Teacher Preparation Programs

Thinking about a career in teaching?  Whether you’re interested in early childhood, elementary, secondary or special education, UMA either offers courses directly or works with other campuses to help you achieve your goals.

Teacher Preparation Programs

UMA Minor in Secondary Education

Maine requires public high school teachers to earn certification and endorsements in the subjects they teach. In addition, some private schools may require certification. Secondary Education endorsements include, but are not limited to, English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Life Science, Physical Science, and Art.  UMA offers a minor in Secondary Education that provides the education courses and a student teaching internship required by the Maine Department of Education. A complete listing of Maine Department of Education Certificates and Endorsements is included in Chapter 115 Part II available at the Maine DOE website. 

Students entering the program with significant credits (UMA and/or transfer) may need to complete more than 120 credits in order to fulfill all of the requirements for UMA and the Maine DOE. In addition, some majors may not provide enough elective choices to complete the minor within the 120 credits required for graduation. In that event, students may need to complete more than 120 credits. Students should work closely with their advisor for their major as well as the Coordinator of Teacher Certification to ensure they are choosing the correct courses.

 

PATHWAY FOR MINOR IN SECONDARY EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION

 
  • Enroll in degree program associated with content area: English, Biology (Life and/or Physical Science), Social Science (Social Studies). Art students should consult their content advisors for the appropriate pathway for Art Education. Students wishing to receive an endorsement in Mathematics can enroll in a a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies to achieve the appropriate course work for a Mathematics endorsement. Endorsements for other disciplines, e.g., business, computer technology, world languages, and health are available from the MDOE. If interested in these endorsements please see the Coordinator of Teacher Certification. NOTE: Endorsements in most disciplines could also be fulfilled through a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies or a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.
  • Declare a minor in Secondary Education.
 
RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE
    
  • EDU 250 Foundations of Education  (3 credits)  This course is designed for students interested in entering the teaching profession (K-12). Historical, social, political, and philosophical dimensions of education as well as current issues will be examined. This introductory experience will help students gain an appreciation for the multiple aspects of teaching and will assist them in constructing their personal philosophies of teaching.  NOTE: There is a DANTES exam that is available for EDU 250. The exam is available through the Advising Center.  The test fee is $80.00; the service fee is $25.00. The exam is administered twice monthly except in August and January. Success on the exam waives the requirement for this course and provides you with three credits. Suggested study materials and sample questions can be found here.
  • Beginning portfolio completed
  • PRAXIS I completed.  Applicants for initial teacher certification must achieve a composite score of 526 in the three sections of the PPST/PRAXIS I with no single score being more that three points lower than the required scores. Required scores: Reading: 176; Writing: 175; Mathematics: 175 . Send scores to UMA.
  • NOTE: It is strongly recommended that students accumulate at least 30 credit hours of general course work  before enrolling in EDU 380 or EDU 390.
  • EDU 380 Literacy and Technology Across the Curriculum  (3 credits) In this course students will investigate what it means to be a literate person in the 21st century. Students will learn and practice traditional and digital strategies for strengthening literacy levels in their content areas. Students will also consider the role of paperless classrooms and cloud computing. PREREQUISITES: ENG 101, EDU 250 or equivalencies.
  • Intermediate portfolio completed.
  • EDU 387 Teaching the Exceptional Child in the Regular Classroom This online course is designed to assist pre-service teachers and others to develop an understanding of the characteristics of children and adolescents considered to be exceptional.  Students will gain knowledge of effective teaching strategies, interventions, and modifications for exceptional children and adolescents. NOTE: PSY 345 Problems and Interventions in Childhood or any accepted MDOE exceptionalities course will be accepted for this requirement. (can be completed anytime before EDU 390)
  • At least 24 credit hours in content area completed.
  • PRAXIS II content assessment passed, attempted, or scheduled. Have scores sent to UMA.
    • English:                   Test code 5041(computer); 0041 (paper).          Passing score - 160.
    • Life Science:            Test code 0235.                                                Passing score - 150.
    • Mathematics:           Test code 5061(computer), 0061 (paper).          Passing score - 126.
    • Physical Science:      Test code 0481.                                               Passing score - 147.
    • Social Studies:         Test code 5081 (computer); 0081 (paper).         Passing score - 157.
  • EDU 390 Secondary Teaching Methods (3 credits)  This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of general and specific methods for teaching in the secondary school. Methods and problems related to teaching and learning in the student's major field will be emphasized. In addition, formative and summative assessment, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design will be addressed. Students will engage in 10 hours of observation in a school of their choosing. Students will create a unit of study for their particular content area. This unit of study will become part of their teacher portfolio and may be the unit they teach during their student teaching practicum. Successful completion of a content methods or assessment course is a requisite for teacher licensure in Maine.  COURSE PREREQUISITES: EDU 250, EDU 387 or equivalencies. OTHER PREREQUISITES: PRAXIS I passed; PRAXIS II attempted or scheduled; MDOE fingerprinting must be completed prior to field observation.
  • Advanced portfolio completed.
  • PRAXIS II passed. See passing scores above.
  • Student Teaching Application submitted by October 1 for spring placements and by February 1 for fall placements. (Applications are generally completed during EDU 390). NOTE: It is strongly recommended that students applying for student teaching achieve senior status and have no more than 6 credit hours of course work left to complete their degree major.
  • PRAXIS II - Principles of Learning and Teaching assessment (fee) scheduled before or during EDU 490
  • EDU 490 Internship in Student Teaching  (15 credits) This 15 week internship provides students with the opportunity to develop teaching skills and experience the full role of teaching in a school setting. With their mentor teachers, students will plan and organize instruction,  evaluate student progress, and participate in the extra curricular activities of the host school. Successful completion of the student teaching internship is a requisite for teacher licensure in Maine. PREREQUISITES: EDU 250, EDU 390, EDU 387, equivalencies or permission. OTHER PREREQUISITES: PRAXIS I AND II passed.
  • Final Student Teacher Portfolio and Professional Portfolio completed.
  • PLT scores [Test code 5624 (computer), 0624(paper). Qualifying score: 157] and final transcripts sent to MDOE.  Have scores sent to UMA