Elementary Education with Certification

Degree

Bachelor of Science with a major in Elementary Education with Certification
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
School of Education

Contact

Lane W. Clarke, Ed.D.
Academic Director, School of Education
lclarke1@une.edu

 

Mission

The mission of the School of Education is to prepare lifelong reflective educators who exhibit flexibility, compassion, collaboration, and student-centered pedagogy knowledge and skills.

The School of Education offers strong experiential, student-centered, and responsive program preparing students to develop:

  • Knowledge of content and instructional practice
  • Professional dispositions
  • Pedagogical skills

Our vision is to prepare future educators to have an exponential impact on the lives of their students and the broader community.

The core values that drive the School of Education and guide our ethos, principles, and standards are:

  • Knowledgeable Professionals
  • Collaborative Practitioners
  • Inclusive and Culturally Competent Educators
  • Reflective Life-Long Learners

Major Description

Students complete a four (4)-year curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Elementary Education and earn Maine certification. ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ has reciprocity with the majority of states in the United States including New England.

Curricular Requirements

CAS Core CurriculumCredits
Total Credits42–43
Program Required CoursesCredits
EDU 105 – Exploring Teaching3
EDU 110 – Supporting 21st Century Learning Through Technology3
EDU 202 – Curriculum & Assessment3
EDU 206 – Foundations of Literacy3
EDU 261 – Teaching Social Studies: K-83
EDU 267 – Teaching Science: K-83
EDU 373 – Teaching Mathematics: K-83
EDU 386 – Literacy Methods: K-8 Reading3
EDU 387 – Literacy Methods K-8 Writing3
EDU 385 – Diversity Issues in Schools3
EDU 485 – Elementary Practicum3
EDU 491 – Student Teaching Internship and Seminar12
SPE 220 – Exceptionalities in the Classroom3
SPE 405 – Inclusive Methods and Data-Based Decision Making3
Total Credits51
Open Electives or Physical Education Concentration*6–23
Open Electives (as needed to reach 120 credits)Variable
Minimum Total Required Credits120

*Students pursuing the Physical Education Concentration should see the Concentration Tab below for the course list.

This program requires an overall minimum 2.5 GPA in the major.

FIELD EXPERIENCE

The faculty in the School of Education is committed to ongoing and frequent observation and involvement in schools. The teacher education programs at UNE have a specific competency-based focus to meet the Maine standards for teacher certification. All students engaged in teacher preparation will spend time in a field setting in each of the semesters for which they are registered for professional education courses. Involvement in the schools will be connected to specific, course-related tasks (e.g., observation, teaching lessons, conducting experiments, administering assessments, etc.). Transportation to and from schools is the responsibility of the student.

ADVANCED STANDING

All students in education certification programs must apply for admission to Advanced Standing when they have completed approximately sixty (60) credit hours and completed at least three (3) education courses. To apply for Advanced Standing, students must develop a portfolio demonstrating how they have met proficiency in the following areas: teaching skills, knowledge, and disposition aligned with the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards; basic academic skills; and professional skills. This portfolio is evaluated by a committee of education faculty and a pass/fail determination is made based on a holistic rubric.

Students not meeting the Advanced Standing criteria do not remain enrolled in a certification program and MUST change their major to a non-certification major. Students can reapply for Advanced Standing upon completion of each additional semester up until their second to last semester (i.e., students graduating in Spring must meet advanced standing by the beginning of the previous Fall semester).

STUDENT TEACHING

Without specific permission from the School of Education Academic Director, courses may not be taken during the internship semester, so all required coursework must be completed the semester prior to the internship. Admission to the internship is not guaranteed and students must have reached Advanced Standing to apply.

