The Education: Middle Level (4th to 8th grades) Program prepares students for transfer to baccalaureate-degree granting institutions. After successful completion of the Program, students receive an Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree. Most graduates then transfer to a four year institution where they earn a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Education and are eligible for Certification to teach Grades 4-8. The curriculum helps students to apply the knowledge, concepts, and skills essential for successful elementary/middle years instruction.
Because students have options with respect to specific content areas they would like to pursue, and because transfer institutions require specific courses, it is highly recommended that students consult catalogues of schools to which they might transfer and transfer worksheets available in the Career and Transfer Center, as well as their advisor to make appropriate course selections.
According to Pennsylvania mandates, under Chapter 354, students need a 3.0 G.P.A. for entry into upper level education courses and teacher certification programs at four year schools. In addition, they must pass the Pre-Professional Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) before being admitted into these upper-level courses at four year schools.
Careers
Find your path.
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School - est. salary $119,615
Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School - est. salary $109,421
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education - est. salary $56,317*
**EMSI Data, 2019; Philadelphia County, PA; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Transfer Opportunities
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Courses and Completion Sequence
Semester 1
| Course Number and Name | Credits | Advisory Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 - English Composition I | 3 credits | |
| CIS 103 - Applied Computer Technology | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology | 3 credits | |
| HIST 101 - United States History: Colonial America through the Revolutionary Era | 3 credits | |
| MATH 151 - Linear Mathematics | 3 credits |
- This program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a bachelor's degree program after earning their associate's degree
- Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate's degree in two years
- Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.
Semester 2
| Course Number and Name | Credits | Advisory Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 102 - The Research Paper | 3 credits | |
| BIOL 106 - General Biology I | 4 credits | |
| ED 201 - Foundations of Education for Middle and Secondary Years | 3 credits | |
| PSYC 209 - Adolescent Psychology | 3 credits | |
| MATH 152 - Probability | 3 credits |
- Don’t forget to meet with an advisor and review this schedule when registering for your classes
- Start planning for transfer:
- Did you know our dual admissions partnerships include scholarship opportunities?
- Learn more about our transfer agreements and use our interactive search tool for your program’s transfer options
- Make sure you are using Starfish Connect to track and improve your grades
- Stay on the path to success: take advantage of academic support services offered by Counseling the Learning Labs, Academic Advising and more
- Now is a good time to start financial planning for next semester:
- Manage your financial aid
- Take advantage of our payment plans and know the payment deadlines
- Apply for a scholarship— You only have to complete one application to be considered for all available scholarships
Semester 3
| Course Number and Name | Credits | Advisory Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ED 214 - Cognition and Learning in the Classroom | 3 credits | |
| ED 255 - Teaching English Language Learners | 3 credits | |
| MATH 161 - Precalculus I | 3 credits | |
| ANTH 112 - Cultural Anthropology | 3 credits | |
| CHEM 105 - Inquiry into Chemistry | 4 credits |
- Meet with an advisor and review this schedule when registering for your classes
- Make sure you are using Starfish Connect to track and improve your grades
- Stay on the path to success: take advantage of academic support services offered by Counseling the Learning Labs, Academic Advising and more
- Start financial planning for next semester:
- Manage your financial aid
- Take advantage of our payment plans and know the payment deadlines
- Apply for a scholarship—You only have to complete one application to be considered for all available scholarships
Semester 4
| Course Number and Name | Credits | Advisory Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ED 265 - Introduction to Special Education and Inclusive Practices | 3 credits | |
| ART 103 - History of Art I | 3 credits | |
| Content Elective | 3 credits | See Content Electives chart below. |
| Content Elective | 3 credits | See Content Electives chart below. |
Content Electives
Students should choose five content electives based on the subject they plan to teach as illustrated below
| English | Five courses in literature, creative writing, or other humanities |
|---|---|
| Foreign Languages | Recommended minimum of two semesters in the language they plan to teach and three humanities electives. (Students who are already fluent in the language they intend to teach should take five humanities electives instead.) |
| Social Studies | Choose any five: POLS 111 ECON 181 or 182 HIST 101, 102, 1032, 121, 122, 220, 221 GEOG 101, 103, 180, 222 SOC 101, 233 ANTH 112 |
| Art | ART 103, 104, 105, 109, 115 Students who intend to teach art at the secondary level should also prepare a portfolio. |
| Music | Five music courses are required. MUS 105 and 106 are particularly recommended. MUS 116, 118, 120 and 121 are also recommended. Most baccalaureate programs in music education require testing and/or auditions for incoming transfer students. CCP students who intend to teach music should contact their intended transfer institutions for details. |
- Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
- Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
- Finalize your transfer plans:
- Meet with a counselor at your selected dual admissions transfer college
- Meet with one of our College’s counselors or an advisor to review transfer requirements
- Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
- Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities
General Education Requirements:
All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College’s general education requirements is also available.
Featured Career
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Teach students in one or more subjects in public or private schools at the middle, intermediate, or junior high level, which falls between elementary and senior high school as defined by applicable laws and regulations.
$56,317
4,136
in the region
+2.5%
in the region
Typical Tasks
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Maintain accurate, complete, and correct student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
How well does it pay?
Wages
New workers generally start around $33,115. Normal pay for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education is $56,317 per year, while highly experienced workers can earn as much as $89,443.
Program Information
Education: Middle Level (4th to 8th Grades)
Degree Type:
Associate in Arts (A.A.)Credits Needed to Graduate:
61