UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers undergraduate and graduate programs that lead to teacher certification in Elementary and Secondary Education.

The undergraduate program is intended for students seeking certification to teach grades 1-6 and Middle School. Because elementary teachers are generalists in a sense, content courses consist of a broad distribution of liberal arts classes (e.g., science, mathematics, history, social sciences, music, arts). Please explore our Elementary and Secondary Programs by following the related links.

OVERVIEW
EDCI Undergraduate Admission Requirements
The College of Education has a selective admissions program for all
elementary and secondary majors. First you need to apply and be admitted as an undergraduate student to the University of Maryland. You will be a pre-major until you meet the admission requirements of the College. To be admitted to the College of Education you need to meet the following criteria:

(No EDCI professional courses may be taken until you are admitted to the College.)

1. Completion of 45 credits or more
2. 2.50 cumulative grade-point average with at least one semester's grades (12 - 15 semester hours) from UMCP.
3. Completion of freshman English composition with a "C" or better
4. Completion of a freshman level math course (equivalent of MATH 110 or higher) with a "C" or better.
5. Completion of the Praxis I Exam
6. Elementary education students must also have a 2.75 GPA in the gateway required courses.

Praxis Tests
These tests are given only 6 times a year: January, March, April, June, September, and November. It is, therefore, important that you schedule your testing in order to have the results available at the time of your application. Praxis exams should be taken the semester before applying for admission to the College.

Praxis I - Basic Skills: PPST Math, PPST Reading, and PPST Writing. These three sections are part of the State of Maryland's New Requirements for certification. Passing scores are: PPST MATH - 177, PPST Reading - 177, and PPST Writing - 173.
NOTE: A composite score of 527 is accepted.

This test is also available for computer-based testing by calling The Counseling Center (Shoemaker Building) at (301) 314-0319 OR Sylvan Candidate Services at (800) 853-6773 for an appointment. Passing scores are: CBT MATH - 322, CBT Reading - 325, and CBT Writing - 319.
NOTE: A composite score of 922 is accepted.

Test results from the computer based testing are usually available in two weeks. Students with disabilities should call the Sylvan Candidate Services number for an appointment. This test is also available by regular testing in January, March, April, June, September, and November

Information on the Praxis I exam can be obtained from the Office of Student Services, Room 1204 Benjamin Building. You may also obtain a booklet by contacting the Educational Testing Service at 1-800-772-9476, or you may register through their web site at www.ets.org/prxsets.html Please request that your scores be sent to the University of Maryland as well as the Maryland State Department of Education.

Application Procedures
After meeting the requirements listed above, you should submit an application for admission to the College. Applications are accepted
ONLY TWICE A YEAR - MAY 1 AND DECEMBER 1.

Applications must be complete when they are turned in. Applications for admission are located in The Office of Student Services, Room 1204, Benjamin Building.
Applications should also be able to demonstrate:

1. Prior experience working with students at the age level you want to teach. (Elementary 1-8 and Secondary 5-12). This information should be provided in resume style on a separate sheet of paper.
2. Three letters of recommendation - from experiences working with students the age level you want to teach. (These letters should be on letterhead stationery, if possible, and should contain a telephone number where the Department can reach them if further information is necessary. It is strongly recommended that your reference letters come from experiences working with age appropriate students and that they address your potential to become a good teacher. These letters must be attached to your application.)
3. Goal Statement no more than two (2) pages and not less than one (1) page - double spaced - which addresses the following three (3) issues:
a. What does it mean to be a good teacher to all students? (Your answer should address diversity issues.)
b. What do you need to know and be able to do to become a good teacher?
c. What do YOU need to learn to be a good teacher?

DO NOT HAVE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FAXED OR MAILED TO THE COLLEGE.
Your goal statement must be a paper in essay form which is free of errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax. If you need assistance with this statement, please go to the Writing Center, 0125 Taliaferro Hall.

Freshmen should take MATH 110 (or higher) and ENGL 101 in your first semester at UMCP. Then at the end of the second semester or beginning of the sophomore year, you should plan to take the Praxis I). The third semester (when you achieve 45 credits) you may submit an application for admission. You must be admitted to the College by the time you acquire 56 credits.
Transfer students who have over 56 credits have two semesters in which to meet the admission requirements. Therefore, the first semester you should plan to take the Praxis (I or II) if needed and finish any requirements that you lack for admission. You must apply for admission no later than your second semester at UMCP.
UMCP students who are in other majors and who have over 56 credits may apply to the College of Education upon completing all of the admission requirements.

There is a limit to the number of times you may apply for admission. If you do not meet the qualifications to be admitted, you will be advised by the Admissions Committee of the deficiencies to be re mediated. Students then have the option to either remedy the deficiencies and then re-apply to the program or to petition for admission.

STUDENTS MAY EITHER RE-APPLY OR PETITION ONLY ONCE.
This restriction does not limit you rights to appeal to the College of Education.

+IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Elementary Education Program Update
The EDCI Elementary Education Program is structured so as to fulfill the Maryland State Department of Education’s requirement of a minimum of 100 full time internship days during their senior yearlong internship in Professional Development School settings. The senior yearlong internship begins at beginning of Fall semester and ends at the end of the spring semester, only. Students must take and pass Praxis II before their student teaching semester.

Secondary Education Program Update
Secondary Education teacher preparation programs in the College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction (EDCI) require students to complete a double major (subject matter major and education) with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.

In order to achieve admission to teacher preparation programs, students must earn a passing score on Praxis I, write a comprehensive professional statement, and obtain strong letters of recommendation to support their application. Upon admission, students devote much of their junior year in their programs completing their subject matter major and taking coursework in professional education. In their senior yearlong internship in Professional Development Schools (PDS) settings, students must complete a minimum of 100 full time internship days across field placements in the fall semester and student teaching in the spring semester. To ensure meeting the 100 full time internship day minimum requirement, students will begin their student teaching experience in the second week of January. Finally, students must pass Praxis II during the fall semester of their senior internship before being permitted to student teach in the spring semester.

When students complete all program requirements, the College of Education will recommend them for teaching licensure by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

For more information please follow this link