The selection of individual internship sites will be made by the Certification and Placement Officer. Geographical location relative to ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ is a consideration. ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ has a collaborative relationship with many districts and selects both schools and teachers based on their interest in and ability to assist interns in demonstrating mastery of the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards. Placement in an internship is not guaranteed. The School of Education reserves the right to deny requests for courtesy internship placement for reasons it deems appropriate or necessary. The University, at its discretion, will not place students in internship settings (1) where an intern's children or relatives are enrolled, or (2) where a spouse or relative of an intern is currently employed. The School of Education, through its Certification and Placement Officer, will make a good-faith effort to negotiate an appropriate placement. Schools have the right to refuse placement requests. The fifteen (15)-week student teaching experience must be done in a local Maine Public School that is in an established internship protocol with the ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ. Students may not be permitted to accept a contracted teaching position (e.g., long-term substituting, yearlong internship) before completing at least half a semester of student teaching internship. However, student teaching interns may be permitted to sub on a day-to-day basis for their classroom teacher.

Professional Educator Review Board

All students enrolled in the internship must demonstrate their teaching competence with respect to Maine Common Core Teaching Standards before the Professional Educator Review Board (PERB). The Board is comprised of professional educators from area schools as well as ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ faculty. Students are required to develop a presentation reflecting their proficiency in meeting these state standards and present and defend the presentation in front of the Board. Passing PERB is a requirement for completion of the certification program and subsequently being recommended to the Maine State Department of Education for teacher licensure.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of their bachelor's degree, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate mastery of the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards
  • Demonstrate professionalism through accountability and engagement
  • Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats
  • Demonstrate appropriate dispositions as defined by professional expectations

Concentrations

The Physical Education Concentration includes twenty-five (25) credits offered through the Exercise and Sport Performance Department. This twenty-five (25)-credit concentration needs to be added to either an Elementary or Middle and Secondary Education Major.

To complete this concentration a student can major in Elementary Education with an academic discipline concentration and then add the twenty-five (25)-credit concentration enabling the student to be certified in Elementary Education and get a Conditional Certification in Physical Education. Please note, Physical Education is not a stand-alone concentration.

Elementary Education Certification with Physical Education Concentration Curricular Requirements

Physical Education Concentration Required CoursesCredits
ATC 306 – Psychology of Sport and Exercise3
BIO 208/208L – Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology I w/ Lab4
EXS 180 – Motor Learning and Performance3
EXS 205 – Sports Youth Physiology3
EXS 310 – Kinesiology and Biomechanics3
EXS 312 – Foundations of Coaching3
EXS 330/330L – Fitness Evaluation Prescription w/Lab3
EXS 340 – Concepts of Strength and Conditioning3
Total Credits25

CONCENTRATION IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Maine Certification Area: 300 Math (MAT)

Concentration CoursesCredits
MAT 150 – Statistics for Life Sciences3
MAT 190 – Calculus I4
MAT 195 – Calculus II4
MAT 212 – Discrete Mathematics3
MAT 220 – Linear Algebra3
MAT 240 – Geometry3
MAT 321 – Applied Statistics I3
One (1) MAT course at 200-level or above3–4
Total Credits26–27

CONCENTRATION IN Biology

Maine Certification Area: 395 Life Science (BIO, ENV, MAR)

Concentration CoursesCredits
BIO 105/105L – Biology I: Introduction to Ecology and Evolution w/Lab4
BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology w/Lab4
BIO 200/200L/200S – Genetics w/Lab and Recitation or BIO 207 – Organismal Genetics4–5
One (1) 400-level or above BIO Elective Course3–4
One (1) Physiology topic area course*3–4
One (1) Ecology topic area course*3–4
One (1) Organismal topic area course*3–4
Total Credits24–29

*See Biology Curricular Requirements

CONCENTRATION IN English

Maine Certification Area: 100 ENG/LA (ENG)

Concentration CoursesCredits
ENG 115 – Classics of British Literature3
ENG 116 – Classics of British Literature II3
ENG 200 – US Literature I: Writing, Revolution and Resistance3
ENG 201 – US Literature II: Cultural Diversity and Common Identity3
ENG 206 – Introduction to Literary Theory3
ENG 334 – Methods of Literary and Cultural Criticism3
Two (2) Diversity and Global Literature Electives*6
Total Credits24

*See a list of elective options

CONCENTRATION IN Environmental Science

Maine Certification Area: 395 Life Science (BIO, ENV, MAR)

Concentration CoursesCredits
BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular w/Lab4
ENV 220/220L – Conservation and Preservation w/Lab5
Four (4) Credits of ENV or MAR Electives4
Twelve (12) Credits of 300-level or above ENV Elective Courses12
Total Credits25

