This innovative program is available to students majoring in Arts & Humanities or Natural & Applied Sciences. Upon successful completion of this 120 credit hour program students earn their bachelor's degree as well as certification to teach Secondary Education in the State of Maine for the following content areas: English, Social Studies, Dual English and Social Studies or Life Science. For more information on the Secondary Life Science track consult the Natural and Applied Sciences portion of this catalog.

Arts & Humanities/Secondary English

The bachelor of arts major in humanities offers the required courses to obtain secondary teacher certification (Grades 7-12) in English in the State of Maine. Students study humanities, common core, and education courses, and complete a semester of student teaching in their final year. The program enables HUM students to matriculate in a four-year undergraduate program that awards them a bachelor's degree in Arts and Humanities and qualify for a State of Maine teaching certificate. (Total credits 120).

* English endorsement obtained by at least 24 hours in English. These required courses provide 15-16 hours. Students must use minimum of 8-9 general English content electives** to earn minimum of 24 content hours. Students intending to teach at the high school level are strongly encouraged to earn a total of 36 content hours by using all the general English content electives**. If student doesn't want/need these additional 12 hours of content hours they may be replaced with general electives.

See note at end of this section on additional requirements of all teacher education students.

Arts & Humanities/Secondary Social Studies

The bachelor of arts major in humanities offers the required courses to obtain secondary teacher certification (Grades 7-12) in Social Studies in the State of Maine. Students study humanities, common core, and education courses, and complete a semester of student teaching in their final year. The program enables HUM students to matriculate in a four-year undergraduate program that awards them a bachelor's degree in Arts and Humanities and qualify for a State of Maine teaching certificate. (Total credits 120).

* Social Studies endorsement obtained by at least 24 hours in social studies. These required courses provide 24 hours. Students intending to teach at the high school level are strongly encouraged to take an additional 12 hours of social studies content electives** for a total of 36 hours. If student doesn't want/need these additional 12 hours of content hours they may be replaced with general electives.

See note at end of this section on additional requirements of all teacher education students.

Arts & Humanities/Secondary Dual English and Social Studies

The bachelor of arts major in humanities offers the required courses to obtain secondary teacher certification (Grades 7-12) in both English and Social Studies in the State of Maine. Students study humanities, common core, and education courses, and complete a semester of student teaching in their final year. The program enables HUM students to matriculate in a four-year undergraduate program that awards them a bachelor's degree in Arts and Humanities and qualify for a State of Maine teaching certificate. (Total credits: In order to complete 24 credits in one content area and 36 credits in another content area, a total of 123 credits is required for this major.  The degree can be completed in 120 credits if student does not earn 36 credits in one content area, however, that is not recommended).

* English endorsement obtained by at least 24 hours in English. These required courses provide 24 hours.

** Social Studies endorsement obtained by at least 24 hours in social studies. These required courses provide 27 hours.

*** Students intending to teach at the high school level are strongly encouraged to use the optional content electives*** to earn 36 content hours in either English or Social Studies. If student doesn't want/need these additional 12 hours of content hours they may be replaced with general electives.

Additional Requirements For All Teacher Education Programs:

• Before Beginning Year Two:
• Passing Praxis I: Reading, Writing, Mathematics
• Submit formal application to teacher education program
• TK20 activation
• Complete NETS-S Assessment
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and maintain minimum GPA of 3.0 through rest of program.
• Must pass fingerprinting and background check.
• Before Beginning Year Four:
• Passing Praxis II: Elementary Content Knowledge
• Demonstrate NETS-S Standards
• Successful completion of LAE 200, LAE 320, EDU 305, SED 335, and SED 420 with a B or better.
• Complete candidacy application process
• Program Completion:
• Cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0  Core and major coursework require a grade of C or better. Professional education coursework require a grade of B or better.
• Demonstration of NETS-T standards and InTASC standards, successful completion of program and major requirements.

TK20 Requirements:

All undergraduate and graduate students who matriculate into an educator preparation program or pathway at USM summer 2013 or later are required to subscribe to the Tk20 online data management system. Tk20 fee is considered a “cost of attendance” for students in USM’s educator preparation programs and pathways and will be eligible for consideration as part of costs for loan purposes. The subscription costs $125 and allows students to access and use the system across the areas of assessment, advisement, field-experience and career portfolio management. In addition to these areas, educator preparation programs and pathways use the system for program review and accreditation. The subscription is a one-time payment and must be made by each student during the first semester of program or pathway matriculation (check with individual programs and pathways for specific subscription timelines). Subscription instructions are posted on the Office of Educator Preparation web site: http://usm.maine.edu/educatorpreparation

The Office of Educator Preparation at USM will consider, on a limited basis, individual requests for financial support to assist in payment of this fee for students who have extremely challenging and extenuating financial circumstances (e.g. unexpected medical expenses; a sudden unforeseen life event that causes a dire financial burden). To apply for a subsidy, complete the application form on the Office of Educator Preparation web site under Tk20 (http://usm.maine.edu/educatorpreparation).  Submit the application to Colleen Pleau in the Office of Educator Preparation (8 Bailey Hall) or via email (cpleau@usm.maine.edu). Applications for this subsidy must be received no later than four weeks following the start of a student’s matriculation semester by Kim Warren, SEHD Director of Student Affairs.