Dec 08, 2025

2025-2026 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, 102 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 6 credits of Mathematics, 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 or 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
*Inclusive Special Education

Mathematics Requirements

The minimum GPA must be 3.0 or higher is required in 6 credits of Math. If the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement is not met, a passing score for the state of Maine for the appropriate PRAXIS CORE subtest(s) is sufficient.

MAT 108 - Elementary Numerical Mathematics From A Modern Perspective Credits: 3 (Spring only)
MAT 109 - Elementary Descriptive Geometry Credits: 3 (Fall Only)

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.

ENG 101 - College Composition Credits: 3
AND one English course from the list below:
ENG 201 - Strategies for Writing Across Contexts Credits: 3
ENG 215 - Theories and Practices of Writing Credits: 3
ENG 301 - Approaches to Teaching Writing Credits: 3

Social Studies Requirement

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

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

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 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 Core Courses-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 in 6 credits of English and 6 credits of Math (or passing appropriate Praxis CORE subtests), CHRC approval and successful completion of EHD 298 .

CHF 201 - Introduction to Child Development Credits: 3
EHD 101 - The Art and Science of Teaching Credits: 3
EHD 202 - Education in a Multicultural Society Credits: 3
EHD 203 - Educational Psychology Credits: 3
EDT 400 - Integrating Technology for Teaching and Learning Credits: 3

Professional Pre-Education Courses (Grade of B or higher required)

These classes are taken upon admission to Teacher Candidacy; a grade of B or higher is required in each.

Professional Education Courses (Grade of B or higher required)

These classes are taken upon admission to Teacher Candidacy and completion of Professional Pre-Education Courses; a grade of B or higher is required in each.

EHD 400 - Field Observation (Activity) Credits: 1-6
EMA 314 - Teaching Mathematics in Elementary School Credits: 3
ERL 320 - Methods for Teaching the Science of Content Reading and Writing in Grades 3-8 Credits: 3
ESC 316 - Methods for Teaching Science in the Elementary School Credits: 3
ESS 315 - Methods for Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School Credits: 3

Field Experience Requirement

At Teacher Candidacy, elementary and secondary education students must complete a minimum of 60 total hours of approved field experiences in PK-12 public school settings and EHD 298 for at least 1 credit. Students will complete an additional 90 field experience hours before enrolling in EHD 400 .

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 in order to be eligible for EHD 298 , EHD 400 , EHD 490 , and EHD 498 . A grade of B or higher is required in EHD 400 and EHD 498 .

EHD 298 - Teacher Candidacy Field Experience Credits: 1-3
EHD 400 - Field Observation (Activity) Credits: 1-6
EHD 490 - Full-Day Student Teaching (Elementary) Credits: 1 - 12
(Students in this major must take 12 credits)
EHD 498 - Seminar for Interns Credits: 1-3
OR a passing grade in
EHD 493 - Alternative Practicum and Seminar in Education Credits: 3 - 6
NOT Student Teaching. Students who are in a teacher preparation program but choose to complete EHD 493 instead of student teaching will not be considered a graduate of a NCATE/CAEP approved program or a state approved program.

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

First Year

CHF 201 - Introduction to Child Development Credits: 3
EDT 400 - Integrating Technology for Teaching and Learning Credits: 3
EHD 100 - New Student Seminar in Education and Human Development Credits: 1
(waived for transfer students)
EHD 101 - The Art and Science of Teaching Credits: 3
EHD 202 - Education in a Multicultural Society Credits: 3
EHD 203 - Educational Psychology Credits: 3
ENG 101 - College Composition Credits: 3
Social Studies Course Credits: 3
General Education Requirements and Specialization Electives
30 hours of field experience
CHRC/Fingerprint Approval

