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: 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, and 3 credits of EHD 498 for students in the student teaching option or EHD 493 for students in the non-student teaching option.
Contact Information: The Advising Center, 100 Shibles Hall (207) 581-2412 or email the Advising Center at: advisingcenter@maine.edu
This program is offered at the main campus of the University of Maine in Orono
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 Council for the Advancement of Educator Preparation (CAEP) 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.
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, a GPA of 3.0 in MAT 107 and MAT 108, and a GPA of a 3.0 in ENG 101 and three credits of an English Literature course. If the minimum GPA requirement is not met, a passing score for the state of Maine for the appropriate PRAXIS CORE subtest(s) is sufficient. 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 only if they are not earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher in each subtest area (social studies, science) 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
*Languages (Spanish and French)
*Child Development
*Special Education