The Five-Year Integrated Master’s with Certification Program in Secondary Education

The Five-Year Integrated Master’s with Certification Program in Secondary Education is intended for University of Maryland undergraduate students majoring in Art, English, Foreign Language, Math, Science, and Social Studies, who begin as double majors in their content area and secondary education. This is a competitive program designed for students who want to become certified to teach at the secondary level (grades 7-12) and who want to earn a master’s in education. The program combines the undergraduate major with a block of education courses. This program allows academically talented undergraduates (GPA of 3.0 or higher) to complete 12 credits in education during their junior/senior years, gain early admission to the MCERT program, include the education credits already earned, and to gain certification in the subject field along with the Master’s of Education degree from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Students interested in the IMCP program will work closely with their content area advisor to ensure they are enrolled in the appropriate coursework. It is also required for all students to meet with an advisor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction to register for the education courses included in the program.

Upon completion of their Bachelors degree, IMCP students enroll in a full-year, 12 credit, teaching internship and complete 18 credits of graduate MCERT coursework during the fall and spring semesters that make them eligible for teacher certification and the M.Ed. degree. MCERT is offered at the Universities at Shady Grove campus and at school sites in Montgomery and Prince Georges counties. Highly qualified applicants in select content areas may apply and be eligible for paid internships during the program. In-state tuition for non-residents may also be available through the program.

************STEP ONE************
To gain preliminary admission to the College:
* Apply to the College of Education upon completion of 45 credits
* Indicate intention to be part of the Five-Year Integrated Master’s Program (including year)
* Complete Praxis I
* Submit 3 letters of recommendation. (May be able to transfer these letters when applying to the graduate school)
* Have GPA of a 2.5 or higher
* Complete Goal Statement

************STEP TWO************
In Junior year:
* Apply formerly to the IMCP Program in by December 1st (will enroll in graduate program fall semester following completion of Bachelors degree)***
* Have cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
* Review goal statement
* Update letters of recommendation
* Interview with EDCI department
* Those candidates recommended for IMCP admission will need to fulfill all additional program requirements
* Any individual not recommended for IMCP admissions should meet with EDCI advisor to review additional options for teacher certification and degree completion

************STEP THEREE*******
All admitted IMCP candidates must fulfill the following prior to completion of Bachelors degree
* Continue to meet with EDCI advising for review of program benchmarks
* Complete 3 education course (EDCI 413, EDCI 463, EDCI 488L)
* Complete appropriate content area pedagogy course(s)
* Pass Praxis II content area exam
* Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and all additional program requirements
* Graduate with Bachelors degree prior to beginning program

************STEP FOUR************
To transition into 5th year graduate MCERT program:
* May apply for a paid internship
* Enroll in two semesters (fall and spring) of full time coursework and six credits in the following summer
* Participate in full time, full year internship from August through June
* Maintain compliance with requirements of the program in order to ensure graduation and recommendation for certification

*** Please note: Completion of coursework, letters of recommendation, goal statement and interview does not guarantee admission to the IMCP program. Applicants must be recommended for graduate admission by program faculty.

Program Contact:
Jessica Bancroft
Director, Certification Programs
Benjamin Bldg. Room 1207 , University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD. 20742-1175
(301) 405-3120
e-mail: jbancro1@umd.edu


Program Faculty Leaders

Dr. Stephen Koziol – Department Chair
Dr. Wayne Slater – Secondary Education Coordinator and English Education
Dr. Susan Hendricks – Art Education
Dr. Perla Blejer – Foreign Language Education
Dr. Anna Graeber – Math Education
Dr. William Holliday – Science Education
Dr. Bruce Van Sledright – Social Studies Education

For more information about College of Education degree programs, visit the web: http://www.education.umd.edu