Professional Certification Minor

This minor is approved by the Maine State Board of Education. It enables students to earn secondary certification (grades 7-12) in English language arts, foreign language, mathematics, life science, physical science, and social studies. This certification is valid in Maine or in one of the 23 other states with which Maine has agreements of reciprocity. Students interested in professional certification should apply to the program faculty in the spring of their junior year. Candidates must have at least a 3.0 average in their major subject area and have completed the appropriate prerequisites for the student teaching sequence.  In addition, to obtain this minor (and to be eligible for a Maine secondary teaching certificate) students must perform with satisfaction on the Praxis I (Basic Skills) and Praxis II (Content Area Knowledge) Examinations (administered by the ETS) and complete a teaching portfolio.

English Foreign Languages
Life Sciences Mathematics
Physical Sciences Social Sciences


Requirements:

  1. A major (and at least a 3.0 GPA) in the subject to be taught. Requirements vary; in the case of Social Studies, additional courses may be required. Early consultation with program faculty is essential for all interested students.
  2. Achievement of passing scores on Praxis I (Basic Skills) and Praxis II (Content Area Knowledge) Examinations (administered by the ETS).
  3. Achievement of Maine's Initial Teacher Certification Standards as documented in a professional portfolio and professional conversation.
  4. The following courses:

Core Courses (7 required):

Ed 231 Teaching for Social Justice
Ed 215 Children and Adolescents in Schools and Society
Ed 374 Teaching Students with Special Needs
Ed 351j/355j Practicum in Education
Ed 431 Curriculum and Methods
Ed 433, 435j Senior Student Teaching Practicum

Electives (choose any 2 Education courses)


Helpful Information and Links for Certification Candidates

Maine Department of Education Certification FAQs

 Fingerprinting and Police Records Check

Praxis II Subject Area Tests and Passing Scores for Maine (UMF)

Praxis Registration and General Information

Teaching Without Certification in the Public Schools (Boston College)