College of Education Health and Human Services
School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies
www.kent.edu/ehhs/tlcs

About This Program

The Middle Childhood Education Social Studies 4-9 Additional Licensure Preparation program is designed to provide licensed teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach social studies to students in grades 4-9. With a focus on engaging and innovative teaching methods, you will learn how to create meaningful and memorable learning experiences for your students. Read more...

Contact Information

• Danielle Gruhler | dgruhler@kent.edu |
  330-672-6517

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 overall undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Questions in Anticipation of Licensure Form
• Evidence of valid four-year Resident Educator or five-year Professional State of Ohio teaching license (no longer required starting with spring 2025 admission term)
• Effective with spring 2025 admission term: Evidence of valid Resident Educator or Professional State of Ohio teaching license
• Two letters of recommendation
• Interview (to be conducted prior to full acceptance Into the program)

Applicants are assessed holistically, considering academic credentials, academic or professional references, non-academic dimensions and other specific program criteria.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Endorsement Requirements

¹

Students will need permission from the middle childhood education program coordinator to register for the course.

²

Requirement to be determined by faculty advisor after review of previous teaching experience. Teacher candidates are only permitted to repeat a field experience course once. Please see Repeating Field Experience Courses in Teacher Education Programs policy for details.

Graduation Requirements

• Additional Coursework: An analysis of additional content-area coursework required at the post-undergraduate level will be completed before entering into the program, and a Plan of Study will be created based on transcript analysis and current licensure requirements by the Ohio Department of Education. A minimum C grade is required in each of these courses. This coursework would be in addition to requirements for the Middle Childhood Education non-degree program.

Licensure Information

Prior to program completion, the candidate must demonstrate proficiencies in the following areas (including but not limited to): data literacy and analysis; use of research and assessment data; leadership and collaboration; utilizing and supporting appropriate technology for the discipline; and application of professional dispositions, laws and policies, codes of ethics and professional standards appropriate to their field of specialization.

Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass the Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Content Knowledge Assessment for each teaching field in order to apply for licensure. Students should consult their advisors for specific program requirements and refer to the Ohio Department of Education-Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type.

Students who do not apply for license within 12 months of program completion may be subject to additional course requirements, based on Ohio licensure standards in force at the time of application.

Program Learning Outcomes

Completers of this program will be able to:

1. Successfully pass the Ohio Assessment Exam.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the content and pedagogy of required social studies courses.
3. Successfully plan and teach two social studies lessons using the College, Career and Civil Life (C3) framework.
4. Successfully plan and teach a unit plan in social studies.

Residence Requirement Policy for Non-Degree Teacher Education Licensure/Endorsement Preparation Programs

• Non-degree licensure (initial and additional) and endorsement programs  that are a total of 15 credits or above: Students must complete 60% of the coursework at Kent State University, including the course that addresses the CAEP A.1.1 Standard as designated by the program area.
• Non-degree licensure (initial and additional) and endorsement programs that are less than 15 total credits: Students must complete 100% of the coursework at Kent State University.
• Students are permitted 6 years to complete licensure  programs and  4 years to complete endorsement programs at Kent State University.
• Coursework transferred from another university cannot be more than 6 years old at the time the licensure/endorsement program is completed.
• Students who do not meet the residence requirements will not be recommended for licensure by Kent State University.

Full Description

The Middle Childhood Education-Social Studies (4-9) Additional Licensure Preparation non-degree program provides coursework and field-based experiences for students who plan to apply for additional teacher licensure from the Ohio Department of Education. This non-degree program cannot be used for students seeking initial licensure.

This program does not culminate in a master's degree. Students interested in a master's degree at Kent State must be fully admitted into and complete requirements for the master's program, in addition to courses that are prescribed here for additional licensure.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.