Elementary Education with Certification Curricular Requirements

CAS Core Curriculum Credits
Total 42–46
Professional Core Courses Credits
EDU 105 – Exploring Teaching 3
EDU 110 – Supporting 21st Century Learning Through Technology 3
EDU 202 – Curriculum & Assessment 3
EDU 206 – Foundations of Literacy 3
SPE 220 – Exceptionalities in the Classroom 3
EDU 261 – Teaching Social Studies: K-8 3
EDU 267 – Teaching Science: K-8 3
EDU 373 – Teaching Mathematics: K-8 3
EDU 386 – Literacy Methods: K-8 Reading 3
EDU 387 – Literacy Methods K-8 Writing 3
EDU 385 – Diversity Issues in Schools 3
SPE 405 – Inclusive Methods and Data-Based Decision Making 3
EDU 485 – Elementary Practicum 3
EDU 491 – Student Teaching Internship and Seminar 12
Total Professional Core Credits 51
Electives or Physical Education Concentration* 6–23
Electives to get to 120 credits* Variable
Minimum Required Total Credits 120–122

*You must take a minimum of 6 credits of ENG, MAT, HIS/POL, and SCI in order to teach and receive state certification. These courses can be a part of the CORE or taken as an elective. Consult with your academic advisor when choosing electives.

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

Field Experience

The faculty in the Education programs are 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.

Internship

Without specific permission from the Education Chair, 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.

In addition, the student should have:

  • Sufficient knowledge regarding the components of effective instruction.
  • Sufficient knowledge of appropriate grade-level content and teaching methods.
  • Sufficient knowledge of the developmental needs of students.
  • Sufficient knowledge of how to establish and maintain effective cooperative relationships with school personnel, students, and parents.
  • Understanding of and empathy for working with students.

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 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 Education programs, 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 15-week student teaching internship experience must be done in a local Maine Public School that is in an established internship protocol with the University of New England.

Professional Educator Review Board (PERB)

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 UNE 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 is recommended to the Maine State Department of Education for teacher licensure.

Advanced Standing

All students in education certification programs must apply for admission to advanced standing when they have completed approximately 60 credit hours. To apply for advanced standing, students must develop a portfolio demonstrating how they have met proficiency in the following areas: a) teaching skills, knowledge, and disposition aligned with the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards; b) basic academic skills and c) 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 these criteria do not remain enrolled in a certification program; however, students do have the option of changing their major to a non-certification major such as Educational Studies. 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.

Physical Education Concentration Requirements

The Education programs, within the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) along with the Exercise and Sport Performance Department in Westbrook College of Health Professions (WCHP) offers an academic concentration that leads to Maine State Certificate in Physical Education. This is NOT a full major but rather a concentration of courses that would lead to eligibility in K-12 Physical Education Certification. This 26-credit concentration needs to be added to either an Elementary/Middle or Secondary Education Major.

Content Courses: The Physical Education Concentration includes 26 credits offered through the Exercise and Sport Performance Department.

Education Courses: Students have two (2) options to complete this concentration:

  • A student can major in Elementary/Middle and then add the 26 credit concentration enabling the student to be certified in Elementary/Middle and get a Conditional Certification in Physical Education.
  • A student can major in Secondary Education with a discipline content area and then add this concentration to allow the student to obtain certification in one discipline and conditionally certified in a second discipline. The student would need to choose which area they are planning on pursuing initial certification by the time they get to student teaching. A student can only get certified in the discipline in which the student completes the 15-week student teaching requirement unless the student chooses to teach for ​two semesters in different certification areas.

Curricular Requirements

Elementary/Middle Education K-8 Certification with Physical Education Certification Credits
Additional Elementary Education Core Course: EDU 4XX - Methods of Physical Education K–12 3
Physical Education Concentration Credits 26
BIO 208/208L - Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology I 4
BIO 209/209L - Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology II 4
EXS 180 - Motor Learning and Performance 3
EXS 310 - Kinesiology and Biomechanics 3
EXS 320 - Exercise Physiology with Lab or EXS 205 - Sports Physiology 3
EXS 330/330L - Fitness Evaluation Prescription with Lab 3
EXS 340 - Concepts of Strength and Conditioning 3
ATC 306 - Psychology of Sport and Exercise 3
Elective (Math Course) 3