlement agency, where I worked daily with clients that had many different beliefs and backgrounds. Within a few months I was hired full time as the employment specialist and stayed 3 years. To this day, many of my former clients still run and give me a hug and thank me for my kindness. I will continue to take my experience over to my new position as the Family Service Case Manager for the Community Action Program.
Tasha Moss
As a 46-year old male, the thought of going back to school was intimidating. Having an eight-year hiatus and trying to discover what I wanted to do was equally daunting. I have known that I wanted to help people most of my life. Sociology offered a path for me to achieve that goal. The staff at Saint Leo made the transition extremely easy. From the warm smile at the registrar’s office to the insightfulness of everyone at the Sociology department, each person I met along the way made the journey of my education painless and enjoyable. The constant feedback, guidance, and care made me want to learn and excel. The best gift I received from my Saint Leo Sociology experience is the preparation for Social Work graduate school.
Jerrod Klein
Choosing Sociology was the best thing I could have done. I served the first 15 years of my career as an Active Guard Reserve with the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia. Seventeen years later, I earned my active duty retirement as a Senior Master Sergeant and as the State Awards and Decorations Monitor and Sexual Assault Victim’s Advocate with the Georgia Air National Guard Headquarters. I enrolled in Saint Leo two months after retirement and chose to major in Sociology because I have always been interested in helping people and society. I am a member of Alpha Kappa Delta, the Sociology Honor Society and made the Dean’s List every semester. Dr. Eric Williamson is my inspiration for applying for the Master of Theology program which I will start this Fall. When I complete that degree, I plan to go into counseling for veterans with disabilities and grief counseling.
Barbara Smith
Academically, I majored in marketing and even with how much marketing has evolved socially/digitally since my time at Saint Leo, I use so much of what I learned every single day. My international business courses have absolutely come in handy when doing business in other territories and overseas, knowing when I have to adjust to different standards.
Joey Gandolfo, class of 2008
Saint Leo was a smaller and more intimate environment than many other institutions. That intimacy helped to reinforce the value of building relationships that has stayed with me and benefitted my career.
Davion Cooper, class of 2011
I feel a natural and symbolic connection to the core values of the college and my own Catholic values. Saint Leo really lives up to its reputation for promoting a values-based education through the core values.
Lauren Boos, class of 2019
News
Accreditation
Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.
