The University of Southern Maine (USM) Teacher Education program offers a unique approach to teacher education. Our Secondary Teacher Education Pathways allow you to combine teacher preparation courses and student teaching experience with a major in the liberal arts or sciences.

You’ll graduate with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor Science, depending on your major, and you’ll be qualified for middle and high school teacher certification (Grades 6-12) in public school settings through the Maine Department of Education.

The Benefits of Our Secondary Teacher Education Pathways

  • Expertise and insight in the content you’ll teach: By majoring in the liberal arts or sciences, you’ll be prepared as an engaging and resourceful educator.
  • Experience in the classroom: You’ll gain more classroom experience here than any other teacher preparation program in the state of Maine. Field experience begins with classroom observation during your first year and continues during your second and third years. Your final year includes a year-long student teaching internship, during which you’ll gain experience in both middle school and high school.
  • Expanded career options: By graduating with a BA or BS and being certified to teach grades 6 through 12, you’ll be qualified for a wider range of employment opportunities, including careers within and outside the field of education.
  • This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization and Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, and for contact information to inquire further about the licensure requirements associated with this program.

Selecting Your Major

As a student in a Secondary Teacher Education Pathway (6-12), you’ll select a major from the list below:

  • Biology (BS)
  • Chemistry (BA)
  • English (BA)
  • Environmental Science (BS)
  • Geography-Anthropology/Social Studies (BA)
  • History/Social Studies (BA)
  • Mathematics (BA)
  • Natural and Applied Sciences (BA)
  • Physics (BA)

Looking for a Different Teacher Education Pathway or Major?

We offer majors in both French and Spanish Linguistics. (K-12)

The University of Southern Maine (USM) Teacher Education program offers a dynamic approach to foreign language teacher education. We allow you to combine a major in either French or Spanish Linguistics with teacher education courses and student teaching experience.

You’ll graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in either French or Spanish Linguistics, and you’ll be qualified to obtain teacher certification in elementary, middle, and high school (K-12) in public school settings through the Maine Department of Education.

  • Expertise in the language that you’ll teach: When you graduate, you’ll be proficient in a foreign language, and you’ll be prepared as an engaging and resourceful educator.
  • Classroom experience: You’ll gain more classroom experience here than any other teacher preparation program in the state of Maine. Field experience begins with classroom observation during your first year and continues during your second and third years. Your final year includes a year-long student teaching internship, during which you’ll gain experience in both middle school and high school.
  • Expanded career options: By graduating with a BA in French or Spanish Linguistics and being certified to teach, you’ll be qualified for a wider range of employment opportunities, including careers within and outside the field of education. In the state of Maine, most foreign language teachers find opportunities in grades 6-12.
  • This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization and Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, and for contact information to inquire further about the licensure requirements associated with this program

You can view the specific Program Requirements for teaching a foreign language:

Art and Music Teacher Education (K-12)

The University of Southern Maine (USM) offers majors in Art Education and Music Education that lead to teacher certification for grades Kindergarten-12. Please note that these programs are offered separately from our Undergraduate Teacher Education program. 

If you’re interested in teaching art, you’ll study through our Department of Art. You’ll graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Art with a concentration in Art Education.

Learn more about Art Education.

If you’re interested in teaching music, you’ll study through our School of Music. You’ll graduate with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education.

Learn more about Music Education.

Becoming a Teacher

Our Teacher Education Pathways provide a rigorous, authentic learning experience. When you graduate, you’ll have expertise in the subject area that you’ll teach along with a superior background in educator preparation. You’ll also know which school setting suits you best, and you’ll be ready to tackle the professional challenges ahead.

The skills and attributes we emphasize and cultivate in future teachers:

  • Passion for working with adolescents and for the subject matter you’ll teach.
  • Commitment to equity.
  • Skills and creativity in classroom technology use.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Adaptable team player.

Advising and Support

You’ll receive academic and professional development support on several levels:

  • Selecting courses: During your first and second years, you’ll work one-on-one with a professional advisor to plan your schedule and track your progress toward graduation.
  • Staying on track to graduate: During your third and final years, you’ll receive guidance from a faculty advisor. Faculty advisors ensure that you’re meeting requirements for your Teacher Education Pathway and your major, and they’ll discuss career plans with you.
  • Establishing your student teaching internship: You’ll work with our Office of Educator Preparation to determine which school district best matches your career goals, your Teacher Education Pathway, and your geographic location.
  • Learning from professional teachers: During your final year internship, you’ll be mentored by an on-site teacher.