EDUCATION PROGRAM COMPONENTS

University’s CORE Program
CORE is the shortened name for the CORE Liberal Arts and Sciences Studies Program at the University of Maryland at College Park. CORE is the set of general education requirements that all undergraduates must complete in addition to their major, department, and college requirements in order to earn their bachelor's degrees. CORE courses will constitute approximately 43-46 credits toward your degree. For most students, many CORE courses may also fulfill other major, departmental, or college requirements. The CORE Program consists of four elements:

• Fundamental Studies
• Distributive Studies
• Advanced Studies
• Human Cultural Diversity

Pre-Professional Program
As students are taking courses to fulfill the CORE Program, undergraduate Education majors will be also taking courses to fulfill the Education Pre-Professional Requirements.  These courses lay a foundation for the Professional part of the program, and they vary depending on the Education major that the student has chosen.  For example, students in Elementary and Early Childhood Education will be taking courses in art, children’s literature, social studies, science and mathematics.  Secondary Education students typically take courses in their content area major, while Special Education students take introductory courses in psychology, hearing and speech, and introductory courses in special education.

Professional Program Admissions
All students in the College of Education must apply to the Professional Program of their respective Education major at the end of their sophomore year. The application process will vary depending on the major that the student is pursuing. Admissions requirements for students in the College will typically consist of the satisfactory completion of a fundamental English and Math course, a GPA at the University of Maryland, and to have at least 45 credits (NOTE: These requirements vary depending on the Education major you are pursuing). Students are required to take and pass the Praxis I (score requirements very per program). In addition to these requirements, students will be asked to provide information on their experience in the education field, a goal statement, and letters of recommendation.

Professional Program/Year-Long Teaching Internship
The Professional Program in Teacher Education is the phase in which all of the Education students take advance courses in teaching strategies, methods of teaching, and educational support.  Also, this is the part of the program where students complete their field experience through classroom observation and student teaching internships.  The student teaching and observations component of our Education majors is done at designated Professional development Schools that are affiliated with the College of Education.    Because of the partnership between the College and these schools, students will only be placed in one of our partner PDS Schools.  Student teaching and observations are a full-time commitment. Interference with this responsibility because of employment or course work is strongly discouraged.

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