Secondary Education
Audrey Bartholomew, Chair
abartholomew1@une.edu
Mission
The mission of the Education programs is to develop reflective teachers who are competent and caring lifelong learners. Our faculty members are dedicated to our students, university, and community through our research, service, and innovative teaching. In addition to the mission statement, the School of Professional Programs has four guiding principles that are used in the development and delivery of all courses and programs. These principles are:
- Rigorous mind
- Compassionate heart
- Competent demonstration
- Reflective stance
These guiding principles are integrated into all of our programs and align with our mission statement to define our commitment to our students. The Education programs are aligned with state teacher certification standards, and only individuals who demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills, professional attitude, and commitment to future students will be recommended by the institution for certification.
Major Description
Students complete a four-year curriculum leading to a Bachelor’s Degree of Science. Maine State requirements mandate 24 credits in a discipline area. Students can either choose to double major in Secondary Education along with a major in an academic discipline that leads to certification or major in Secondary Education with an academic area concentration (24 credits). Academic disciplines at 51°µÍø leading to secondary certification are: Biology (and associated life science majors), Chemistry, English, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, History, Marine Biology, Mathematics and Political Science. The Education programs provide professional teacher preparation courses culminating in a semester of student teaching.
Curricular Requirements
There are two paths that students can take as a Secondary Education Major.
- Double Major: Students can major in Secondary Education along with a major in an academic discipline that leads to certification. Areas of secondary certification are English, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, and Social Studies.
- Secondary Major with Academic Concentration: Students can major in Secondary Education with an academic area concentration. Concentrations are available in Mathematics, Biology, Environmental Science, Physical Science (Chemistry and Physics), History, English, and Marine Science.
Secondary (7-12) Education Certification with Double Major
| Secondary (7–12) Education Certification with Double Major Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| University Core Requirements | 42–46 |
| Double Major Subject Requirements (see requirements for your major: Art, Biology, Chemistry, English, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, Political Science) | Variable |
| Professional Core Courses | 39 |
| EDU 105 - Exploring Teaching | 3 |
| EDU 110 - 21st Century Learning Through Technology | 3 |
| EDU 202 - Curriculum & Assessment | 3 |
| SPE 220 - Exceptionality in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 385- Diversity Issues in Schools | 3 |
| EDU 303 - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas | 3 |
| EDU 488 - Secondary Practicum | 3 |
| EDU 498 - Secondary Internship and Seminar | 12 |
| SPE 405- Inclusive Methods and Data Based Decision Making | 3 |
| Select one appropriate methods course from the following list: | 3 |
| EDU 436 - Teaching Secondary English | 3 |
| EDU 437 - Teaching Secondary Science | 3 |
| EDU 438 - Teaching Secondary Social Studies | 3 |
| EDU 439 - Teaching Secondary Math | 3 |
| EDU 441 - Methods of Art Education | 3 |
| Open Electives (as needed to reach 120 credits | Variable |
| Minimum Required Total Credits | 120 |
Secondary (7-12) Education with Academic Area Concentration
| Secondary (7-12) Education with Academic Area Concentration | Credits |
|---|---|
| University Core Requirements | 42-46 |
| Concentration Requirements (see requirements below for Academic Area Concentrations) | Variable |
| Professional Core Courses | 39 |
| EDU 105 - Exploring Teaching | 3 |
| EDU 110 - 21st Century Learning Through Technology | 3 |
| EDU 202 - Curriculum & Assessment | 3 |
| SPE 220 - Exceptionality in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 385- Diversity Issues in Schools | 3 |
| EDU 382- Literacy Research-Based Instructional Methods | 3 |
| Select one appropriate methods course from the following | 3 |
| EDU 436 - Teaching Secondary English | 3 |
| EDU 437 - Teaching Secondary Science | 3 |
| EDU 438 - Teaching Secondary Social Studies | 3 |
| EDU 439 - Teaching Secondary Math | 3 |
| EDU 441 - Methods of Art Education | 3 |
| EDU 488 - Secondary Practicum | 3 |
| EDU 498 - Secondary Internship and Seminar | 12 |
| SPE 405- Inclusive Methods and Data Based Decision Making | 3 |
| Open Electives (as needed to reach 120 credits) | Variable |
| Minimum Required Total Credits | 120 |
FIELD EXPERIENCE
The faculty in the Education programs are committed to ongoing and frequent observation and involvement in schools. The teacher education programs at 51°µÍø have a specific competency-based focus to meet the Maine standards for teacher certification. All students engaged in teacher preparation will spend time in a field setting in each of the semesters for which they are registered for professional education courses. Involvement in the schools will be connected to specific, course-related tasks (e.g., observation, teaching lessons, conducting experiments, administering assessments, etc.). Transportation to and from schools is the responsibility of the student.
INTERNSHIP
Without specific permission from the Education Chair, courses may not be taken during the internship semester, so all required coursework must be completed the semester prior to the internship. Admission to the internship is not guaranteed and students must have reached Advanced Standing to apply.
In addition, the student should have:
- Sufficient knowledge regarding the components of effective instruction.
- Sufficient knowledge of appropriate grade-level content and teaching methods.
- Sufficient knowledge of the developmental needs of students.
- Sufficient knowledge of how to establish and maintain effective cooperative relationships with school personnel, students, and parents.
- Understanding of and empathy for working with students.
- No serious professional behavior reservations.
The selection of individual internship sites will be made by the Certification and Placement Officer. Geographical location relative to 51°µÍø is a consideration. 51°µÍø has a collaborative relationship with many districts and selects both schools and teachers based on their interest in and ability to assist interns in demonstrating mastery of the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards standards. Placement in an internship is not guaranteed. The Department of Education, through its Certification and Placement Officer, will make a good faith effort to negotiate an appropriate placement. Schools have the right to refuse placement requests. The 15-week student teaching internship experience must be done in a local Maine Public School that is in an established internship protocol with the University of New England.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR REVIEW BOARD (PERB)
All students enrolled in the internship must demonstrate their teaching competence with respect to Maine Common Core Teaching Standards before the Professional Educator Review Board (PERB). The Board is comprised of professional educators from area schools as well as 51°µÍø faculty. Students are required to develop a portfolio reflecting their proficiency in meeting these state standards and present and defend the portfolio in front of the Board. Passing PERB is a requirement for completion of the certification program and subsequently being recommended to the Maine State Department of Education for teacher licensure.
advanced standing
All students in education certification programs must apply for admission to advanced standing when they have completed approximately 60 credit hours. To apply for advanced standing, students must develop a portfolio demonstrating how they have met proficiency in the following areas: a) teaching skills, knowledge, and disposition aligned with the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards; b) basic academic skills and c) professional skills. This portfolio is evaluated by a committee of education faculty and a pass/fail determination is made based on a holistic rubric. Students meeting these criteria create a development plan ensuring they will continue meeting require criteria and are prepared to student teach their final semester.
Students not meeting these criteria do not remain enrolled in a certification program; however, students do not have the option of changing their major to a non-certification major such as Educational Studies. Students can reapply for advanced standing upon completion of each additional semester up until their second to last semester (i.e., students graduating in Spring must meet advanced standing by the beginning of the previous Fall semester.