Secondary Teacher Education (7-12)
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 7-12) 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 7 through 12, you’ll be qualified for a wider range of employment opportunities, including careers within and outside the field of education.
Selecting Your Major
As a student in a Secondary Teacher Education Pathway (7-12), 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?
- Elementary Education Major (K-8): Our Elementary Education Major offers a different range of content areas and leads to certification to teach elementary and middle school. Learn more about Elementary Education.
- K-12 Teacher Education:
- Foreign Languages (K-12): We offer majors in both French and Spanish Linguistics. Learn more about Foreign Language Teacher Education.
- Art and Music Teacher Education (K-12): The University offers majors in Art Education and Music Education that lead to K-12 teacher certification. These programs are offered separately from our Teacher Education Pathways. Learn more about Art and Music Teacher 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.
Learn More
- Do you know what you’d like to major in? You can view the specific Program Requirements for each Secondary Teacher Education Pathway Major:
- Biology Major — Secondary Teacher Education Track (BS)
- Chemistry Major — Secondary Teacher Education Track (BA)
- English Major — Secondary Teacher Education Track (BA)
- Environmental Science Major — Secondary Teacher Education Track (BS)
- Geography-Anthropology/Social Studies Major — Secondary Teacher Education Track (BA)
- History/Social Studies Major — Secondary Teacher Education Track (BA)
- Mathematics Major — Secondary Teacher Education Track (BA)
- Natural and Applied Sciences Major — Secondary Teacher Education Track (BA)
- Physics Major — Secondary Teacher Education Track (BA)
- Not sure what you’d like to major in? That’s okay! For now, you can learn more about the Secondary Teacher Education Pathways Program Requirements.
- How to Apply to USM
Questions?
Our Admissions Counselors would love to answer any questions you have about our Teacher Education Pathways.
- Call us: 1-800-800-4USM
or (207) 780-5670
TTY (207) 780-5646 - Email us: admitusm@maine.edu
- Want to receive more information about the University of Southern Maine? Fill out our Contact Us form.
Visit Us!
The best way to learn more about our University is to visit our beautiful campuses. The Secondary Teacher Education Pathways are taught on our Portland and Gorham campuses. Register for a tour today.