Middle Childhood Generalist Endorsement
BGSU's Middle Childhood Generalist Endorsement is available to interested candidates holding an Ohio teaching license in Middle Childhood Education, as well as to academically strong BGSU seniors who meet the qualifications identified below. This endorsement allows teachers to add one or two academic areas to their licenses, enabling them to teach the added subject(s) in grades 4 — 6.
- The state of Ohio requires six hours of coursework in each subject area in which candidates desire to be endorsed. In addition, beginning in 2017, a new requirement of 50 practicum hours were added for each content area. Note that to be eligible for endorsement coursework at BGSU, applicants must have an Ohio Middle Childhood Teaching license, a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA in undergraduate coursework (transcript required), and maintain at least a 2.8 in endorsement classes.
- Endorsement classes at BGSU are offered only at the post-baccalaureate/graduate levels.
- Candidates will work individually with the practicum instructor to identify a local placement in the appropriate age-band and content area.
- Classes are offered online in the summer.
- Candidates take courses in one or two subject areas in which they are not currently licensed and complete the corresponding practicum/s. For example, a math/science major might take language arts and/or social studies courses. BGSU undergraduate seniors (90 credit hours) with a major in Middle Childhood Education may take 5000-level endorsement classes with...
- a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Authorization from BGSU's Graduate College to take these classes as an "Advanced Undergraduate."
- Permission from course instructors and the Director of the School of Teaching & Learning.
- After completing the required coursework, applicants must pass the Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Elementary Education Subtests I & Il (#018/019). Note that these exams are recommended in lieu of separate middle childhood subject area exams, which are designed for candidates with concentrations in those subjects, and are much more difficult.
Summer 2024 Online Graduate Courses:
Language Arts
EDTL 5503: Upper Elementary Language Arts (May 13-June 7)
EDTL 6100: Materials & Methods for Teaching Reading (May 13-June 21)
Mathematics
EDTL 5501: Upper Elementary Math (May 13-June 7)
EDTL 6410: Advanced Methods in Elementary Math (June 24-Aug 2)
Science
EDTL 5502: Upper Elementary Science (June 10-July 5)
EDTL 6420: Advanced Methods in Elementary Science (May 13-June 21)
Social Studies
EDTL 5500: Teaching Ohio and the Americas (June 10-July 5)
EDTL 6430: Advanced Methods in Intermediate Grades Social Studies (May 13-June 21)
Practicum:
EDTL 6800: Internship in Curriculum & Instruction (April 1- June 14)
For further information about BGSU’s Middle Childhood Generalist Endorsement, See FAQ below or contact:
Angela Thomas, Program Coordinator, angthom@bgsu.edu or 419-372-9110,
or
Wendy Vaughn, Department Secretary, at wwalsto@bgsu.edu or 419-372-7320.
Licensure Examinations
Once your coursework is finished, you must also pass an examination demonstrating your knowledge in the endorsed subject areas.
Students seeking the Middle Childhood Generalist Endorsement will be required to take the OAE (Ohio Assessments for Educators) exams issued by Pearson Education:
Options: You may take two elementary subtests (Recommended), or the relevant content-specific subject area test (Not recommended):
Test Code Test Name
018 Elementary Education (Subtest I)
AND
019 Elementary Education (Subtest II)
OR
Take one content-specific exam for each endorsement subject area:
028 Middle School English Language Arts
029 Middle School Science
030 Middle School Mathematics
031 Middle School Social Studies
For a list of exams, visit
http://www.oh.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_Tests.html
What Should I Do After I Complete My Summer Coursework?
Upon satisfactory completion of endorsement coursework with a 2.8 GPA, students should apply for the endorsement online through the ODE website. In your S.A.F.E. account, click on "my credential," "select action," "add area," find the endorsement area from the list and click the box next to it, then “continue.” Follow prompts to complete the application, making sure to apply your payment to the application.
Make sure BGSU has your passing Pearson OAE score/s. To verify, please contact Janet Hammersmith at jhammer@bgsu.edu.
After verifying your requirements, BGSU will approve your application for the endorsement. You will then receive an email confirmation from ODE that your license is ready for you to print. ODE no longer sends out a paper license; you print the license yourself.
If you have questions in this process, contact Janet Hammersmith at 419-372-7289 or jhammer@bgsu.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Candidates at the post-baccalaureate or Graduate levels must have an Ohio teaching license in Middle Childhood Education. No other licenses qualify.
- A minimum of 6 hours of coursework must be taken in the added subject area(s). Courses must address standards/content taught in grades 4-6, as well as developmentally appropriate pedagogy.
- Passage of the OAE Elementary education subtest exams (018/019).
- Yes, we require a 2.8 cumulative GPA to enroll in endorsement classes, as well as a 2.8 GPA in completed endorsement coursework.
- You must take endorsement classes in addition to any general education classes in the subject(s) you wish to add to your license.
(No.), Can I add just one subject area? (Yes.)
The OAE Elementary Education subtest exams I & II, #018 and #019 are required.
- Note that these exams cover the four core subject areas (math, science, social studies, and language arts) taught at the elementary school level.
- Register on the Pearson Education website.
Endorsement classes are offered during the summer semester only. All endorsement classes are offered online. These courses are intense, since they are shortened to permit candidates to complete endorsement course work in a single summer.
No. Our goal is to prepare you as well as possible for teaching these additional subjects to your students. General education courses do not address content targeted specifically at the intermediate grades, nor do they address pedagogy. Therefore, they do not meet state endorsement requirements.
- Yes, under these conditions:
- You must have accumulated a minimum of 90 credit hours, have satisfactorily completed your methods bock course work, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- You must apply to the Graduate College for admission as an “advanced undergraduate.”
- Only courses at the 5000 level will be considered.
- You must have the course instructor’s permission to enroll in his/her class, as well as the permission of the Director of the School of Teaching and Learning.
- Tuition changes yearly. See the link to the Bursar’s Office for current tuition information.
- Please note that financial aid is typically not available for endorsement coursework. A person must be enrolled in a degree-granting program to receive financial aid.
Summer’s course schedule is posted in February.
- You must be registered by the department for the Endorsement courses. Once you have submitted the proper paperwork and have met the criteria for registration, we will be able to register you for your courses.
Updated: 01/26/2024 03:23PM