About our Undergraduate Education Programs
As an undergraduate in one of our education programs, you prepare for a career as a teacher. You gain important pedagogical knowledge, practice methods that yield real results with students, and learn to inspire others with your creativity and passion.
The knowledge you gain with us is the foundation upon which you may build a lifetime’s worth of learning. Our programs are supportive yet challenging, structured yet flexible, and organized yet creative. The learning you do is personal and experiential as you develop competencies in the ten standards for Maine teacher certification and demonstrate the ability to help students meet their academic standards.
We offer four undergraduate majors and minors in Education and Special Education.
B.S. in Elementary Education with Certification
Prepare for a career in elementary education by completing this four-year program. Upon graduation, you hold both a B.S. in Elementary Education with Certification and State of Maine teacher certification (K-8). This certification is reciprocal in Northern New England and beyond.
The program includes content rich in curriculum theory, assessment, literacy, educational psychology, and classroom management, using technology in the classroom as well as courses in teaching the various subject areas included in elementary curricula. It also requires that you complete an elementary practicum and internship.
The Elementary/Middle major is also only a 48-credit major which gives you an opportunity to pursue other passions through a double major, minors, study abroad, or internships.
B.S. in Middle and Secondary Education with Certification
If you are a major in any other program at UNE you may consult with an advisor in an education program and then begin taking the courses necessary to earn State of Maine secondary teacher certification (7-12) under the certification categories of life science, physical science, English, social studies or mathematics.
The program includes content rich in curriculum theory, assessment, literacy, educational psychology, and classroom management, using technology in the classroom as well as courses in teaching the various subject areas included in secondary curricula. It also requires that you complete a secondary practicum and internship.
Explore the B.S. in Middle and Secondary Education with Certification
B.A. in Art Education
The School of Professional Programs collaborates with the School of Arts and Humanities to offer a B.A. in Art Education. Guided by scholars and nationally renowned artists, you study the theory and practice of education and learn strategies to employ as a visual arts teacher at the elementary or secondary level (K-12).
B.S. in Educational Studies
If you are interested in studying educational theory and teaching skills, but don’t plan to practice in a K-12 setting, this program provides you with a bachelor's degree in Education without leading to certification. You follow much of the Elementary Education curriculum but instead of the teaching internship, you substitute an internship in a setting outside of a school system.
The College of Arts and Sciences Internship Office guides you in researching, applying for and completing the internship. As an Educational Studies major, you might intern at a charter or alternative school, holistic learning classroom, education company, science center, state or national park education program, youth camp, museum, early childhood center, tutoring center, or government office.
B.S. in Special Education
As a Special Education major at UNE, you will learn evidence-based strategies and discover how to put your knowledge into practice in a successful career as a special education teacher. Through UNE's flexible curriculum, the development of critical thinking skills, and an abundance of real-world experience with students in a broad array of educational settings, you’ll graduate with a Special Education teaching certification in hand, experience under your belt, and a desire to make a difference in your heart.
Minors
Education
Many career paths outside of traditional school settings require employees to train or instruct others. An Education minor provides you with effective teaching strategies that might be employed in such diverse professional settings as museums, nonprofit and for-profit businesses and private educational settings. You explore the field of education, focusing on principles of learning applicable to both adults and children.
View the Minor in Education Curriculum
Special Education
This minor will help prepare you to support individuals of all abilities through hands-on experiences and up-to-date knowledge and instruction from the field of special education. You will be required to complete field work hours in a classroom or other relevant settings and will be expected to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned to real world settings. Courses cover a wide breadth of knowledge including disabilities in the general education classroom, psychology, disability studies, and strategies to teach skills.
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Apply Now or Request Information
Apply online for admission to one of our undergraduate Education programs or request more information about a program.