Masters Certification Program (MCERT)
for Elementary & Secondary Education

 

Secondary Education Program Overview :

MCERT(Maryland Graduate Certification Program) for Secondary Education (grades 7 through 12) is an alternative teacher education program for individuals which have completed a baccalaureate degree in various academic fields, including: English, Social Studies, Foreign Language (Spanish, French, German and Italian), Mathematics, Art, Science (biology, chemistry, physics) and TESOL. The MCERT program is a 13-month, full time program that leads to a Master’s of Education (M.Ed) degree as well as eligibility for Maryland State certification to teach in secondary schools. 

Teacher candidates start in June and finish the following July.  Placements are made for year long internships in a Professional Development School (PDS) located in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, or Howard County.  All graduate interns are assigned a school-based mentor in their content area and receive regular support from their university-based supervisor.

 

Sample Course Schedule
Most graduate courses are offered at Universities at Shady Grove or on campus.


Summer (June/July)
Content Area Methods I (3 credits)
Adolescent Learning and Development (3 credits)
Content Area Reading I (3 credits)
Embracing Diversity in Classroom Communities (3 credits)

Fall (September-December)
Content Area Methods II (3 credits)
Studying Student in Diverse Contexts (3 credits)
Conducting Research on Teaching (1 credit)

Spring (January-May)
Content Area Methods III (3 credits)
Content Area Reading II (3 credits)
Conducting Research on Teaching (2 credits)

Summer (May/June)
Teaching, Professional Development and Social Change (3 credits)
Internship (3 credits)

 

Field Placements/ Internships
All graduate interns are assigned independent and/or apprentice teaching duties that are nested within a full-day, full-year internship. Secondary school internship site are in Montgomery (MCPS), Prince George’s (PGCPS) or Howard County (HCPS). 

There is an option for paid or unpaid internships in either Montgomery and Prince George’s County. Currently paid internships are offered in the following content areas: English, Foreign Language, TESOL, Mathematics, and Science. Social Studies and Art are not considered high need areas in MCPS or PGCPS.

 

Exit Requirements

  • Portfolio
  • Seminar paper
  • Praxis I and II (based on content area)
  • Performance Based Assessment (PBA)