Second Year

EHD 298 - Teacher Candidacy Field Experience Credits: 1-3
ENG 201 - Strategies for Writing Across Contexts Credits: 3
or
ENG 215 - Theories and Practices of Writing Credits: 3
or
ENG 301 - Approaches to Teaching Writing Credits: 3
ERL 217 - Children’s Literature Credits: 3
MAT 108 - Elementary Numerical Mathematics From A Modern Perspective Credits: 3
MAT 109 - Elementary Descriptive Geometry Credits: 3
General Education Requirements and Specialization Electives
Specialization Electives Credits
Take and Pass Praxis CORE if you are not meeting min 3.0 GPA in 6 credits of English
Take and pass Praxis CORE if you are not meeting min 3.0 GPA in 6 credits of Math
Apply for Teacher Candidacy, 60 hours of field experience complete

Third Year

EHD 204 - Teaching and Assessing for Student Learning Credits: 3
EHD 301 - Classroom-based Prevention and Intervention: Supporting Positive Behavior and Academic Achievement Credits: 3
ERL 319 - Methods for Teaching the Science of Foundational Reading and Writing in Preschool to Grade 3 Credits: 4
SED 302 - Adapting Instruction for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3
NAS Course Credits: 3
General Education Requirements and Specialization Electives
150 hours of field experience complete
Take & Pass Praxis II if minimum grade requirements not met for social studies and science prior to applying for EHD 490

Fourth Year - Fall Semester

EHD 400 - Field Observation (Activity) Credits: 1-6
(Students in this major must take 3 credits)
EMA 314 - Teaching Mathematics in Elementary School Credits: 3
ERL 320 - Methods for Teaching the Science of Content Reading and Writing in Grades 3-8 Credits: 3
ESC 316 - Methods for Teaching Science in the Elementary School Credits: 3
ESS 315 - Methods for Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School Credits: 3

Fourth Year - Spring Semester

EHD 490 - Full-Day Student Teaching (Elementary) Credits: 1 - 12
(Students in this major must take 12 credits)
EHD 498 - Seminar for Interns Credits: 1-3
or
EHD 493 - Alternative Practicum and Seminar in Education Credits: 3 - 6 NOT Student Teaching. Students who are in a teacher preparation program but choose to complete EHD 493 instead of student teaching will not be considered a graduate of a NCATE/CAEP approved program or a state approved program.

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 Child Development, 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)

Life Science recommended courses
BIO 100 - Basic Biology Credits: 4
BIO 200 - Biology of Organisms Credits: 4
BIO 208 - Anatomy and Physiology Credits: 4
BIO 122 - Biology: The Living Science Credits: 3
BIO 123 - Biology: The Living Science Laboratory Credits: 1
SMS 100 - Introduction to Ocean Science Credits: 3
biology, ecology, botany, zoology, anatomy, physiology, environmental science, entomology, ornithology

Physical Science recommended courses:
AST 109 - Introduction to Astronomy Credits: 3
AST 110 - Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory Credits: 1
ERS 101 - Introduction to Earth Science Credits: 4
ERS 102 - Environmental Geology Credits: 4
ERS 103 - Dynamic Earth Credits: 3
PSE 100 - Plant Science Credits: 4
chemistry, physics, geology, earth science, soil science, astronomy, meteorology, oceanography
Note: The State of Maine does not accept all science courses at the University so check with the Advising Center and/or the state of Maine website.

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

7) Inclusive Special Education

A total of 24 credit hours, distributed according to the following rules:

Required Courses
SED 302 - Adapting Instruction for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3
SED 370 - Teaching Reading/Writing to Children with Special Needs Credits: 3
SED 420 - Special Education Law Credits: 3
SED 425 - Assessment in Special Education Credits: 3
SED 435 - Program Planning for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3
SED 445 - Behavioral Support Systems and Strategies Credits: 3
Two electives from:
SED 303 - Communication & Collaboration in Special Education Credits: 3
SED 330 - Teaching Math in Special Education Credits: 3
SED 362 - Typical & Atypical Expressive & Receptive Language Credits: 3
SED 365 - Differentiated Instructional Strategies Credits: 3
SED 380 - Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Credits: 3
SED 397 Field Experience Credits: 1-3
SED 455 - Transitional Issues for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3