Apr 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Middle and Secondary Education


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The heart of UMF’s Middle and Secondary Teacher Education Program is empowerment.  By forming learning communities with professors and peers, you will cultivate creative approaches to teaching, clarify your vision and identity as a teacher, and engage the promises and challenges of your profession to work toward social justice in schools and society. This program is designed so that students can start their careers with confidence in their content knowledge and professional skills.

Total Major Requirements 51 - 52 Credits


Professional Education Requirements 45 Credits


Grades of B- or higher must be earned in all professional courses with the possibility of one exception for extenuating circumstances.

Additional Education credits chosen from the following 6 Credits


Courses in Education, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, education-themed Honors courses, education courses transferred from other institutions, and other faculty-approved courses.

Student Teaching credits 15 Credits


Supporting Courses


Mathematics Concentration Course Total: 36 Credits


In addition to the professional courses required of all secondary education majors, the following courses are required for this specific concentration:

Mathematics Core 26 Credits


A grade of B- average or better must be earned in Mathematics courses OR a passing score for Maine (160) on the Praxis Subject Test for Mathematics (test code 5161).

(Note: 4 credits taken in Math will count for General Education requirements)

Social Science Concentration Course Total: 33 Credits


In addition to the professional courses required of all secondary education majors, the following courses are required of this specific concentration:

Social Science Core 15 Credits


A grade of B- average or better must be earned in Social Science courses OR passing score for Maine (157) on the Praxis Subject Test for Social Studies (test code 5081).

(Note: 6 credits taken in Social Studies will count for General Education requirements)

Life Science Concentration Core Total: 32 Credits


In addition to the professional courses required of all secondary education majors, the following courses are required of this specific concentration:

Life Science Core: 20 Credits


A grade of B- average or better must be earned in Science courses OR passing score for Maine (150) on the Praxis Subject Test for Biology (test code 5235).

(Note: 8 credits taken in Sciences will count for General Education

Physical Science Concentration Core Total: 32 Credits


In addition to the professional courses required of all secondary education majors, the following courses are required of this specific concentration:

Physical Science Core: 20 Credits


A grade of B- average or better must be earned in Physical Science courses OR passing score for Maine on one of the three Praxis Subject Tests for Physical Science: 

  • Chemistry (minimum score 151) test code 5245

  • Physics (minimum score 141) test code 5265 OR

  • General Science (minimum score 153) test code 5435

 (Note: 8 credits taken in Sciences will count for General Education requirements)

English Writing Concentration Core Total: 36 Credits


In addition to the professional courses required of all secondary education majors, the following courses are required of this specific concentration:

English Core: 21 Credits


A grade of B- average or better must be earned in English courses OR passing score for Maine (167) on the Praxis Subject Test for English (test code 5038).

(Note: 6 credits taken in English will count for General Education requirements. 3 credits count towards General Education Humanities requirement and 3 credits count towards General Education Advanced Writing requirement)

English Literature Concentration Core Total: 36 Credits


In addition to the professional courses required of all secondary education majors, the following courses are required of this specific concentration:

English Core: 21 Credits


A grade of B- average or better must be earned in English courses OR passing score for Maine (167) on the Praxis Subject Test for English (test code 5038).

(Note: 6 credits taken in English will count for General Education requirements. 3 credits count towards General Education Humanities requirement and 3 credits count towards General Education Advanced Writing requirement)

Other Requirements


General Education Requirements


For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements  in the Academic Programs section of this catalog

Additional Requirements:


Fingerprinting and Background Check

Students entering ALL UMF Teacher Education programs (ECH, ECS, ELE, SEC/Middle, SED, WLK-12, School Health, and School Health-PE) must be fingerprinted and have a Criminal History Record Check prior to their first practicum.

 

Minimum Total Credits for The Degree: 120


Candidacy, Student Teaching, & Graduation Requirements


Candidacy

Students are eligible to apply for Candidacy upon the completion of the Candidacy requirements. Only students who have been approved for Candidacy are eligible to continue in their professional education program. Candidacy requirements are:

  • Completion of the Candidacy application
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.750 or higher
  • Grade of B- or better in all professional education courses. A student may have one exemption, although the student must earn a minimum grade of C- in that particular course. Practicum courses are not eligible for exemption.
  • Grade of C or better in English 100 
  • Successful completion of practicum/practica with a grade of B- or higher
  • Successful completion of the Teacher Candidate Dispositions and Professional Expectations Assessment

Student Teaching

Prior to beginning student teaching, students must meet these criteria:

  • Complete all required professional education courses with a grade of B- or higher. A student may have received one exemption for extenuating circumstances. Practicum courses cannot be considered for this exemption.
  • Achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.750 or higher

Graduation

Students must have grades of B- or higher in all their professional education courses, with the possibility of one exemption for extenuating circumstances (although the student must earn a minimum grade of C- in that particular course), while attaining an accumulative GPA of 2.750 or higher to graduate. Practicum courses cannot be considered for this exemption.

Learning Goals and Assessment


Learner Development

Standard 1.) 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 2.) 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 or her full potential.

Standard 3.) 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.

Content

Standard 4.) 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 5.) 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.

Instructional Practice

Standard 6.) 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 7.) 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 8.) 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.

Professional Responsibility

Standard 9.) 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 10.) 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.

Technology

Standard 11.) Technology Standards for Educators:

Educators model and apply the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards for Educators as they leverage technology to explore best practices and evolving pedagogies to enrich professional practices, and support and deepen student learning.

Assessment Criteria

Within the context of each program, candidates are evaluated based on important knowledge, skills and dispositions in the areas of:

  • Content Knowledge
  • Effective Planning
  • P-12 Learning
  • Diversity
  • Dispositions
  • Technology
  • Curriculum Planning, Instruction, and Assessment as demonstrated in Student Teaching or Internship
  • Achievement of Standards

All teacher education candidates must demonstrate that they meet Maine’s Standards for Initial Teacher Certification.

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