Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Elementary Education


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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate:  120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate:  2.00

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: A B- or better in all professional education classes is required.

Other GPA requirements to graduate:  Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 to be eligible to apply for teacher candidacy and to student teach.

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience:  12 credits of EHD 490 for students in the Teaching option or EHD 493 for students in the Non-Teaching option.

Contact Information: The Advising Center, 100 Shibles Hall (207) 581-2412 or email the Advising Center at: advisingcenter@maine.edu


The college’s educator preparation programs emphasize a diverse liberal arts background and highly relevant professional training. The undergraduate teacher education programs are fully accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the State of Maine. Students graduate from our programs and enter the teaching profession with experience, an authentic view of schools, and an understanding that teaching, learning, and professional development are lifetime endeavors.

Students preparing to be elementary teachers spend the first two years building solid liberal arts background, technological competencies and subject area concentrations. They are also guided in the examination of public school classrooms and other settings that provide educational and related service to children and youth.

In their second year of study students apply for teacher candidacy by submitting a portfolio (efolio) that includes a transcript of their academic work to date which reflects a grade point average of at least 2.75, an analysis of one field experience in a K-8 classroom, and documentation of passing the state required PRAXIS I examination. NOTE: As a State of Maine approved program, we will adhere to state certification requirements and adapt our program to meet changing state regulations.  For example, students are now required to pass PRAXIS II prior to student teaching.  For more information about the state required PRAXIS exam, visit http://www.umaine.edu/edhd/academic-programs/praxis-test-series/

Students accepted to teacher candidacy at the end of their second year become immersed in the daily life and issues of public school during an intensive Education curriculum, a prelude to student teaching. During student teaching, future teachers learn and teach along with veteran teachers and get involved in many efforts to address the needs of students and schools.

Areas of Specialization in the Elementary Education program are:

*English
*Life/Physical Sciences
*Social Studies
*Math
*ESL
*Languages (Spanish and French)
Child Development and Family Relations
 

*Indicates that this Specialization leads to either Highly Effective Status or a teaching endorsement
 

Social Studies Requirement


The Social Studies requirement can be fulfilled with two courses from the following areas:

  • History (HTY)
  • Anthropology (ANT)
  • Geography (GEO)
  • Economics (ECO)
  • Political Science/Government (POS)
  • Native American Studies (NAS)

Students enrolled in Honors College


Students enrolled in the Honors College can complete the Social Studies requirement by successfully completing two of the following courses:

Professional Education-Prior to Teacher Candidacy


In order to be admitted to Teacher Candidacy and upper level courses in education, students must complete the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C-, and achieve an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75.  They must also fulfill all portfolio requirements, including pasing Praxis I and documentation of the field experience.

Core Courses


All core courses require a grade of B- or better.  Core classes are as follows:

Required Courses in Suggested Sequence for the B.S. in Elementary Education


First Year


Second Year


Third Year


Fourth Year - Spring Semester


Academic Specialization


  • 24 credits hours
  • GPA of 2.5 in the specialization to graduate
  • At least 12 credits must be in courses at the 200 level or above with the exception of Mathematics and Science specializations.
  • Academic advisors may approve up to 2 related courses in departments outside the department of the specialization.

 

Areas of Specialization


*1) English


  • 24 credits of ENG
  • 12 of those credits must be at 200 level or above

*2) Social Studies


  • 24 credits of ANT, GEO, HTY, ECO, POS, NAS
  • 12 of those credits must be at 200 level or above

*3) Math


  • 24 credits of MAT

*4) Life/Physical Sciences


24 credits of science courses, of those 9 required Life Science and 9 required Physical Science (to qualify for middle level endorsement)

*6) Languages


Spanish

  • 24 credits of SPA
  • 12 of those credits must be at the 200 level or higher

French

  • 24 credits of FRE
  • 12 of those credits must be at the 200 level or higher

7) Child Development and Family Relations


  • 24 credits of CHF including CHF 200 and CHF 201

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