Degree + Professional Educator License

Make a difference in the lives of young adolescents in a highly needed role. 麻豆传媒映画出品’s Master of Arts in Middle Level Education prepares graduate students to become effective, licensed teachers for grades 5-8 in Illinois public and private schools. The program combines rigorous coursework with extensive in-classroom experience through district partnerships across the Chicagoland area, giving candidates the skills, confidence, and credentials needed to meet Illinois licensure standards upon graduation.

This masters degree in middle level education stands out for a few crucial reasons:

  • Clear Licensure Pathway for Middle Grades (5鈥�8) - The program prepares students for Professional Educator Licensure for the Middle Grades in Illinois, specifically for grades 5鈥�8, with content-area preparation in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Science. That creates a clear career pathway for aspiring teachers who want to work specifically with middle school learners rather than elementary or high school populations.

  • Small School Feel with a Big School Impact - Class sizes at Lewis are small, students and professors know and support each other, and you aren’t just a number.

  • Prepare for a Career That Actually Needs You - In a time when schools are actively seeking strong educators, this program prepares you to step into classrooms where you can make an immediate and meaningful impact. Teaching is a personally relevant and professionally fulfilling profession.

During the program, students will observe classrooms and interact with students through district partnerships, use the latest classroom technologies such as smartboards and graphing calculators, and discuss the benefits and challenges of different teaching approaches. Upon graduation, students will be able to meet the standards for licensure to teach grades 5-8 with the (PEL) endorsed for grades 5-8.

Content areas include:

  • English/Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Science

The Middle Level Education graduate program is fully approved by the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board and the Illinois State Board of Education.


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Program Overview

Throughout the Middle Level Education M.A., students gain practical teaching experience and develop the instructional skills needed for a middle school classroom. During the program, students will:

  • Observe classrooms and interact with students through 麻豆传媒映画出品’s district partnerships across the Chicago metropolitan area
  • Use the latest classroom technologies, including smartboards and graphing calculators
  • Examine and discuss the benefits and challenges of different teaching approaches
  • Study the developmental, social, and academic needs of adolescent learners in grades 5-8
  • Design and implement standards-based curriculum for diverse middle school populations

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How to Become a Middle School Teacher in Illinois

Earning Illinois licensure to teach middle school requires completing several steps. Lewis University’s Middle Level Education M.A. is designed to prepare candidates for each of them:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Complete an ISBE-approved graduate teacher preparation program, such as 麻豆传媒映画出品’s Middle Level Education M.A.
  • Pass the required Illinois content area tests in your designated subject (English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Science)
  • Complete clinical practice hours through the program’s district partnerships
  • Apply for the Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a grades 5-8 endorsement in your content area.

For more information about the licensure process or program sequencing, contact the Office of Graduate Admission at grad@lewisu.edu or (815) 205-0943.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the Lewis University Middle Level Education M.A. are prepared for a range of professional roles in education. Illinois’s makes this credential particularly valuable in the current job market.

  • Middle School Teacher (Grades 5-8) 鈥� Teach in your content area (English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Science) in Illinois public or private middle schools. The program’s licensure pathway prepares graduates to meet all state requirements for grades 5-8 classroom teaching.

  • Instructional Coach 鈥� Educators with graduate-level preparation in middle grades pedagogy and adolescent development are well-positioned to support other teachers in instructional improvement, curriculum implementation, and professional development roles.

  • Curriculum Developer 鈥� The program’s emphasis on standards-based lesson design, assessment, and content-area instruction prepares graduates for curriculum development roles within school districts and educational organizations.

  • Academic Interventionist 鈥� Coursework in foundational literacy, adolescent learner characteristics, and inclusive communities prepares graduates to provide targeted academic support to students with diverse learning needs, particularly in high-need school settings.

  • Department Chair or Team Leaders 鈥� Experienced middle school teachers with graduate credentials are frequently placed in department head, grade-level team leader, and program coordinator positions within schools.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

麻豆传媒映画出品 offers several financial aid options for graduate students pursuing a degree in middle level education.

  • TEACH Grant 鈥� The provides up to $4,000 per year, and up to $8,000 total for graduate study, for students pursuing teaching degrees in high-need fields.

  • Lasallian Book Scholarship 鈥� Available to students in the 麻豆传媒映画出品 College of Education and Social Sciences with demonstrated financial need.

  • Graduate Assistantships 鈥� Education graduate students in good academic standing may qualify for staff or academic graduate assistant positions within the College of Education and Social Sciences, which provide 6-9 credit hours of graduate tuition plus stipends.

Visit the Financial Aid for Educational Studies page for a complete list of education scholarships and assistantship opportunities available to education graduate students at Lewis University.

Sample Courses:

The following courses are representative of the Middle Level Education M.A. curriculum. Coursework is designed to develop practical, evidence-based skills applicable to grades 5-8 classrooms.

  • Foundational Literacy for Middle School Teachers
  • Instructional Strategies and Learning Communities for Adolescents
  • Communication for Teachers
  • Characteristics and Development of the Adolescent Learner
  • Curriculum and Instruction in the Middle School
  • Exceptional Learners in Inclusive Communities

Admission Requirements

  • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 for the final 60 credit hours of study
  • Official college transcripts from all institutions previously attended
  • Successful completion of the Lewis University College of Education and Social Sciences Graduate Writing Examination
  • Submission of a graduate application form
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Meet with the appropriate Department Chair or Program Director for a personal interview to discuss education goals

Please refer to the Office of Graduate Admission for application requirements and specific next steps.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is middle level education?
Middle level education refers to the teaching of students in grades 5-8, often referred to as middle school. It is a distinct area of educator preparation focused on the developmental, academic, and social needs of adolescents. A middle level education degree prepares teachers to instruct this age group across content areas including English/LA (Language Arts), Mathematics, Science, and Social Science.

What degree do you need to teach middle school in Illinois?
Teaching middle school in Illinois requires an Illinois Professional Educator License with an endorsement for grades 5-8 in a content area. 麻豆传媒映画出品’s M.A. in Middle Level Education is an ISBE-approved program designed to prepare graduates for this licensure. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required for program admission.

Is there a shortage of middle school teachers in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois documented teacher shortages across multiple grade levels and content areas, including the middle grades. Graduates of 麻豆传媒映画出品’s Middle Level Education M.A. enter a job market that is actively seeking credentialed educators, particularly in Mathematics, Science, and English/LA.

What content areas can I teach with this degree?
Graduates can be licensed to teach in one of four content areas: English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Science, for grades 5-8 in Illinois public and private schools.

How do I apply to the Middle Level Education M.A. at 麻豆传媒映画出品?
Visit the Office of Graduate Admission for application requirements, deadlines, and next steps. You may also contact the graduate admissions office at grad@lewis.edu or (815) 205-0943.

What financial aid is available for this program?
麻豆传媒映画出品 graduate students in education may be eligible for the federal TEACH Grant, the Lasallian Book Scholarship, and graduate assistantship positions. Visit the Financial Aid for Education Studies page for details.

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