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The mission of the Education programs is to develop reflective teachers who are competent and caring lifelong learners. Our faculty members are dedicated to our students, university, and community through our research, service, and innovative teaching. In addition to the mission statement, the School of Professional Programs has four guiding principles that are used in the development and delivery of all courses and programs. These principles are:

• Rigorous mind
• Compassionate heart
• Competent demonstration
• Reflective stance

These guiding principles are integrated into all of our programs and align with our mission statement to define our commitment to our students. The Education programs are aligned with state teacher certification standards, and only individuals who demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills, professional attitude, and commitment to future students will be recommended by the institution for certification.

Students complete a four-year curriculum leading to a Bachelor’s Degree of Science. Maine State requirements mandate 24 credits in a discipline area. Students can either choose to double major in Secondary Education along with a major in an academic discipline that leads to certification or major in Secondary Education with an academic area concentration (24 credits). Academic disciplines at 911±¬ÁÏÍøºìÁì½í leading to secondary certification are: Biology (and associated life science majors), Chemistry, English, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, History, Marine Biology, Mathematics and Political Science. The Education programs provide professional teacher preparation courses culminating in a semester of student teaching.

There are two paths that students can take as a Secondary Education Major.

1. Double Major: Students can major in Secondary Education along with a major in an academic discipline that leads to certification. Areas of secondary certification are English, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, and Social Studies.
2. Secondary Major with Academic Concentration: Students can major in Secondary Education with an academic area concentration. Concentrations are available in Mathematics, Biology, Environmental Science, Physical Science (Chemistry and Physics), History, English, and Marine Science.

Secondary (7-12) Education Certification with Double Major

Secondary (7-12) Education with Academic Area Concentration

FIELD EXPERIENCE

The faculty in the Education programs are committed to ongoing and frequent observation and involvement in schools. The teacher education programs at 911±¬ÁÏÍøºìÁì½í have a specific competency-based focus to meet the Maine standards for teacher certification. All students engaged in teacher preparation will spend time in a field setting in each of the semesters for which they are registered for professional education courses. Involvement in the schools will be connected to specific, course-related tasks (e.g., observation, teaching lessons, conducting experiments, administering assessments, etc.). Transportation to and from schools is the responsibility of the student.

INTERNSHIP

Without specific permission from the Education Chair, courses may not be taken during the internship semester, so all required coursework must be completed the semester prior to the internship. Admission to the internship is not guaranteed and students must have reached Advanced Standing to apply.

In addition, the student should have:

1. Sufficient knowledge regarding the components of effective instruction.
2. Sufficient knowledge of appropriate grade-level content and teaching methods.
3. Sufficient knowledge of the developmental needs of students.
4. Sufficient knowledge of how to establish and maintain effective cooperative relationships with school personnel, students, and parents.
5. Understanding of and empathy for working with students.
6. No serious professional behavior reservations.

The selection of individual internship sites will be made by the Certification and Placement Officer. Geographical location relative to 911±¬ÁÏÍøºìÁì½í is a consideration. 911±¬ÁÏÍøºìÁì½í has a collaborative relationship with many districts and selects both schools and teachers based on their interest in and ability to assist interns in demonstrating mastery of the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards standards. Placement in an internship is not guaranteed. The Department of Education, through its Certification and Placement Officer, will make a good faith effort to negotiate an appropriate placement. Schools have the right to refuse placement requests. The 15-week student teaching internship experience must be done in a local Maine Public School that is in an established internship protocol with the 911±¬ÁÏÍøºìÁì½í.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR REVIEW BOARD (PERB)

All students enrolled in the internship must demonstrate their teaching competence with respect to Maine Common Core Teaching Standards before the Professional Educator Review Board (PERB). The Board is comprised of professional educators from area schools as well as 911±¬ÁÏÍøºìÁì½í faculty. Students are required to develop a portfolio reflecting their proficiency in meeting these state standards and present and defend the portfolio in front of the Board. Passing PERB is a requirement for completion of the certification program and subsequently being recommended to the Maine State Department of Education for teacher licensure.

advanced standing

All students in education certification programs must apply for admission to advanced standing when they have completed approximately 60 credit hours. To apply for advanced standing, students must develop a portfolio demonstrating how they have met proficiency in the following areas: a) teaching skills, knowledge, and disposition aligned with the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards; b) basic academic skills and c) professional skills. This portfolio is evaluated by a committee of education faculty and a pass/fail determination is made based on a holistic rubric. Students meeting these criteria create a development plan ensuring they will continue meeting require criteria and are prepared to student teach their final semester.

