Teacher Education Degrees and Programs

Two departments in the School of Education and Professional Studies offer Bachelor of Science Degrees in teacher education. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education offers programs in Elementary Education (K-8) and Secondary Education (7-12). Secondary Education Program majors may concentrate in Biology, English, French, Mathematics, and the Social Studies. The Department of Health Education and Physical Education offers programs in Physical Education (K-12) and Health Education (K-12). All teacher education programs are approved by the Maine Department of Education. Graduates of the teacher education programs are eligible for certification by the Maine Department of Education and by other states and Canadian provinces sharing reciprocity with Maine.

Teacher education programs include a General Education Core, a subject area major, and a professional sequence of methodology and field experiences. The General Education Core (45 semester hours) provides students with a broad foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. Concepts fostered throughout the Core are: literacy; numeracy; personal, social, and cultural awareness; scientific inquiry; and an appreciation of the arts. The subject area major involves an in-depth study of a specific discipline and provides courses and experiences for acquiring the concepts, values, skills, and methods of inquiry for a particular discipline. Through the professional sequence, the prospective teacher gains essential knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes to assist students in the learning process. Graduates of our teacher education programs have demonstrated competencies for initial teacher certification through academic study, early and on-going field experiences, and reflective practice. Working with area schools and professional organizations, students are given progressive opportunities to put theory and pedagogy into practice.

Teacher education programs are tied to national standards in each discipline, Maine's K-12 Learning Results, and initial teacher certification standards recommended by the State Board of Education. The program model and philosophy supports a well-planned sequence of courses and field experiences based on current best practice and educational research.

Professional Standing in Teacher Education

Upon completing 45 credit hours of course work, students must apply for professional standing.

In order to continue in a teaching major in Elementary Education, Health Education, Physical Education, or Secondary Education, students must apply to the Teacher Education Admission/Retention Committee. To be eligible for professional standing, a student must:

• have achieved a minimum overall grade point average of 2.25 or higher at the completion of 45 credits;
• provide evidence of communication skills (at least a 2.00 grade point average in Eng 101, Eng 102, and Com 110;
• have attained satisfactory evaluations in all practicum experiences;
• make formal written application to the Teacher Education Admission/Retention Committee;
• have completed or have in progress 45 credits of college-based course work, which is to include the following:
  • Com 110 Introduction to Human Communication 3
  • Edu 150 Exploring Contemporary Education 3
  • Edu 150L Exploring Contemporary Education Lab 1
  • Eng 101 Composition and Literature I 3
  • Eng 102 Composition and Literature II 3
  • Math Elective 3
  • Psy 100 General Psychology 3
  • Science course with lab 4
• transfer students must complete 15 credits at UM-Presque Isle prior to application for professional standing.
  

Students who are not eligible to apply, or who are denied professional standing in a teacher education program after 45 hours of course work may petition the Teacher Education Admission/Retention Committee for permission to take additional professional courses and may apply/reapply after completion of 60 hours of college credit ( 30 hours at UM-Presque Isle for transfer students). No student may apply for professional standing more than twice.

All education majors (especially those expecting to graduate within eight semesters) are expected to work closely with their faculty advisors to follow the prescribed sequence of courses for their particular major. Students who have advisors that are not teacher education faculty should confer occasionally with a member of the teacher education faculty to keep abreast of changing policies and requirements.

Eligibility for Student Teaching

To be considered eligible to student teach, students must:

• have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or greater;
• have achieved a 2.50 grade point average in their major and a 2.50 in the professional sequence and maintain this for at least one full semester prior to student teaching;
• have completed 90 credit hours of course work;
• possess and maintain adequate health;
• have attained satisfactory evaluations in all practicum experiences;
• make formal application to the Director of Student Teaching at least one semester prior to placement and be approved by departmental faculty;
• successfully complete the Communication Skills and General Knowledge tests of the National Teacher Examination prior to student teaching.

Credit/No Credit Option

Within the teacher education programs the credit/no credit option may not be elected for General Education Core courses, courses within the subject major, or for courses in the professional sequence.

The National Teacher Examination (Praxis II)

The Maine Department of Education requires successful completion of the National Teacher Examination Core Battery Tests in General Knowledge, Communication Skills, and Professional Knowledge. In order to be certified, applicants for certification must achieve the established qualifying scores before initial certification is granted.