Degree
Bachelor of Science with a major in Elementary Education with CertificationMission
The mission of the School of Education is to prepare lifelong reflective educators who exhibit flexibility, compassion, collaboration, and student-centered pedagogy knowledge and skills.
The School of Education offers strong experiential, student-centered, and responsive program preparing students to develop:
- Knowledge of content and instructional practice
- Professional dispositions
- Pedagogical skills
Our vision is to prepare future educators to have an exponential impact on the lives of their students and the broader community.
The core values that drive the School of Education and guide our ethos, principles, and standards are:
- Knowledgeable Professionals
- Collaborative Practitioners
- Inclusive and Culturally Competent Educators
- Reflective Life-Long Learners
Major Description
Students complete a four (4)-year curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Elementary Education and earn Maine certification. SWAGÊÓƵ has reciprocity with the majority of states in the United States including New England.
Curricular Requirements
| CAS Core Curriculum | Credits |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 42–43 |
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| EDU 105 – Exploring Teaching | 3 |
| EDU 110 – Supporting 21st Century Learning Through Technology | 3 |
| EDU 202 – Curriculum & Assessment | 3 |
| EDU 206 – Foundations of Literacy | 3 |
| EDU 261 – Teaching Social Studies: K-8 | 3 |
| EDU 267 – Teaching Science: K-8 | 3 |
| EDU 373 – Teaching Mathematics: K-8 | 3 |
| EDU 386 – Literacy Methods: K-8 Reading | 3 |
| EDU 387 – Literacy Methods K-8 Writing | 3 |
| EDU 385 – Diversity Issues in Schools | 3 |
| EDU 485 – Elementary Practicum | 3 |
| EDU 491 – Student Teaching Internship and Seminar | 12 |
| SPE 220 – Exceptionalities in the Classroom | 3 |
| SPE 405 – Inclusive Methods and Data-Based Decision Making | 3 |
| Total Credits | 51 |
| Open Electives or Physical Education Concentration* | 6–23 |
| Open Electives (as needed to reach 120 credits) | Variable |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
|---|
*Students pursuing the Physical Education Concentration should see the Concentration Tab below for the course list.
This program requires an overall minimum 2.5 GPA in the major.
FIELD EXPERIENCE
The faculty in the School of Education is committed to ongoing and frequent observation and involvement in schools. The teacher education programs at SWAGÊÓƵ 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.
ADVANCED STANDING
All students in education certification programs must apply for admission to Advanced Standing when they have completed approximately sixty (60) credit hours and completed at least three (3) education courses. To apply for Advanced Standing, students must develop a portfolio demonstrating how they have met proficiency in the following areas: teaching skills, knowledge, and disposition aligned with the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards; basic academic skills; and 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 not meeting the Advanced Standing criteria do not remain enrolled in a certification program and MUST change their major to a non-certification major. 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).
STUDENT TEACHING
Without specific permission from the School of Education Academic Director, 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.
The selection of individual internship sites will be made by the Certification and Placement Officer. Geographical location relative to SWAGÊÓƵ is a consideration. SWAGÊÓƵ 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. Placement in an internship is not guaranteed. The School of Education reserves the right to deny requests for courtesy internship placement for reasons it deems appropriate or necessary. The University, at its discretion, will not place students in internship settings (1) where an intern's children or relatives are enrolled, or (2) where a spouse or relative of an intern is currently employed. The School 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 fifteen (15)-week student teaching experience must be done in a local Maine Public School that is in an established internship protocol with the SWAGÊÓƵ. Students may not be permitted to accept a contracted teaching position (e.g., long-term substituting, yearlong internship) before completing at least half a semester of student teaching internship. However, student teaching interns may be permitted to sub on a day-to-day basis for their classroom teacher.
