UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN
TEACHER EDUCATION
Early Childhood - Elementary - Secondary - Special Education
Music/Physical Education
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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (Pre-K through 3rd Grade)
The Department of Human Development offers an undergraduate program that is designed for students seeking certification to teach nursery school through grade three. Because early childhood teachers are expected to provide an inclusive, developmental education, content courses include psychology, science, math, music, and arts. The mission of the program is to prepare knowledgeable, skilled and reflective practitioners who base their practice on theory, research, and pedagogy appropriate for the developing child. Based upon a strong departmental research agenda and national standards for teacher education programs, the Early Childhood curriculum has been developed around:
- Child development
- Research infused content courses
- Extensive observation
Field experiences in high quality professional development schools
A critical component of the program is the need for students to understand and value the importance and complexity of children’s families and communities.
Sample Early Childhood Program Sheet
(Program sheets are the be used for information purposes only)
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ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (1st through 6th Grade)
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers an undergraduate program in Elementary Education. This program is intended for students seeking certification to teach grades 1-6 and middle school. Because elementary teachers are generalist in a sense, content courses consist of a broad distribution of liberal arts classes (e.g., science, mathematics, history, social sciences, music, and arts). This program also includes an 18-credit Area of Emphasis.
The Area of Emphasis allows students to acquire some depth in a specific curricular area and prepares them to teach this area of study in a departmentalized setting. The Area of Emphases, which have been developed upon national accreditation standards, include Communications, Literature, Math, Foreign Language, Science, and/or Social Studies.
Sample Elementary Program Sheet
(Program sheets are the be used for information purposes only)
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SECONDARY EDUCATION (7th through 12th Grade)
According to the Maryland State Department of Education, there is a critical shortage of teachers in the state’s 24 districts. Many of these shortages occur at the middle school and secondary levels. We believe that the best way to increase the number of teachers to address a statewide shortage is to offer pathways for teacher certification.
Secondary Education Double Major Programs
This option is ideal for first time students. It includes a fully articulated dual major in an Arts and Sciences content area and education. Freshmen are able to complete the university’s CORE general education classes, along with the requirements for the academic subject area and education majors within eight semesters. The following programs are available as double majors in conjunction with Secondary Education (links will take you to the program's website):
5-Year Combined Bachelor/Master’s in Secondary Education
The program is for talented students who wish to combine undergraduate studies in the content area and professional education as a foundation for focused professional coursework at the graduate level leading to secondary-level certification in the subject field and the Master’s of Education degree. As undergraduates, admitted students complete their baccalaureate degrees with a major in the relevant and content area and a minimum of 12 credits in graduate-level professional studies related to teacher certification requirements. In their fifth year, they enroll in a full-year internship and complete professional studies that make them eligible for teacher certification and the master’s of education degree. The fifth year of the program will be housed at the Shady Grove campus.
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SPECIAL EDUCATION (All age ranges)
The Department of Special Education at the University of Maryland at College Park offers an exciting five-year, combined Bachelor’s/Master’s program in Special Education. The program prepares graduates to successfully assume the increasingly complex responsibilities of a teacher for students with disabilities. The coursework and field experiences provide a solid foundation in generic special education followed by an intense two-year specialization in one of three age levels:
- Early Childhood
- Elementary
- Secondary/Middle School special education.
Within each age-based specialization, graduates earn cross-categorical, dual certification to work with both students with high-incidence disabilities (e.g., learning disabilities, behavior disorders, mild mental retardation) and students with low-incidence disabilties (e.g., autism, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy). Distinctive features include: three full years of field experiences; integrated B.S. / M.Ed. degrees; dual special education certification; and a department consistently ranked in the nation’s top ten by US News and World Report.
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MUSIC EDUCATION/PHYSICAL EDUCATION
While not part of the College of Education, Music Education and Physical Education are offered as majors here at the University of Maryland. Please follow the links below to their respective program website.
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