Program Details

The Education program prepares students for teaching through hands-on experiences and classroom opportunities.

Elementary kids getting face paint

The degree candidate:

  • Understands how students learn and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
  • Uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that allow each learner to reach his/her full potential.
  • Works with learners to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, encouraging positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.
  • Understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners.
  • Understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical/creative thinking and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
  • Understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to document learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s on-going planning and instruction.
  • Draws upon knowledge of content areas, cross-disciplinary skills, learners, the community, and pedagogy to plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals.
  • Understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to access and appropriately apply information.
  • Is a reflective practitioner who uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (students, families, and other professionals in the learning community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
  • Seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession. 
  • Models and applies the National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS•S) as they design, implement, and assess learning experiences to engage students and improve learning; enrich professional practice; and provide positive models for students, colleagues, and the community.

Concentrations

Elementary Education

12-15 Credits

This program prepares students to teach kindergarten through grade eight. Completion of the Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a concentration in Elementary Education is a Maine Department of Education approved program for teaching endorsement #020 General Elementary Teacher (grades kindergarten-8).

Students in this concentration will take the general education and education program core requirements, as well as:

  • Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
  • Praxis Elementary Education; Multiple Subjects
  • 6 credits in Math, English and Language Arts, Science, Social Studies
  • A 24-credit minor in one of the following subjects: visual arts, mathematics, English and language arts, life sciences, social studies OR music

Secondary Education

12-15 Credits

This program prepares students to teach in grades 7–12. Completion of the Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a concentration in Secondary Education is an approved program for the following Maine Department of Education teaching endorsements: Art, English, Life Science, Physical Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics.

Students in this concentration will take the general education and education program core requirements, as well as:

  • Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
  • Praxis Content Area Exam
  • A 24-credit minor in one of the following subjects: visual arts, mathematics, English and language arts, life sciences, social studies OR music

Special Education

12-15 Credits

This concentration leads to teacher preparation in working with students with mild to moderate disabilities. Students in this program must choose to focus on teaching students in kindergarten through grade eight, or grade seven through grade 12.

Students in this concentration will take the general education and education program core requirements, as well as:

  • Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
  • Praxis Elementary Education; Multiple Subjects
  • 33 credits of Special Education coursework

Inclusive Early Childhood Education

12-15 Credits

This concentration leads to teacher preparation in working with young children (birth through age five) with mild to moderate disabilities within inclusive settings.

Students in this concentration will take the general education and education program core requirements, as well as:

  • Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
  • Praxis Content Area Exam
  • A total of 12 credits in Liberal Arts English, Liberal Arts Mathematics, Liberal Arts Science, and Liberal Arts Social Studies (from either the general core classes or electives)
  • 39 credits in professional coursework, including the Program Capstone Experience – SED 329

Pluralism Policy

It is the philosophy of UMaine Machias’ education program that curricula and courses provide a balanced and thoughtful approach to gender, race, ethnicity and cultural diversity. Class presentations, discussions, assignments, evaluations, and texts incorporate, when appropriate, diverse histories, traditions, values and behaviors. These multicultural components reflect local, national and global human experiences and convey a sense of affirmation and appreciation of similarities and differences among people.

Infinity graph of The meeting Teacher Certification Standards in a Rural Setting

Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework for UMaine Machias’ Education Program combines our guiding principles, theoretical foundation, and mission statement and drives decision-making at the program and course level.

About the Program

Students work with faculty who have many combined years of classroom experience. Graduates of the Education program will qualify for teacher certification in the State of Maine.

  • Individualized learning opportunities  allow students to develop close relationships with classmates and faculty as they enjoy the pristine Down East environment.
  • Applied learning begins in the first semester with a field placement in a local classroom and continues with field experiences throughout.
  • In their senior year, students complete 15 weeks of full-time student teaching under the mentorship of a cooperating teacher.

Student Resources

Learning Outcomes for Education Students

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Coursework Progressions: Elementary and Secondary Education Concentrations

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Coursework Progressions: Special Education and Inclusive Early Childhood Education Concentrations

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Certifications

UMaine Machias’ post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program is a non-degree pathway to becoming a certified teacher in Maine. Students who hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in any field may apply for admission to this program. The program offers three routes to certification: Teacher Certification in Elementary Education; Teacher Certification in Secondary Education; and Teacher Certification in Special Education.

This program prepares students to teach kindergarten through eighth grade.  Students enrolled in this program must complete 35 credit hours of professional education coursework, plus 12 credit hours of student teaching, as well as successfully complete Praxis Core Academic Skills Assessments and Praxis General Elementary Content Assessment.

Students may need to complete additional liberal arts coursework in order to ensure 24 credit hours in liberal art are complete: six in English, six in mathematics, six in science, and six in social studies. Completion of the Teacher Certification in Elementary Education program is a Maine Department of Education approved program for teaching endorsement #020 General Elementary Teacher.

This program prepares students to teach in grades seven through 12. Students enrolled in this program must complete 26 credit hours of professional education coursework, plus 12 credit hours of student teaching, as well as successfully complete Praxis Core Academic Skills Assessments and relevant Praxis Content Assessment. Students may need to complete additional liberal arts coursework in order to ensure 24 credit hours in the area of specialization. Completion of the Teacher Certification in Secondary Education Program is an approved program for the following Maine Department of Education teaching endorsements: Art, English, Life Science, Physical Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics.

This program leads to teacher preparation for working with students with mild to moderate disabilities. Students in this program must choose to focus upon teaching students in kindergarten through grade 8, or grade 7 through grade 12. Students in this concentration complete nine professional courses, an internship in a special education (K-12) setting, and 12 weeks of full time student teaching. Praxis Core Academic Skills Assessments and Praxis Content Area Assessment are also required. 

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