Professional Certification
Teacher Preparation at Colby
Colby believes that the best preparation for a teaching career is twofold:
(1) a strong background in the liberal arts, including intensive study of the subject to be taught, and
(2) a strong understanding of pedagogical practices and an extensive practical experience in education.
We offer Maine State certification to students in the following endorsement areas: Secondary (grades 6-12) — English, social studies, life science, physical science, and mathematics. (K-12) — French, German, and Spanish.
There are 3 pathways for students pursuing professional certification:
Educational Studies w/a Concentration in Professional Certification Major & Content Major
Major in Educational Studies + Major in department/program that corresponds to endorsement area
Education Minor & Content Major
Major in department/program that corresponds to endorsement area + add Education Professional Certification Minor
9th Semester Offering
Graduate with Educational Studies w/a Concentration in Professional Certification Major & content major. Return after graduation to complete student teaching sequence
Requirements for Minor, Major, 9th Semester in Professional Certification
Students interesting in minoring in Professional Certification must have the following:
A major in department or program that corresponds to desired certification endorsement
Seven education courses including:
- ED101: Education & Social Justice
- ED215: Child & Adolescent Development in Education
- Note: for students in the class of 2025 and earlier, ED213 may be substituted
- ED331: Curriculum & Methods
- ED374: Educating All Learners in Inclusive Classrooms (counts as practicum/internship)
- The Student Teaching Sequence. Note: Taken Spring semester senior year. Requires that professional certification candidates teach full time (7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Monday-Friday). Other Colby courses cannot conflict with this daily commitment.
- ED433: Student Teaching Practicum
- ED494A: Senior Seminar in Creating Equitable Learning Environments
- ED494B: Senior Seminar in Professional Certification
A major in department or program that corresponds to desired certification endorsement
A major in educational studies w/a concentration in professional certification.
Ten education courses. Coursework MUST include:
- ED101: Education & Social Justice
- ED215: Child & Adolescent Development in Education
- Note: for students in the class of 2025 and earlier, ED213 may be substituted
- ED331: Curriculum & Methods
- ED374: Educating All Learners in Inclusive Classrooms (counts as practicum/internship)
- The Student Teaching Sequence. Note: Taken Spring semester senior year. Counts as 1 of the 10 & requires that professional certification candidates teach full time (7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Monday-Friday). Other Colby courses cannot conflict with this daily commitment.
- ED433: Student Teaching Practicum
- ED494A: Senior Seminar in Creating Equitable Learning Environments
- ED494B: Senior Seminar in Professional Certification
A ninth-semester program is also available to qualified students.
Students in the program return to Colby after graduation in either the fall or the spring semester to complete the student-teaching sequence full time in a local school. There is no charge for this program, but students are responsible for finding their own housing off campus. Students interested in the ninth-semester program must apply to the program in the spring of their senior year and complete all requirements for their education major/minor before graduation.
Candidates must have completed all required courses for professional certification except for the student-teaching sequence. In it’s place, students should plan to take another of the Department’s senior seminar offerings.
Colby Professional Certification Program Accreditation
Colby’s Professional Teacher Certification Program is accredited by the Maine State Board of Education under Pathway 1 of the state’s teacher certification pathway.
Colby students who successfully complete the program are eligible for a Maine license in their content area.
Candidates for Maine teacher licensure must undergo a criminal background check and fingerprinting, and complete a portfolio demonstrating competencies in the Colby Initial Teaching Certification Standards. Fees are required for the background check. Furthermore, the Maine Department of Education charges an application fee.
Maine also participates in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) and, through the NASDTEC Interstate Contract, Maine has reciprocity for teacher licensure with at least 46 other states. Education Department faculty support Colby graduates when they apply to transfer the Maine teaching certificate to another state.
Students may consider applying directly to another state in lieu of completing Maine’s requirements. Students who wish to apply directly to another state without first obtaining Maine licensure must contact the department of education in the other state and should also consult with Colby Education Department faculty.
Applying to the Professional Certification Program
Students interested in professional certification must apply to the program in the spring of their junior year. Candidates must have at least a 3.0 average in their major content area and must have completed the appropriate prerequisites for the student-teaching sequence (at least ED101 & ED215, and preferably ED374).
More information
Early consultation with department faculty and careful planning of the student’s course of studies are essential for successful completion of the minor. This is especially important for students considering studying abroad.
Interested students should contact Sherry Pineau Brown, Coordinator of Teacher Education at [email protected] for more information.