Certification

Certification is offered by the Department of Education in early childhood, elementary, secondary and ESOL programs. ESOL certification is available only at the graduate level.

All programs are required to meet the standards set by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Teacher candidates who complete an approved sequence are eligible for certification in more than 40 states. In addition, there is a continuing analysis of all programs to determine whether modifications are necessary to improve their quality and efficiency. When a standard is changed, a requirement is added or a modification is made after the publication of the catalog, a change in one, or all of our programs, may be necessary although it does not appear in the catalog. Changes of this type will be made to the program descriptions on the Web site of the Department of Education as soon as possible. Please check the Web site www.umbc.edu/education periodically for program changes or see an advisor.

Academic Advising

All teacher candidates will have two advisors, an education advisor and a major advisor. Completing the teacher education certification sequence of courses requires a thoughtful organization of the student’s coursework and other academic requirements; therefore, early and continuing advising is necessary. Prospective teacher candidates should seek advisement early in the freshman year so they can begin taking courses that meet both general education requirements and the requirements of teacher certification.

For students who decide to teach in the sophomore or junior year, a program can be developed to accommodate their specific needs. Transfer students should arrange for advising immediately at the time of transfer by contacting an advisor in the Department of Education. They also should arrange for advisement in their major program. All teacher candidates must meet with an advisor each semester to review their progress and to receive permission to take subsequent courses. Advisors are always available for additional guidance when teacher candidates have questions or concerns.

Admission Requirements

Teacher candidates are required to pass the prescribed tests and attain an overall GPA of 2.75 before being admitted to the Department of Education.

They must have an overall GPA of 3.0 before beginning their clinical practice (internship).

Teacher Licensure

The Maryland State Department of Education is responsible for licensing teachers. To be recommended to the Maryland State Department of Education for licensure by the UMBC Department of Education, teacher candidates must successfully complete their certification program and pass the Praxis II tests specified for their area of certification. A standard professional certificate will then be issued upon the request of the candidate.

Teacher Education Programs

Undergraduate certification programs are available in early childhood education (pre-K to grade 3), elementary education (grades 1 to 8) and secondary education (grades 7 to 12). Secondary certification programs include English, social studies, mathematics, science, art, music, dance, theatre and foreign language. All teacher education programs require the completion of an academic major. During their first advisement session, all teacher candidates will be informed of the choices of major that are appropriate for their area of certification.

Early childhood teacher candidates may select any major that meets their intellectual interest. Elementary teacher candidates’ choices of major include English, American studies, Africana studies, political science, geography, history, mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, a foreign language or interdisciplinary studies. Secondary-teacher candidates must major in the content area they intend to teach.

Early-Childhood Education

EDUC 446
Processes and Acquisition of Reading in Early Childhood [3]
EDUC 442
Process Seminar in ECE Creative Media [1]
EDUC 439
Observation and Assessment in ECE [3]
EDUC 440
Field Experience in ECE [2]
EDUC 441
Children’s Literature and Other Materials for Literacy Development [3]
EDUC 444
Teaching of Problem-Solving and Thinking Skills in ECE [3]
EDUC 445
Field Experience in ECE [2]
EDUC 443
Process Seminar in ECE Math-Science [2]
EDUC 447
Teaching of Reading in ECE [3]
EDUC 448
Field Experience in ECE [2]
EDUC 419
Assessment of Reading Instruction [3]
EDUC 451
Internship Seminar in ECE [3]
EDUC 450
Internship in ECE [10]
EDUC 424
Issues in Early-Childhood Education [1]

A. Fine Arts/Literature (6 credits)

Courses in art, dance, music, film/video, theatre or literature, with the stipulation that no more than three credits be in literature.

B. Social Studies (6 credits)

Courses in the general areas of contemporary world culture and American culture. (Consult advisor in education department for recommended courses.)

C. Psychology (6 credits)

PSYC 100, 200 or a course in child psychology.

D. Mathematics and Science (11 credits)

Science 100 or other environmental or earth science are highly recommended. Math 131 and 132 are required.

Elementary Education

Professional Courses

EDUC 310
Inquiry into Education [3]
EDUC 311
Psychological Foundations of Education [3]
EDUC 412
Analysis of Teaching and Learning [3]
EDUC 417
Processes and Acquisition of Reading [3]
EDUC 418
Instruction of Reading [3]
EDUC 419
Assessment of Reading Instruction [3]
EDUC 420
Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School [3]
EDUC 421
Teaching Science in the Elementary School [3]
EDUC 422
Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School [3]
EDUC 388
Inclusion and Instruction [3]
EDUC 416
Materials for Reading Instruction [3]
EDUC 452
Internship in Elementary Education [10]
EDUC 453
Internship Seminar for Elementary Education [2]

Fine Arts/Literature [6]
Courses in art, dance, music, film/video, theatre or literature, with the stipulation that no more than three credits be in literature.

Mathematics [8]

MATH 131
Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I [4]
MATH 132
Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II [4]

STAT 121
Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences [4]
Note: While not required, STAT 121 is strongly recommended for all elementary education students.

Psychology [4]

PSYC 100
Introduction to Psychology

Science [7]
At least one course in the biological sciences and one course in a physical science. Lab experience in one science is required.

Social Science [6]
Psychology courses may not be used to satisfy this requirement. (Consult advisor in the education department for recommended courses.)

Secondary Education

EDUC 310
Inquiry into Education [3]
EDUC 311
Psychological Foundations of Education [3]
EDUC 412
Analysis of Teaching and Learning [3]
EDUC 4XX
Teaching methods in candidate’s content area [3]
EDUC 388
Inclusion and Instruction [3]
EDUC 410
Reading in a Content Area I [3]
EDUC 411
Reading in a Content Area II [3]
EDUC 456
Internship in Secondary Education[10]
EDUC 457
Internship Seminar for Secondary Education [2]

A. Fine Arts/Literature [6]

Courses in art, dance, music, film/video, theatre or literature, with the stipulation that no more than three credits be in literature.

B. Psychology

PSYC 100
Introduction to Psychology

C. Social Science [6]

Professional Development Schools

Partnerships with many schools and school districts offer students opportunities to integrate theory and practice and to learn from experienced teachers and other professionals in classrooms and other school-based settings. All teacher candidates are required to complete a school-based experience of at least 100 days over two semesters. The first semester will include a field experience related to methods courses or the seminar. This will be followed by a full semester of clinical practice (internship).

Student Organizations

Future Educators

Chi Psi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi