MSEd in Teaching and Learning (ETEP Unified K-8 and Special Education)

What ETEP is
The Extended Teacher Education Program (ETEP) is a graduate level teacher education program that leads to elementary, secondary, and special education certifications and a master's degree. Committed to equitable and engaging learning, the faculty works closely with school partners to ensure that prospective teachers are competent, caring, and qualified.

What the ETEP options are

• 9-Month program: a full-time elementary or secondary certification program that leads to a master of science in education in teaching and learning (M.S.Ed.). It begins mid-August and continues through May.
• Unified: a two-year dual certification program:A unified elementary option that combines K-8 general education certification with K-8 special education certification. All of the coursework in this option is online. This option lead to a master of science in education (M.S.Ed.) in Teaching and Learning. It is especially suitable for education paraprofessionals who want to be teachers.
• Newcomer: an option designed to recruit recent immigrants and language-minority candidates into teaching, done in collaboration with Portland Public Schools.

What the Advantages of ETEP are

• Personalized and Supportive Learning:  Teacher candidates are organized into groups of 15-20. These groups work closely with faculty and school-based site coordinators, take classes together, and provide an ongoing network for interactive learning and support. 
• Intensive Mentored Internships:  Throughout the entire internship year(s) -from the first day of school in September until May-ETEP interns are placed in K-12 classrooms with experienced teachers. These classrooms serve as "learning laboratories" where interns can practice the ideas and concepts they are studying in their professional teaching courses and learn the essentials of classroom management, instructional planning, responsive teaching, and the ongoing assessment of student learning. 
• Graduate-Level Degree Program: ETEP courses and seminars are taught by experienced USM faculty and school practitioners and provide in-depth opportunities to connect content and pedagogy. The program leads to a master of science in education.
• School Partnerships:  ETEP was created in 1990 in close collaboration with southern Maine school districts and has remained well-connected to school partners.  This relationship has kept the program vital and relevant and accounts for the high rate of job placements achieved by our graduates in their first year out of the program. 

Who ETEP serves

• People with a bachelor's degree who want to be elementary school, middle school, high school, or special education school teachers.
• Career changers with a bachelor's degree who want to become an elementary school, middle school, high school, or special education school teachers.
• Educational technicians with a bachelor's degree who want to change careers and become an elementary school, middle school, high school, or special education school teachers.
• Conditionally certified teachers seeking a master's degree as they complete coursework to fulfill teacher certification requirements.