Students not meeting these criteria do not remain enrolled in a certification program; however, students do not have the option of changing their major to a non-certification major such as Educational Studies. Students can reapply for advanced standing upon completion of each additional semester up until their second to last semester (i.e., students graduating in Spring must meet advanced standing by the beginning of the previous Fall semester.

CONCENTRATION IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Maine Certification Area: 300 MATH (MAT)

CONCENTRATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Maine Certification Area: 395 LIFE SCIENCE (BIO, ENV, MAR)

CONCENTRATION IN BIOLOGY

Maine Certification Area: 395 LIFE SCIENCE (BIO, ENV, MAR)

CONCENTRATION IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE - Chemistry Track

Maine Certification Area: 350 PHYSICAL SCIENCE (CHE, PHY)

CONCENTRATION IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE – Physics Track

Maine Certification Area: 350 PHYSICAL SCIENCE (CHE, PHY)

CONCENTRATION IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE – Multi-disciplinary Track

Maine Certification Area: 350 PHYSICAL SCIENCE (CHE, PHY)

CONCENTRATION IN HISTORY

Maine Certification Area: 200 SOCIAL STUDIES (GEOG, HIS, ECO, POL)

CONCENTRATION IN ENGLISH

Maine Certification Area: 100 ENG/LA (ENG)

CONCENTRATION IN MARINE SCIENCES

Maine Certification Area: 395 LIFE SCIENCE (BIO, ENV, MAR)

SECONDARY EDUCATION WITH PHYSICAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION AND LIFE SCIENCE CONDITIONAL CERTIFICATION

This student would get P.E. Certification with a conditional certification in Life Science (or could do the reverse depending on what area the student would want to student teach).

SECONDARY EDUCATION WITH PHYSICAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION AND HISTORY CONDITIONAL CERTIFICATION

This student would get P.E. Certification with a conditional certification in History (OR could do the reverse depending on what area the student would want to student teach).

SECONDARY EDUCATION WITH PHYSICAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION AND ENGLISH CONDITIONAL CERTIFICATION

This student would get P.E. Certification with a conditional certification in English (or could do the reverse depending on what area the student would want to student teach).

*Biology Curricular Requirements

Curricular Area Requirements

**See Marine Curricular Requirements

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

All coursework, including the internship, should be completed within a five-year timeframe. A delay beyond the five years might warrant the retaking of coursework. Furthermore, if state certification requirements change prior to your completion even within the five-year timeframe, those changes must be incorporated into a revised program plan, in order to meet state certification regulations.

Maine Common Core Teaching Standards

Standard One: Learner Development

The teacher 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.

Standard Two: Learning Differences

The teacher 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.

Standard Three: Learning Environments

The teacher works with learners to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, encouraging positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Standard Four: Content Knowledge

The teacher 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

Standard Five: Innovative Applications of Content

The teacher 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.

Standard Six: Assessment

The teacher 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.

Standard Seven: Planning for Instruction

The teacher 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.

Standard Eight: Instructional Strategies

The teacher 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.

Standard Nine: Reflection and Continuous Growth

The teacher 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.

Standard Ten: Collaboration

The teacher 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.

Standard Eleven: Technology Standards for Teachers - (NETS.T)

Effective teachers model and apply 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. All teachers will meet the following standards and performance indicators.

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor.

TRANSFER CREDIT

Individuals who have full acceptance in the Teaching Certification Program can transfer up to, but no more than (6) education credits from other universities.

In-service or workshop-type courses that do not carry college credit will not be accepted for transfer equivalency.

No course of any kind will be accepted from other institutions after your acceptance into the program at 911±¬ÁÏÍøºìÁì½í without a course equivalency granted prior to the course being taken.

Recent 911±¬ÁÏÍøºìÁì½í graduates can enroll as Continuing Education students to complete student teaching in the Department of Education to achieve State of Maine’s Elementary or Secondary teacher certification.

In order to be admitted to student teaching through Continuing Education, students must:

• Have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 upon graduation from 911±¬ÁÏÍøºìÁì½í;
• Apply to student teach within 2 years of graduation;
• Be recommended by a 911±¬ÁÏÍøºìÁì½í Education advisor;
• Provide contact information for three references;
• Have completed the State of Maine recommended certification courses prior to student teaching.

Application deadlines for Student Teaching are October 1 for the following Spring semester and April 1 for the following Fall semester.

Once students are approved, the Education Chair will forward the approval paperwork to the Continuing Education program. The student will be eligible to register for the 12-credit student teaching experience.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.