Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program

The Teacher Certification Program (TCP) is for individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree and are interested in acquiring elementary/middle or secondary teacher certification. Through course work designed to satisfy department and state requirements, certification in elementary/middle education (K-8), secondary education (7-12 in either life science, physical science, English, history, mathematics), or art education (K-12) can be obtained.  All coursework must be completed at the graduate level (EDU 500 - 600).  After completion of this certification program, a student is eligible to enroll in the Master of Science in Education degree program with a concentration in Teaching Methodology.  This program builds on the Teacher Certification Program and, with the addition of 5 online core courses (15 credits), one may earn a Master of Science in Education degree. 

Prior to admittance into the Teacher Certification Program a student can take courses as a continuing education student. Continuing education (CE) students may enroll in one semester with a limit of two courses (6 credit hours).  One of those courses must be EDU 502 Curriculum Theory and Design.  To enroll in any more courses for subsequent semesters, CE students must be admitted into the TCP.

The Education Certification Programs are approved by the Maine Department of Education and meet documented state standards.  Please note that state requirements can change over time, which can affect curriculum and test requirements for students. Please check with your education advisor to obtain any updates. 

Field Experience

The faculty in the Department of Education is committed to providing students with ongoing and frequent observation and involvement in schools. The teacher education programs at UNE have a specific, competency-based focus to meet the InTASC standards for teacher certification. All students engaged in the TCP will spend time in a field setting during 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., conducting observations, teaching lessons, administering assessments, etc.)  Transportation to and from fieldwork sites is the responsibility of the student. A minimum of 15 hours of field experience per semester is required.

Internship

Courses may not be taken during the internship semester. Therefore, all required coursework must be completed by the end of the semester prior to start of the internship. Note: There is one exception for secondary and art certification students: EDU 546, a 1-credit technology module, is part of the internship semester. Admission to the internship is not guaranteed (see section on “Admission Requirements and Successful Progression in the Program”). In addition, the student should have each of the following:

1. Sufficient knowledge regarding the components of effective instruction.
2. Sufficient knowledge of appropriate grade-level content and teaching methods.
3. Sufficient knowledge of the developmental needs of students.
4. Sufficient knowledge of how to establish and maintain effective cooperative relationships with school personnel, students, and parents.
5. Understanding of and empathy for working with students.
6. No serious reservations identified on the Professional Performance Student Self-Assessment and Review.

The selection of individual internship sites will be made by the Certification and Placement Officer. Geographical location relative to UNE is a consideration. UNE has a collaborative relationship with many districts and selects schools and teachers based on their interest in and ability to assist interns in demonstrating mastery of the InTASC  standards. Placement in an internship is not guaranteed. The Department 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 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.

Professional Educator Review Board (PERB)

All students enrolled in the internship must demonstrate their teaching competence to the Professional Educator Review Board (PERB) with respect to the InTASC standards. This board is comprised of professional educators from area schools, as well as UNE faculty. Students are required to develop a portfolio that attests to their proficiency in meeting the InTASC standards; they must present and defend their portfolio in front of the PERB. Receiving a passing evaluation from the PERB is a requirement for completion of all the certification programs and, subsequently, being recommended to the Maine State Department of Education for teacher licensure.

Students in the Teacher Certification Program must maintain a 2.5 grade point average in order to continue in the program.  If a student does not pass an education course with a C or better, they are eligible to retake the course only once.  Grade point averages will be calculated using only courses taken at UNE (the cumulative grade point average) and using accepted transfer courses as meeting professional program requirements but will not be figured into the GPA.

All students must show evidence of passing Praxis II before the internship application deadline, which is February 1st for a Fall internship and October 1st for a Spring internship.

Students may obtain Praxis I registration information and Praxis II registration information from the Department of Education office or from the Educational Testing Service website: www.ets.org.

In addition to these achievement requirements, students admitted to UNE's teacher certification programs are assessed periodically for the purpose of determining their professionalism and suitability for teaching.  Students complete self-assessment questionnaires in each professional education course, and these are reviewed by faculty.  If serious reservations arise in two or more of the assessments, a committee will convene to determine a student's continuance in the program.  Finally, students must pass the Professional Education Review Board (referenced later in this section of the catalog) at which competency in the InTASC standards must be demonstrated.

Course Withdrawal Policy

In the fall, spring, and summer semesters, a student may withdraw from a course without academic penalty with a grade of W at any time during the first two-thirds of the semester as specified in the current academic calendar. If withdrawal occurs after that date, the grade of WP (withdrew passing) or WF (withdrew failing) will be entered. The grade of WF is computed in the grade point average.