Professional Educator Review Board
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 SWAGÊÓƵ faculty. Students are required to develop a presentation reflecting their proficiency in meeting these state standards and present and defend the presentation 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.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of their bachelor's degree, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate mastery of the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards
- Demonstrate professionalism through accountability and engagement
- Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats
- Demonstrate appropriate dispositions as defined by professional expectations
Concentrations
The Physical Education Concentration includes twenty-five (25) credits offered through the Exercise and Sport Performance Department. This twenty-five (25)-credit concentration needs to be added to either an Elementary or Middle and Secondary Education Major.
To complete this concentration a student can major in Elementary Education with an academic discipline concentration and then add the twenty-five (25)-credit concentration enabling the student to be certified in Elementary Education and get a Conditional Certification in Physical Education. Please note, Physical Education is not a stand-alone concentration.
Elementary Education Certification with Physical Education Concentration Curricular Requirements
| Physical Education Concentration Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ATC 306 – Psychology of Sport and Exercise | 3 |
| BIO 208/208L – Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology I w/ Lab | 4 |
| EXS 180 – Motor Learning and Performance | 3 |
| EXS 205 – Sports Youth Physiology | 3 |
| EXS 310 – Kinesiology and Biomechanics | 3 |
| EXS 312 – Foundations of Coaching | 3 |
| EXS 330/330L – Fitness Evaluation Prescription w/Lab | 3 |
| EXS 340 – Concepts of Strength and Conditioning | 3 |
| Total Credits | 25 |
CONCENTRATION IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS
Maine Certification Area: 300 Math (MAT)
| Concentration Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| MAT 150 – Statistics for Life Sciences | 3 |
| MAT 190 – Calculus I | 4 |
| MAT 195 – Calculus II | 4 |
| MAT 212 – Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| MAT 220 – Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MAT 240 – Geometry | 3 |
| MAT 321 – Applied Statistics I | 3 |
| One (1) MAT course at 200-level or above | 3–4 |
| Total Credits | 26–27 |
CONCENTRATION IN Biology
Maine Certification Area: 395 Life Science (BIO, ENV, MAR)
| Concentration Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 105/105L – Biology I: Introduction to Ecology and Evolution w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 200/200L/200S – Genetics w/Lab and Recitation or BIO 207 – Organismal Genetics | 4–5 |
| One (1) 400-level or above BIO Elective Course | 3–4 |
| One (1) Physiology topic area course* | 3–4 |
| One (1) Ecology topic area course* | 3–4 |
| One (1) Organismal topic area course* | 3–4 |
| Total Credits | 24–29 |
*See Biology Curricular Requirements
CONCENTRATION IN English
Maine Certification Area: 100 ENG/LA (ENG)
| Concentration Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENG 115 – Classics of British Literature | 3 |
| ENG 116 – Classics of British Literature II | 3 |
| ENG 200 – US Literature I: Writing, Revolution and Resistance | 3 |
| ENG 201 – US Literature II: Cultural Diversity and Common Identity | 3 |
| ENG 206 – Introduction to Literary Theory | 3 |
| ENG 334 – Methods of Literary and Cultural Criticism | 3 |
| Two (2) Diversity and Global Literature Electives* | 6 |
| Total Credits | 24 |
*See a list of elective options
CONCENTRATION IN Environmental Science
Maine Certification Area: 395 Life Science (BIO, ENV, MAR)
| Concentration Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular w/Lab | 4 |
| ENV 220/220L – Conservation and Preservation w/Lab | 5 |
| Four (4) Credits of ENV or MAR Electives | 4 |
| Twelve (12) Credits of 300-level or above ENV Elective Courses | 12 |
| Total Credits | 25 |
CONCENTRATION IN History
Maine Certification Area: 200 Social Studies (GEOG, GIS, ECO, POL)
| Concentration Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| HIS 222 – US History I | 3 |
| HIS 223 – US History II | 3 |
| Five (5) HIS Electives* | 15 |
| Total Credits | 21 |
*HIS 290 – Historical Research Methods & Writing Recommended
CONCENTRATION IN Marine Science
