Frequently Asked Questions

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// Frequently Asked Questions
+ Program Questions?
+ Deadlines and Application Process Questions
+ GRE Questions
+ Praxis Questions
+ TOEFL Questions
+ Other Test Questions
+ Letters of Recommendation and Transcripts
+ Financial Aid 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?
We are beginning to offer portions of courses with assistance of WebCT and other computer-assisted technology.

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.

When does the program start?
The current Masters/Certification program began June 19, 2006 and ends August 2007. Students will graduate in August 2007. The 2007-2008 program begins June 18, 2007, continuing through August 10, with a one-week break from August 11- August 19, 2007. The fall portion starts August 20 and will run through the full academic year and continue through July 2008. Graduation will take place in August 2008.
Where are the classes held?
Most classes are held at Shady Grove (located in Montgomery county).
What schools will we work in?
Interns are normally placed in Maryland public schools, usually in PDS schools, in collaboration with counties neighboring College Park.

What kinds of mentoring will we receive?
All secondary 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 considered based on grades, professional experiences, and outlook about teaching.

How long as the program been in existence?
This program has existed for the past 20 years.

Do I have to have taken any education courses before I enter 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). If you would like to have your transcript reviewed, please contact us at edci-adv@umd.edu

Art (.doc)

Biology (.doc)

Earth / Space Sciences (.doc)

English (.doc)

Foreign Language (.doc)

Social Studies (.doc)

Mathematics (.doc)

Physical Sciences (.doc)

+ Deadlines and Application Process 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.

Where do I mail my supplemental application materials?

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 jjones@umd.edu if admission or an application needs to be deferred.

Do you have rolling admission?
Yes. The earlier applications are received, the better!

+ GRE Questions

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

+ Praxis Questions

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.

Other Test Questions

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 for more information about these tests.

Letters of Recommendation and Transcripts

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.

Financial Aid Questions

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

© 2006 Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education,
2311 Benjamin Building, University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-1115
TEL: 301-405-EDCI (3324) + FAX: 301.405.9055 + Webmaster + Last modified: February 27, 2006




Home // Elementary Program // Secondary Program // Application Info // FAQ // News // Links // Contact
// Frequently Asked Questions + Program Questions? + Deadlines and Application Process Questions + GRE Questions + Praxis Questions + TOEFL Questions + Other Test Questions + Letters of Recommendation and Transcripts + Financial Aid 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? We are beginning to offer portions of courses with assistance of WebCT and other computer-assisted technology. *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. *When does the program start?* The current Masters/Certification program began June 19, 2006 and ends August 2007. Students will graduate in August 2007. The 2007-2008 program begins June 18, 2007, continuing through August 10, with a one-week break from August 11- August 19, 2007. The fall portion starts August 20 and will run through the full academic year and continue through July 2008. Graduation will take place in August 2008. Where are the classes held? Most classes are held at Shady Grove (located in Montgomery county). What schools will we work in? Interns are normally placed in Maryland public schools, usually in PDS schools, in collaboration with counties neighboring College Park. What kinds of mentoring will we receive? All secondary 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 considered based on grades, professional experiences, and outlook about teaching. How long as the program been in existence? This program has existed for the past 20 years. Do I have to have taken any education courses before I enter 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). If you would like to have your transcript reviewed, please contact us at edci-adv@umd.edu Art (.doc) Biology (.doc) Earth / Space Sciences (.doc) English (.doc) Foreign Language (.doc) Social Studies (.doc) Mathematics (.doc) Physical Sciences (.doc) + Deadlines and Application Process 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. Where do I mail my supplemental application materials? 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 jjones@umd.edu if admission or an application needs to be deferred. Do you have rolling admission? Yes. The earlier applications are received, the better! + GRE Questions Do I need to the GRE? No! You do not need to take the GRE’s for admission into this program. + Praxis Questions 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. Other Test Questions 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 for more information about these tests. Letters of Recommendation and Transcripts 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. Financial Aid Questions 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
© 2006 Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, 2311 Benjamin Building, University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-1115 TEL: 301-405-EDCI (3324) + FAX: 301.405.9055 + Webmaster + Last modified: February 27, 2006