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    Oct 06, 2024  
2024/25 UM UMM Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024/25 UM UMM Undergraduate 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: 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) 581-2441 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 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 additional English 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 https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/maine-tests.html

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

Math Requirement


The minimum GPA must be 3.0 or higher. 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.

English Requirement


ENG 101 and one English course from the following list. The minimum GPA must be 3.0 or higher for this class and ENG 101.  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.

Students enrolled in Honors College


Students enrolled in the Honors College can complete the English requirement within Elementary Education by successfully completing two of the following courses. The minimum GPA must be 3.0 or higher. 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.

Social Studies Requirement


One course in Native American Studies (NAS) and one course from the following areas:   

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

The minimum GPA must be 3.0 or higher, or students can take the corresponding Praxis 2 content test for Elementary.

Students enrolled in Honors College


Students enrolled in the Honors College can complete one of the Social Studies requirements by successfully completing one of the following courses. It will not waive the NAS Course Requirement.  The minimum GPA must be 3.0 or higher, or students can take the corresponding Praxis 2 content test for Elementary.

Science Requirement


The Science requirement can be fulfilled with two science courses, excluding FSN and KPE courses. The minimum GPA must be 3.0 or higher, or students can take the corresponding Praxis 2 content test for Elementary.

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 B, and achieve an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75.  They must also fulfill all portfolio requirements, including minimum grades (or passing appropriate Praxis CORE subtests) and documentation of the field experience and CHRC approval.

Field Experience Requirement


Prior to enrollment in EHD 400, students are required to complete a minimum of five credit hours of early
field experiences. These early field experience credits can be earned in any course offered by the

College of Education and Human Development for the purpose of experiential learning in an experiential
setting.

Prior to Teacher Candidacy
EHD 198 - Field Experience I: Developing Professional Identity  - Level 1
EHD 297 - Field Experience II: Supportive Systems and Structures  - Level 2
EHD 298 - Teacher Candidacy Field Experience  - Level 3 (Apply for Teacher Candidacy)

Post Teacher Candidacy
EHD 397 - Field Experience IV: Focus on Special Education  - Level 4
EHD 398 - Field Experience V: Focus on Literacy Education  - Level 5

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


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.

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 or STS

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)

5) 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

6) Child Development


  • 24 credits of CHF

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