Masters Certification Program (MCERT)
for Elementary & Secondary Education

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Click on the specific area of your inquiry.

 

 

 

Program Questions
Application Questions
Course Prerequisite Questions

 

 

 

Program Questions


Can I apply part-time?
The Masters/Certification program currently is offered only on an intensive full time basis.


Do you have a distance learning program?

No, we currently do not offer a distance learning program.

 

Do I have to contact faculty members before I apply?

No, you can apply without contacting program faculty. Contacting faculty, however, is helpful as the faculty may be able to answer questions about the program for you. See the contact link.

 

When does the program start?
The Masters/Certification program begins each year in June and ends the following June. Students will graduate in August and can participate in the December commencement.

Where are the classes held?
Classes are held at Universities at Shady Grove (located in Montgomery county) or held at a PDS site in Prince George’s, Montgomery or, Howard County.

What schools will we work in?
Interns are normally placed in a year long internship in a PDS site, in Montgomery, Prince George’s, or Howard County.

 

What kinds of mentoring will we receive?
All graduate interns are assigned a school-based mentor, an experienced certified teacher in the student’s area of certification.

In addition, all graduate interns receive support during the school year from a university-based supervisor, and a subject-based coordinator who are experienced educators in the area of the intern’s certification field.

 

Whenever possible, graduate interns are placed in clusters in a department in a professional development school as part of building a peer-support network in addition to the mentor and university supervisor.

What kind of person are you looking for?
While a diverse range of applicants is accepts annually into the program, generally, applicants should minimally have a 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 GPA in the teaching major. Applicants who do not meet this requirement are still encouraged to apply as applicants are evaluated based on a combination of grades, professional experiences, and outlook about teaching.

 

How long as the program been in existence?
The MCERT program began in 1985.


How do you apply for a paid internship?
Once you are accepted in the program, Secondary applicants in high need content areas can participate in interviews at MCPS and PGCPS in the late spring.  Please note that n ot all areas right now have opportunities for paid internships.

Do I have to do a Dissertation at the end of the Master’s Program?

No, however, there is a seminar paper which is the written account of the action research project done in EDCI 696.

 

At the end of the program, are there comprehensive exams I have to take?
No.  Instead, students are required to prepare a teaching portfolio and present it to a panel of evaluators.

 

What does the Internship during the Master’s program entail?
The Internship will be somewhat different for students who are doing paid internships and for students who are not.  However, all students will be in the schools at least 100 days (as mandated by the State of Maryland).

 

Where is the Shady Grove Campus?
The Shady Grove Campus is located in Rockville, MD.    http://shadygrove.umd.edu/about/directions      301-738-6023

 

What is the cost of the program?

All students are charged at $427/credit hour.  MCERT is a 42 credit program. The total cost of the 2007/2008 program is $18, 330 including a one time lab fee. Tuition will increase slightly each year.

 

Is there financial aid available?
Currently, all teaching candidates within this program, will receive in state tuition, even those from out of state. Also, paid internships are available for secondary teaching applicants. For other financial aid questions and payment options, please visit the UMD financial aid office at http://www.financialaid.umd.edu

 

 

 

 

 

Application Questions


What is the deadline?
The preferred application deadline for the Masters Certification program is December 1st; however, the FINAL deadline is March 1st. Supporting documents should be submitted than March 1st as well.

 

Do you have rolling admission?
No. Application material will first be reviewed in early December then again in early March.

 

Where do I mail my supplemental application materials?
Graduate School, University of Maryland http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/
All required application materials should be mailed to:


University of Maryland College Park
Enrollment Services Operations
Application for Graduate Admission
Rm. 0130 Mitchell Building Box G
College Park, MD 20742


Can I defer admission?
Please contact Joy Jones at jonesj@umd.edu if admission or an application needs to be deferred.

 

Will you accept sealed letters of recommendation and transcripts if I mail them?
Yes, however, transcripts should be sealed with an official school stamp.

 

Do I need to have transcripts sent for every college-level class I have taken?
Yes, transcripts from all institutions previously attended should be sent.

 

How many copies of each transcript should I arrange to be mailed?
Only 1 copy of each transcript is needed.

 

Can letters of recommendation be faxed or e-mailed?
No, letters of recommendation should be sent directly to admissions office.

 

Who can be recommenders?
Recommenders should be individuals who can speak to your potential professional assets as it relates to being an effective teacher.

 

Which Praxis tests do I need to take?
Applicants need to take Praxis I and the content knowledge portion of Praxis II for admission. (Note: Applicants pursuing certification in Foreign Language Education must also complete the language production skills portion of Praxis II. Please visit the College of Education website for more information about these tests - http://www.education.umd.edu/studentinfo/teacher_certification/praxis.html
Those admitted to the program will also be required to pass the final portion of Praxis II (pedagogy) but not until the end of the fall semester. This must be complete prior to Student Teaching in the Spring semester.

Are there deadlines for taking the Praxis tests?
In order to begin this program, you need passing scores on Praxis I and the content knowledge portion of Praxis II. Any acceptance would be tentative until passing scores are received. Students typically take Praxis II pedagogy in November as it is required PRIOR to Student Teaching in the Spring semester.
What Education courses do I have to take before starting the program?
There are no education courses needed prior to entering the program. 


Do I need to the GRE?
No! You do not need to take the GRE’s for admission into this program. You do need to take Praxis I prior to starting the program.

What is the minimum GPA score required?
While a diverse range of applicants is accepts annually into the program, generally, applicants should minimally have a 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 GPA in the teaching major. Applicants who do not meet this requirement are still encouraged to apply as applicants are considered based on grades, professional experiences, and outlook about teaching.

Which exams do I need to take by the deadline to be eligible for admissions?
You need to take Praxis part I and part II, sections 1 and 2. Please visit www.ets.org/praxis  for more information about these tests and for registering for the Praxis.

 

 

 

 

Course Prerequisites Questions

 

What Education courses do I have to take before starting the program?
There are no education courses needed prior to entering the program. 

 

The following coursework is needed in order to be eligible for the specific secondary education programs. Please complete the template (word doc), using your own transcript(s). For those interested in the Elementary Program, you will need to fulfill 3 math prerequisites.  If you would like to have your transcript reviewed, please edci_adv@umd.edu.


For Elementary applicants three math classes are required prequisites: UMCP courses (or their equivalent from another institution): Math 212, Math 213, Math 214.
If you have College calculus, you’re exempt from Math 212.  If you get a 177 on math Praxis I, you’re exempt from Math 212.
If you have a college geometry class, you’re exempt from Math 213.
If you have a College statistics class, you’re exempt from Math 214.
All prerequisite math classes must have been completed with a C grade or better.
If you need these classes, check out: www.tce.umd.edu to see what would transfer into UMCP as these classes.  You can also look into distance learning options: www.onlinemathocurses.org. Math prerequisiteis can be taken at any college.
Montgomery College: MA 130=Math 212, MA131=Math 213, MA 132=Math 214
Prince George’s Community College: MAT105=Math 212, MAT 106=Math 213, MAT 116=Math 214
Howard Community College: Math 127= Math 212, Math 128=Math 213, Math 138=Math 214