Graduate Middle Grades Education Programs

Area Directors:

Language Arts

Dr. Roger A. Ladd 

Professor, Department of English, Theatre, and Foreign Languages 

Director, Graduate English Education

Office: Dial Humanities Building 121

Phone: 910.521.6624

Email: roger.ladd@uncp.edu 

Mathematics

Ms. Hillary Sessions

Director of Graduate Mathematics Education, Lecturer

Office: Oxendine Science 1213

Phone: 910.775.4419

Email: hillary.sessions@uncp.edu

Science

Dr. Rita Hagevik

Assistant Professor, Department of Biology

Director, Graduate Science Education

Office: Oxendine Science Building 2240

Phone: 910.521.6652

Email: rita.hagevik@uncp.edu

Social Studies

Dr. Serina Cinnamon 

Professor, Department of History

Director, Graduate Social Studies Education

Office: Dial Humanities Building, Room 207

Phone: 910.521.6441

Email: serina.cinnamon@uncp.edu

Program Description

The advanced Middle Grades Education degree program is designed for experienced teachers who possess or who are eligible to hold an “A” license in middle grades education. Building on the background knowledge and experience of the classroom teacher, the program seeks to strengthen advanced academic competence and to relate advanced understandings of the learner, learning process, curriculum, and instructional strategies to the unique needs and characteristics of the emerging adolescent. 

Program Goals

The Program will prepare the teacher to

1. Develop an understanding of the history and philosophy of middle grades education and theories about its future development, including organizational components and assessment and evaluation in the middle grades setting.

2. Develop an understanding of middle grades curriculum and practices appropriate for the emerging adolescent learner.

3. Develop a greater understanding of the theoretical base, research, and exemplary practices of middle grades education.

4. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the content and pedagogy of the middle grades curriculum.

5. Improve educational practice through self-reflection, self-evaluation, and action research.

Middle Grades Masters in Education Brochure