Maine Certification Area: 395 Life Science (BIO, ENV, MAR)
| Concentration Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| MAR 105/105L – Evolution/Ecology of Marine Organisms w/Lab | 4 |
| MAR 106/106L – Cellular/Molecular Biology of Marine Organisms w/Lab | 4 |
| MAR 250/250L – Marine Biology w/Lab | 4 |
| MAR 270/270L – Oceanography w/Lab | 4 |
| Two (2) MAR Elective Organismal Biology Area Courses* | 6–8 |
| One (1) Non-Organismal Marine Science Course* | 3–4 |
| Total Credits | 25–28 |
*See a list of marine science elective options
CONCENTRATION IN Physical Science – Chemistry Track
Maine Certification Area: 350 Physical Science (CHE, PHY)
| Concentration Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| CHE 110/110L – General Chemistry I w/Lab | 4 |
| CHE 111/111L – General Chemistry II w/Lab | 4 |
| CHE 210/210L/210S Organic Chemistry I w/Lab and LabLecture | 5 |
| CHE 307/307L – Quantitative Analysis w/Lab or CHE 310/310L – Fundamentals of Biochemistry w/Lab | 4–5 |
| PHY 110 – General Physics I or PHY 210 – University Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 111 – General Physics II or PHY 211 – University Physics II | 4 |
| Total Credits | 25–26 |
CONCENTRATION IN Physical Science – Physics Track
Maine Certification Area: 350 Physical Science (CHE, PHY)
| Concentration Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| CHE 110/110L – General Chemistry I w/Lab | 4 |
| CHE 111/111L – General Chemistry II w/Lab | 4 |
| PHY 110 – General Physics I or PHY 210 – University Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 111 – General Physics II or PHY 211 – University Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 208 – Energy and Climate Change | 3 |
| PHY 305 – Revolutions of 20th Century Physics | 3 |
| PHY 310 – Biophysics Structure and Motion or PHY 320 – Medical Physics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 25 |
CONCENTRATION IN Physical Science – Multi-Disciplinary Track
Maine Certification Area: 350 Physical Science (CHE, PHY)
| Concentration Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| CHE 110/110L – General Chemistry I w/Lab | 4 |
| CHE 111/111L – General Chemistry II w/Lab | 4 |
| CHE 210/210L/210S Organic Chemistry I w/Lab and LabLecture | 5 |
| MAR 270/270L – Oceanography w/Lab | 4 |
| MAR 366 – Adv Oceanography I: Geological/Biological | 3 |
| PHY 110 – General Physics I or PHY 210 – University Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 111 – General Physics II or PHY 211 – University Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 305 – Revolutions of 20th Century Physics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 31 |
Transfer Credit
Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at SWAGÊÓƵ in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives.
All courses completed must be no older than five (5) years. Other restrictions apply.
See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Admissions
See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Financial Information
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.
Completion Requirements
All coursework, including the internship, should be completed within a five (5)-year time frame. A delay beyond the five (5) years might warrant the retaking of coursework. Furthermore, if state certification requirements change prior to your completion even within the five (5)-year timeframe, those changes must be incorporated into a revised program plan, in order to meet state certification regulations.
See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
This catalog outlines the academic programs, degree criteria, policies, and events of the SWAGÊÓƵ for the 2024–2025 academic year and serves as the official guide for academic and program requirements for students enrolling at the University during the Summer of 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 semesters.
The information provided is accurate as of its publication date on April 26, 2024.
The SWAGÊÓƵ reserves the right to modify its programs, calendar, or academic schedule as deemed necessary or beneficial. This includes alterations to course content, class rescheduling, cancellations, or any other academic adjustments. Changes will be communicated as promptly as possible.
While students may receive guidance from academic advisors or program directors, they remain responsible for fulfilling the requirements outlined in the catalog relevant to their enrollment year and for staying informed about any updates to policies, provisions, or requirements.