General Program Requirements
The initial admission of students to the undergraduate programs in the Department of Education and Teacher Education is based upon the general admission requirements of the University. The program requirements increase as students move through their teacher education program. The only teacher education program housed in the Department of Education is Special Education. However, all 12 undergraduate teacher education programs (i.e., Agriculture, Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, English, Family and Consumer Sciences, Mathematics, Music, Social Studies, Special Education, and Technology) are administered in collaboration with the Department of Education.
The undergraduate teacher education programs lead to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in a variety of areas. The course of study prepares students to become qualified teachers, and to assume the complex role of a teacher in the classrooms of the twenty-first century. The primary goal of the undergraduate teacher education program is to ensure success within the teaching profession by: 1) providing a comprehensive knowledge base that ensures competency in the subject matter and in the processes of education; and 2) providing the opportunity to develop sophisticated clinical skills to work with a diverse population. This program reflects current research-based trends in the field of education and emphasizes excellence in both the theoretical and applied domains.
Departmental and Teacher Education Requirements
The course of study prescribed for all Education majors (SPECIALTY AND SECONDARY) is composed of four major phases. These four (4) phases of study constitute the standardized curriculum that all Education majors should complete. The teacher education program includes the following designated phases of study. Each program has an approved scope and sequence of courses listed in the most current edition of the Teacher Education Handbook, found on the departmental website (www.umes.edu/Education) and in the UMES Undergraduate Catalog.
Phase One
General Education Requirements
The student completes the general education requirements established by the University. These courses are usually taken during the first two years of enrollment. All students at UMES are expected to complete a common body of academic course work. Teacher Education majors should consult their academic advisors and the UMES Undergraduate Catalog for the specific courses in their majors. TOTAL NUMBER OF SEMESTER HOURS REQUIRED: 44 Hours.
Phase Two
Professional Education Foundation
A series of core education courses and integrated clinical experiences, are carefully designed to provide all Education majors with a critical foundation of knowledge. This knowledge-base is an essential prerequisite to advanced study in the specialization phase. All Education majors are required to complete this standardized core curriculum. Additional courses may be required by specific programs. A total of 15 credits is required. Students must also pass a criminal background check at this phase in the program and purchase the Unit’s electronic assessment system. Professional Education courses in phases two, three, and four may be repeated only once.
Phase Three
MAJOR/SPECIALIZATION FOUNDATION - Only students who have formally advanced to Teacher Candidate status are eligible to enroll in the major/specialization phase. Standards have been established for advancement and are published by the Department of Education in the Teacher Education Handbook. Students are selectively admitted to this phase of the program. They must have a grade point average of 3.0 and passing PRAXIS Core scores (or passing scores on other Maryland State approved tests) for program entry, in addition to meeting other requirements. Students must complete and submit a Teacher Education Application which can be obtained online or from the Department of Education.
In this phase of study, each student must complete the specific courses required in their major/specialization area. This third phase of study and preparation includes coursework and integrated field work in the student’s major area of specialization or concentration. The courses which comprise the specialization phase organize and structure an in-depth study of a content/specialty area. Prospective teachers are thoroughly trained in both the content area and effective instructional delivery. Once admitted to Teacher Education, teacher candidates must maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 as well as a minimum 3.0 grade point average in their major, with no grade of “D” or lower in the major or in education courses.
The curriculum in this phase of study is established jointly by the Department of Education and the respective academic department. The number of required semester hours in the specialization phase of the Teacher Education program will vary depending on the content area. A total of 18 semester hours is required in specialization courses for specialty majors. A total of 39 semester hours is required for specialization courses for Special Education majors. These requirements are listed in the Teacher Education Handbook.
Common Required Specialization Courses for Specialty
(Except Special Education Majors)1
Note: EDCI 306 is also required for Art, English, Music, and Social Studies.
Common Required Specialization Courses for Special Education Majors
A total of 39 semester hours is required for specialization courses for Special Education Majors. These requirements are listed in the Teacher Education Handbook.
Clinical and Field Experiences
The Department of Education requires a variety of clinical and field experiences during which students work in the field, including a full-time teaching internship. Students must be fully prepared to assume the responsibility associated with these experiences. The clinical and field experiences are a critical part of the teacher preparation programs. The Clinical and Field Experiences Handbook outlines all expectations and requirements. Students who wish to become Teacher Education majors will need to successfully complete a criminal background check prior to any field placements in a school setting.
Phase Four
TEACHING INTERNSHIP (SUPERVISED CLASSROOM TEACHING) - The internship is the culmination of the Teacher Education program. The Teaching Internship consists of two full-time placements in two (2) different classroom settings, in Professional Development Schools. Each setting exposes students to a different age group or level. Students will be assigned to the Teaching Internship based on program requirements and school system availability. In order to be eligible for admission to the Teaching Internship, students must meet the following requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 overall grade point average. Any courses transferred into UMES will be counted as part of the cumulative grade point average.
- Minimum 3.0 grade point average in major.
- Successful completion of the PRAXIS II-Specialty Area Tests. Special Education major must also successfully complete Teaching Reading Elementary Assessment. Students must take and pass the PRAXIS II in their content area before being eligible for their Teaching Internship. Cut-off scores are determined by the Maryland State Department of Education. Registration for the PRAXIS II should be completed as early as possible, but no later than the semester before the Teaching Internship. Passing scores must be submitted to UMES from ETS before the internship begins.
- All courses, with the exception of the Teaching Internship and Senior Seminar must be completed (i.e., no incomplete grades).
- Two recommendations from Teacher Education faculty.
- Completion of the Application for Teaching Internship.
- Interview with faculty that includes review of candidate’s professional dispositions and cultural competencies.
- The Department of Education is committed to providing a quality, supervised internship experience and to providing every student with rich and varied internship options. Every student in a degree-seeking program, who is an Education major, is assigned to an internship on a full-time basis. Students must provide their transportation to all internship and field experience sites. Each student must also attend a 3-4 day workshop in preparation for the internship.
Specialty Education
Art/Music (PreK-12)
Special Education (1-8; 6-12)
Secondary Education
Secondary (7-12)
1Other Specialty courses are required by specific programs
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