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Middle-Level Endorsement 5-8

Endorsement

With a middle-level endorsement, you’ll earn an additional license, stand out from other teachers, and delve deeper into a subject to better serve your students.

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By adding a middle-level endorsement to your elementary or secondary education degree, you’ll earn an additional license to teach middle school communication arts and literature (English), mathematics, or social studies. This will expand your subject expertise and help you be a more marketable teacher with a wide range of courses you can legally teach.

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Why should I study education at Bethel?

Here, you’ll find a Christ-centered learning community where you belong. Your learning will center in the Department of Education, where you’ll learn from compassionate and knowledgeable professors who will get to know you personally and will invest in your success. 

  • Faith-fueled learning
    As you gain the skills to teach, you’ll also explore how your faith can influence your work and drive you to serve in incredible ways in your classroom and the world.
  • A respected education program
    You’ll study education in a department known and respected around the region and beyond for its strong teacher preparation. In fact, many area principals look to hire recent Bethel graduates, and many students secure a full-time job before graduation.
  • Mentorship and support
    You’ll meet with your faculty advisor to help you meet your goals. While student teaching, you’ll be mentored by a full-time faculty member to receive valuable, individualized feedback that will help you reflect on your work and improve.

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Connect with a counselor

They’ll answer your questions, connect you with professors, and help you find the right time to visit campus. They’ll be there every step of the way to help make applying to Bethel as smooth as possible.

Find your counselor

Courses and skills

What skills will I develop?

By adding an endorsement, you’ll expand your teaching knowledge and develop the skills to serve more students.

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Expand your base of teaching skills

Each endorsement will prepare you to meet the specific developmental and educational needs of middle school students.

Delve deeper into a subject area

As you earn an endorsement in communication arts and literature (English), mathematics, or social studies, you’ll complete advanced coursework in the subject area and gain deeper skills in that discipline.

Gain hands-on experience that informs how you teach

You’ll learn in classes built around hands-on learning, which means you will have the opportunity to gain firsthand experience completing the types of assignments your future students will do.

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Academic plans

Map out your time at Bethel—from day one to your diploma. Your course schedule is designed to help you grow, gain skills, and become who you’re meant to be.

See plans

Learning opportunities

What experiences will I have?

Hands-on learning is at the core of all Bethel majors. That means you’ll find numerous opportunities to get involved, apply what you’ve learned, and gain experience. And Bethel’s size and vibrant community will allow you to pursue ways to get involved right away.

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Student teaching and classroom experience

From your first day on campus, you’ll have numerous classroom experiences in a range of diverse settings in our partner schools. And you’ll spend a semester student teaching full time in a local classroom. And we have many partnerships with area schools that will help you find the best fit that suits your goals.

Expand your learning community

You’ll not only participate in education department activities, you’ll also have the chance to become involved with departments tied to your focus area—the Department of Math and Computer Science, the Department of English and Journalism, and/or the Department of History, Philosophy, and Political Science

Networking and connections

You’ll be able to attend events hosted by the education department where you can interact with regional education leaders, build connections, develop your job interviewing skills, and interact directly with potential employers. These include a principal panel each fall and Bethel Advance, a recruiting and interview night held each spring.

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Real-world impact

How will this endorsement help my career goals?

By adding an endorsement, you’ll become a more effective and marketable teacher with additional subject expertise.

Earn an additional license

You’ll become licensed and qualified to teach middle school communication arts and literature (English), mathematics, and/or social studies in addition to your degree in elementary or secondary education.

Stand out to districts and employers

By adding one or multiple endorsements, you’ll stand out to school districts, show your love for middle school students, and become more effective in your teaching.

Graduate school and Ed.D. programs

You’ll be prepared to pursue further certifications, licenses, and graduate programs to better serve students and earn higher wages. You can go on to pursue a principal license, a superintendent license, and other administrative roles.

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Start your journey

Explore Bethel for yourself

Visiting campus is the best way to learn about Bethel and our majors. As you try out academic and campus life at Bethel, you can attend a class, chat with students, meet professors and coaches, tour campus, and get a taste of life in our program.