CONCENTRATION IN History

Maine Certification Area: 200 Social Studies (GEOG, GIS, ECO, POL)

Concentration CoursesCredits
HIS 222 – US History I3
HIS 223 – US History II3
Five (5) HIS Electives*15
Total Credits21

*HIS 290 – Historical Research Methods & Writing Recommended

CONCENTRATION IN Marine Science

Maine Certification Area: 395 Life Science (BIO, ENV, MAR)

Concentration CoursesCredits
MAR 105/105L – Evolution/Ecology of Marine Organisms w/Lab4
MAR 106/106L – Cellular/Molecular Biology of Marine Organisms w/Lab4
MAR 250/250L – Marine Biology w/Lab4
MAR 270/270L – Oceanography w/Lab4
Two (2) MAR Elective Organismal Biology Area Courses*6–8
One (1) Non-Organismal Marine Science Course*3–4
Total Credits25–28

*See a list of marine science elective options

CONCENTRATION IN Physical Science – Chemistry Track

Maine Certification Area: 350 Physical Science (CHE, PHY)

Concentration CoursesCredits
CHE 110/110L – General Chemistry I w/Lab4
CHE 111/111L – General Chemistry II w/Lab4
CHE 210/210L/210S Organic Chemistry I w/Lab and LabLecture5
CHE 307/307L – Quantitative Analysis w/Lab or CHE 310/310L – Fundamentals of Biochemistry w/Lab4–5
PHY 110 – General Physics I or PHY 210 – University Physics I4
PHY 111 – General Physics II or PHY 211 – University Physics II4
Total Credits25–26

CONCENTRATION IN Physical Science – Physics Track

Maine Certification Area: 350 Physical Science (CHE, PHY)

Concentration CoursesCredits
CHE 110/110L – General Chemistry I w/Lab4
CHE 111/111L – General Chemistry II w/Lab4
PHY 110 – General Physics I or PHY 210 – University Physics I4
PHY 111 – General Physics II or PHY 211 – University Physics II4
PHY 208 – Energy and Climate Change3
PHY 305 – Revolutions of 20th Century Physics3
PHY 310 – Biophysics Structure and Motion or PHY 320 – Medical Physics3
Total Credits25

CONCENTRATION IN Physical Science – Multi-Disciplinary Track

Maine Certification Area: 350 Physical Science (CHE, PHY)

Concentration CoursesCredits
CHE 110/110L – General Chemistry I w/Lab4
CHE 111/111L – General Chemistry II w/Lab4
CHE 210/210L/210S Organic Chemistry I w/Lab and LabLecture5
MAR 270/270L – Oceanography w/Lab4
MAR 366 – Adv Oceanography I: Geological/Biological3
PHY 110 – General Physics I or PHY 210 – University Physics I4
PHY 111 – General Physics II or PHY 211 – University Physics II4
PHY 305 – Revolutions of 20th Century Physics3
Total Credits31

Transfer Credit

Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at UNE in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives.

All courses completed must be no older than five (5) years. Other restrictions apply.

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Admissions

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Completion Requirements

All coursework, including the internship, should be completed within a five (5)-year time frame. A delay beyond the five (5) years might warrant the retaking of coursework. Furthermore, if state certification requirements change prior to your completion even within the five (5)-year timeframe, those changes must be incorporated into a revised program plan, in order to meet state certification regulations.

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This catalog outlines the academic programs, degree criteria, policies, and events of the ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ for the 2024–2025 academic year and serves as the official guide for academic and program requirements for students enrolling at the University during the Summer of 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 semesters.

The information provided is accurate as of its publication date on April 26, 2024.
The ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ reserves the right to modify its programs, calendar, or academic schedule as deemed necessary or beneficial. This includes alterations to course content, class rescheduling, cancellations, or any other academic adjustments. Changes will be communicated as promptly as possible.

While students may receive guidance from academic advisors or program directors, they remain responsible for fulfilling the requirements outlined in the catalog relevant to their enrollment year and for staying informed about any updates to policies, provisions, or requirements.