Teacher Education

classroom teacher

Why study Education at UMM? Our Education program prepares you for a career in the classroom through a rich variety of hands-on practical experiences, including extensive classroom opportunities. You will work with, and learn from, faculty with many years of classroom experience.

Unlike larger universities UMM offers individualized learning opportunities while developing close relationships with fellow students and faculty as you enjoy the pristine natural resources of the environment.

Teacher education has a proud tradition in Downeast Maine, beginning in 1909 as the Washington State Normal School. UMM graduates become highly qualified teachers, drawing on a strong educational foundation in content and a in-depth knowledge base of how students learn. You will be able to apply what you learn through classroom experiences beginning your freshman year.

Below is information on our programs in:

 

Elementary Education

classroom teacher

Download the Program of Study PDF for Elementary Education >>

This program leads to K-8 certification in the state of Maine allowing reciprocity with 40 other states. Its interdisciplinary focus will prepare you to become an elementary school teacher while you work with kindergarten through grade eight students.

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education offers concentrated study in the following areas:

  • Humanities
  • Social Sciences
  • Science and Mathematics
  • Special Education
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Coaching

 

Middle Level Education

Download the Program of Study PDF for Middle Level Education >>

This program leads to 5th - 8th grade level certification in the state of Maine allowing reciprocity with 40 other states. Its interdisciplinary focus will prepare you to become an upper elementary or middle school teacher with an emphasis on reading and writing across the curriculum.

The Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education offers concentrated study in the following areas:

  • Humanities
  • Social Sciences
  • Science and Mathematics
  • Special Education
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Coaching

Secondary Education

classroom teacher

Download the Program of Study PDF for Secondary Education >>

This program will prepare you to become a secondary school teacher (grades 6 through 12) with one or more concentrations in Art, English, Mathematics, Life Sciences, Physical Science, or Social Studies.

Post-Baccalaureate Certification Programs

If you already hold a baccalaureate degrees, UMM provides a certification-only program to prepare you for a teaching career at either the elementary or secondary levels.

Our individualized advising will assist you in determining which courses will best prepare you to meet the State of Maine certification requirements, as well as give you an excellent start in classroom teaching.

Please view our detailed Teacher Certification information.

Special Education Teacher Certification

Courses leading to the Teacher of Children with Disabilities (282) endorsement are offered through a collaborative agreement among the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK), University of Maine at Machias (UMM), and the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI), with grant support from the Maine Department of Education (MDOE).

Four or more of the special education courses in the sequence will be offered state-wide each year, with at least eight different courses offered every two years. Applicants for the endorsement will be required to complete the following:

  • Complete a minimum of 24 credit hours in special education
  • Pass Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) in reading, writing and mathematics (Praxis I)
  • Pass content area, pedagogical knowledge and skills assessment (Praxis II - code number 0353)
  • Complete 15 weeks of student teaching in the endorsement area. This requirement shall be waived upon completion of one full year of successful teaching under a targeted need certificate, conditional certificate, or transitional endorsement in this endorsement at the specified grade level.
  • Applicants for certification must also be fingerprinted.

If you are an undergraduate, speak with your advisor about taking one or more of these courses as electives toward the Certification. If you are interested in incorporating special education into your undergraduate degree at UMM, you can earn a Bachelor of College Studies with a Concentration in Special Education.

M.S. in Education: Professional Educator

A Master's Degree in Education for Classroom Teachers

The Master's in Education is a 36-credit master’s degree awarded by USM. The program provides a common core curriculum with the opportunity to select nine credits based on individual interests and career goals.

Delivered in a blended format with distance technology to cohorts of students across Washington and Aroostook Counties, this post-graduate program is taught by faculty from the Universities of Fort Kent, Machias, Presque Isle and the University of Southern Maine. It is an ideal course of study for in-service teachers wishing to complete their Master's degree on a part-time basis.

This three-year program provides three, ten-week courses conveniently scheduled during each school year with face-to-face classes held on two Saturdays each term at the Houlton Higher Education Center. On-line instruction can be done at the student's convenience, at home or workplace. Live videoconferencing will be available at local sites.

The next cohort of students is planned to begin the program in the fall of 2010.

For more information and admissions information, please contact:

Dr. Gael Romei
MEd Program Advisor
University of Maine at Machias
gael.romei@maine.edu
(207)255-1321

 

Information can also be received from:

Janet Steeves
Administrative Assistant II
Graduate Admissions
University of Southern Maine
jsteeves@usm.maine.edu
(207) 780-5306

 

Careers in Education

With a degree in Education, you can choose to pursue a career in a number of education-related fields, or you can return to school and pursue an advanced certification or masters degree in education. Here are some positions where an Education degree is valuable:

classroom teacher

  • Athletic coach
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Classroom Teacher
  • Day Care Administrator
  • Librarian
  • Literacy Specialist
  • School Administrator
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Title I Teacher

Faculty