Undergraduate Teacher Preparation: Overview
When pursing teaching as an undergraduate at USM, your academic program will consist of
three parts: the USM Core Curriculum, a content major, and professional teacher preparation.
Successful completion of these will fulfill all requirements for teacher certification in Maine.
USM Core Curriculum
The Core curriculum is a set of requirements for all undergraduate students. The Core includes:
An interdisciplinary entry year experience; college writing; cultural interpretation; quantitative
reasoning; creative expression; socio-cultural analysis; science exploration; ethical inquiry,
social responsibility and citizenship, a nine-credit thematic cluster, and a major capstone.
Major
A strength of teacher preparation at USM is that for students graduate with a full degree in a
chosen major. Students select majors that align with subjects taught in classrooms (such as
English, math, science, history). This design assures that students who are going to be teachers
graduate from USM with strong content preparation. The ideal vision is for students to bring
their passion and fascination of a subject to the children in their classrooms.
Professional Teacher Preparation
Another strength of teacher education at USM is that professional courses and experiences are
integrated through out a student’s career at the university. Nearly every education course
includes a field experience where students have the opportunity to observe and apply what they
learn in real educational settings.
The culmination of teacher education pathways at USM is a yearlong sequence that connects
theory and practice. During this year students complete an internship in schools where they
apply their learning in concurrent pedagogical courses. Students also attend a seminar where
they form a community of learners; discuss issues from their practice and the field at large; and
develop their skills as reflective practitioners.
USM is committed to having its students graduate well prepared for their first year of teaching
with a solid academic and pedagogical foundation, both of which serve them in the classroom
and future life endeavors.
Preparation for Elementary and Middle School Teaching
Course Sequence
At this time, there are pathways designed for certification at the K-8 level for English or history
majors. A program for elementary science educators is currently under development.
Year
1
Fall
EYE 108: Culture, Identity and Education
Quantitative Reasoning: Choose from
USM Core options
College Writing: ENG 100
2 courses—major or elective
2
Cluster 1: EDU 305: Foundations of
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
Cultural Interpretation: Choose from Core
2 course- major or elective
3
Cluster 3- SED 420: Multi-tiered Systems
of Educational Support
4 courses- major or electives
Methods of Teaching Reading
Methods of Teaching Eng./Language Arts
Methods of Teaching Mathematics
Methods of Teaching Science
Methods of Teaching Social Studies
4
Spring
EDU 100: Exploring Teaching as a
Profession
Creative Expression: Choose from Core
Socio-Cultural Analysis: HRD 200:
Multicultural Growth and
Development
2 course-major or elective
Cluster 2: SED 335: Students with
Exceptionalities in General
Education
Science w/Lab: Choose from Core
2 courses-major or elective
Ethics- EDU 310: Purpose of Schooling
in a Democracy
4 courses- major or electives
Major capstone
Seminar (year long)
Internship/student teaching (year long)
For those seeking elementary certification, the Core Curriculum allows students to meet the
minimum requirements for distributed credits across the liberal arts (i.e., all students must have
at least 6 credits in English, math, science, and social studies). The following courses are
recommended for non-majors:




English English (6 cr): ENG 120: Introduction to Literature, ENG 305: Rhetoric, Syntax,
and Style
Mathematics (6 cr): MAT 131: Number Systems for Elementary Teachers and MAT 231:
Algebra for Elementary Teachers or MAT 232: Geometry for Elementary Teachers (6
credits)
Science: Students must take one lab science (4 cr) in addition to Science Exploration in
the core (3 cr)
Social Studies (6 cr)- HTY 101 Western Civilization I & HTY 123, United States History
Since 1900
Other Requirements:
 Acceptance into the Teacher Certification Tracks is contingent upon admission to USM
and successful completion of the University’s writing and mathematics proficiency
requirements and fewer than 60 previously earned college credits.
 Students must maintain a high level of academic achievement as follows:
o A grade of C or better in all University Core and major coursework.
o A grade of B or better in all professional education coursework.
o An overall GPA of 3.00 or better.
 Prior to admission to the professional internship year, students must pass the Praxis I and II
exams and demonstrate satisfactory progress toward the State of Maine Core Teaching
Standards.
 As required by partner school districts and prior to the professional internship, students
must be fingerprinted through the State of Maine Department of Education.
Preparation for Middle and High School Teaching
Course Sequence
At this time, there are pathways designed for certification at the 7-12 level for English and
history majors. Spanish, French, and Latin majors can pursue an education concentration that
leads to K-12 certification for teachers of foreign languages. Students interested in teaching
secondary science (life or physical) should pursue a major, as designed, in Biology, Chemistry,
Physics, Environmental Science, or Geo-sciences.
Year
1
Fall
Early Year Experience: EYE 108: Culture,
Identity and Education
Quantitative Reasoning: Choose from
Core
College Writing: ENG 100
2 courses—major or elective
2
Cluster Course 1: EDU 305: Foundations
of Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
Cultural Interpretation: Choose from Core
3 course- major or elective
3
Cluster Course 3- SED 420: Multi-tiered
Systems of Educational Support
4 courses- major or electives
Content methods (3 cr)
4 electives to complete second
certification, deepen content knowledge, or
enhance pedagogy
4
Spring
EDU 100: Exploring Teaching as a
Profession
Creative Expression: Choose from Core
Socio-Cultural Analysis: HRD 200:
Multicultural Growth and
Development
2 course-major or elective
Cluster Course 2: SED 335: Students
with Exceptionalities in General
Education
Science w/Lab: Choose from Core
3 courses-major or elective
Ethics- EDU 310: Purpose of Schooling
in a Democracy
4 courses- major or electives
Major capstone (3 cr)
Seminar (year long) (6 cr)
Internship/student teaching (year long) (6
cr)
 Acceptance into the Teacher Certification Tracks is contingent upon completion of the
University’s writing and mathematics proficiency requirements and fewer than 60
previously earned college credits.
 Students must maintain a high level of academic achievement as follows:
o A grade of C or better in all University Core and major coursework.
o A grade of B or better in all professional education coursework.
o An overall GPA of 3.00 or better.
 Prior to admission to the internship year, students must pass the Praxis I and II exams and
demonstrate satisfactory progress toward the State of Maine Core Teaching Standards.
 As required by partner school districts and prior to the professional internship, students
must be fingerprinted through the State of Maine Department of Education.