Schedule a visit

Faculty mentors

Meet your professors

You’ll learn alongside faculty who are distinguished scholars and faithful Christians. They’ll invest in your success, and you’ll develop strong mentoring relationships that extend past graduation. You’ll learn from professors who are always seeking new methods and content to keep courses fresh and innovative, and our department stresses the importance of classrooms being communities of learning where all students are welcome and respected.

Department of Education


Location

Lakeside Center (LSC) C200

Contact

Jill Martin

Jill Martin

Jill Martin

Associate Professor of Education

Bio >

Nadine Johnson

Nadine Johnson

Education Licensing and Advising Specialist

Bio >

Elisabeth Lefebvre

Elisabeth Lefebvre

Associate Professor of Education

Bio >

Mary Lindell

Mary Lindell

Associate Professor of Education

Bio >

Peg McCormick

Peg McCormick

Associate Professor of Education

Bio >

Michael Mignard

Michael Mignard

Associate Professor of Education and Director of Education Clinical Practice

Bio >

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Mindy Molin

Administrative Assistant

Bio >

Danny Swensen

Danny Swensen

Professor of Education

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Steven Thompson

Steven Thompson

Professor of Music Education

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Geri Von Grey

Geri Von Grey

Associate Professor of Education

Bio >

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Becky Carlson

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Education and Elementary Education Placement Coordinator

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William Derden

William Derden

Adjunct Instructor of Education

Bio >

Karin Farrington

Karin Farrington

Adjunct Instructor of Education

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Justine Harren

Adjunct Instructor of Education

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Katelin Held

Adjunct Instructor of Education

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Rachel Jorgensen

Rachel Jorgensen

Adjunct Instructor of Education

Bio >

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Amie Lorence Grubidge

Adjunct Instructor of Education

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Sara Nelson

Adjunct Instructor of Education

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Melissa Olson

Adjunct Instructor of Education

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Amy Fox

Amy Fox

Adjunct Instructor of Education

Bio >

Erica Hering

Erica Hering

Adjunct Instructor of Education

Bio >

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Sara Jones

Adjunct Instructor of Education

Bio >

Lisa Kepple

Lisa Kepple

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Health Education

Bio >

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Glenn Morehouse Olson

Adjunct Instructor of Education

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Lisa Ouren

Adjunct Instructor of Education

Bio >

Susan Schwope

Susan Schwope

Adjunct Instructor of Education

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Amanda Wallrich

Adjunct Instructor of Education

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Amanda Wallrich

Adjunct Instructor of Education

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Susan Brooks

Susan Brooks

Professor of English Emerita

Bio >

Scott Brown

Scott Brown

Professor of Mathematics Education Emeritus

Bio >

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Patricia Danforth

Assistant Professor of Education Emerita

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Adele Greenlee

Professor of Education Emerita

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Dorothy Haugen

Assistant Professor of Physical Education Emerita

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Steven Henkel

Steven Henkel

Professor of Human Kinetics and Applied Health Science Emeritus

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Sandi Horn

Sandi Horn

Associate Professor of Education Emerita

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David Klostreich

Associate Professor of Physical Education Emeritus

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Patricia Paulson

Patricia Paulson

Professor of Science Education Emerita

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Jolene Pearson

Jolene Pearson

Associate Professor of Education Emerita

Bio >

Jay Rasmussen

Jay Rasmussen

Professor of Education Emeritus

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Mark Rhoads

Mark Rhoads

Professor of Music Emeritus

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Louise Wilson

Associate Professor of Education Emerita

Bio >

$60,109

average salary for education alumni 10 years after graduation

- U.S. Census Bureau

99%

of our graduates say they would recommend our teacher education program

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Accessible education

Tuition and financial aid

We want you to understand from the beginning what a Bethel education costs. That’s why we made it simple. Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, tuition for the College of Arts & Sciences will be $25,990—down from $44,050. This more accurately reflects what you can expect to pay, empowering you to make informed decisions and become who you're meant to be.

Estimate your cost today

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Become A Bethel Student

Apply now

You belong at Bethel. If you're ready to see who you could become, start your free application today.

Start your application

Find your fit

Explore related programs

This flexible minor will complement almost any major you choose. But here are a few examples:

Explore the full lists:

Majors and minors Preprofessional programs Endorsements