Incomplete Policy

An Incomplete (I) grade may be given by the instructor to a student, who is doing passing work in a course, but who, for reasons beyond his/her control, is not able to complete the work on time. The Incomplete grade must be changed within the time limit determined by the instructor and may not extend beyond six weeks following the end of the semester or 30 days following the end of an eight-week session. Until changed, the Incomplete grade defers computation of credits and grade points for the course to which it is assigned. Failure to complete the work before the deadline date, or within the time imposed by the instructor, results in the assignment of an administrative F grade for the course. Once an Incomplete grade is removed, academic standing will be updated according to dean's list, good standing or probationary standards.

Completion Requirements

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

Maine Department of Education Chapter 114

Standard One: 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 Two: 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/her full potential.

Standard Three:  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.

Standard Four:  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 Five:  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.

Standard Six:  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 Seven:  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 Eight:  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.

Standard Nine:  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 Ten:  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.

Standard Eleven:   Technology Standards for Teachers -  (NETS.T)

Effective teachers model and apply the National Educational Technology Standards for   Students   (NETS.S)   as   they   design,   implement,   and   assess   learning experiences  to  engage  students  and  improve  learning;  enrich  professional practice;   and   provide   positive   models   for   students,   colleagues,   and   the community. All teachers will meet the following standards and performance indicators. 

The Teacher Certification program is for individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree and are interested in a career in teaching. Certification may be obtained in elementary/middle education (K-8), secondary education (7-12) or art education (K-12). Secondary certification areas are: life science, physical science, social studies, English or mathematics.

After completion of this certification program, a student is eligible to enroll in the Master of Science in Education degree program with a concentration in Teaching Methodology (MSM). The MSM is available only to UNE students who have completed the Teacher Certification Program. This program is a 30 credit master’s degree encompassing 15 graduate credits from the Teacher Certification Program (TCP) and an additional 15 credits online that have been designated to satisfy Department and state requirements for certification in areas of elementary education (K-8), secondary education (7-12), or art education (K-12). The remaining 15 credits will be completed following initial teaching certification. These credits are from a totally online graduate program with in depth study in the areas of professional learning communities, differentiation, motivation and action research.

ACADEMIC PREREQUISITES    

• Bachelor’s degree from a US regionally accredited undergraduate institution
• Submit official report of passing scores on all sections of the PRAXIS I.
• Submit official copy of Education Tech III certification from the State of Maine or satisfy the Maine Department of Education student security clearance.  Documentation of this security clearance must be submitted as a part of the application.  The procedure for meeting security clearance requirements is available from the Maine Department of Education

​NOTE:  UNE does not accept students for student teaching only, regardless of whether a state transcript analysis shows that all other academic and professional education requirements have been satisfied

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admission are submitted through the UNE online application.  Submission of the online application will include a personal statement, names and email addresses of three reference letter writers
• Applications for new students will be accepted for the summer, fall, and spring terms. 
• Students may enroll in no more than two (2) TCP courses (a maximum of 6 credits) through the Office of Continuing Education before applying to the program.  EDU 502 must be one of the two initial TCP courses.  Students do need to understand that registering for courses as a non-matriculated student will prohibit the student from enrolling in the same semester as a matriculated student.  Also, students are not eligible for financial aid to cover the cost of coursework completed as a non-matriculated students
• Applicants must submit the following to the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions, 716 Stevens Avenue, Portland, ME, 04103
  • Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended
  • Official report of PRAXIS I scores (Praxis II report of scores are required for students applying for secondary education certification who do not have a minimum GPA of 2.5)
  • Official copy of Education Tech III certification or approval credential from the State of Maine Department of Education
• Completed applications submitted and completed by the deadline, will be considered by the Admissions Committee.  Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline for one term will be reviewed on a space available basis; or for admissions into the next available term.
• International students and students with international degrees must have transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution.  See International Admissions. 
• All applicants to UNE must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university.  UNE accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Admissions.  If applicable, the TOEFL requirement must be completed and score received by the application deadline 

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the TCP Website.

policy exceptions

The Teacher Certification program and the TCP Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

TRANSFER CREDIT

• Individuals who have full acceptance in the Teaching Certification Program can transfer up to, but no more than (6) education credits from other universities.
• In-service or workshop-type courses that do not carry college credit will not be accepted for transfer equivalency.
• No courses of any kind will be accepted from other institutions after your acceptance into the program at UNE without a course equivalency granted prior to the course’s being taken.

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.

FINANCIAL AID

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office. Call 207-602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.