The Elementary Education Undergraduate Program is a professional preparation program, designed to be completed in 4 years. Graduates are eligible for elementary teaching certification in the state of Maryland. The Program equips students to meet the challenges of teaching in the 21st century by preparing them to meet the needs of a diverse student body.
Program graduates:
- have in-depth knowledge of the subject matter they teach
- can effectively plan classroom based instruction
- can accurately assess and analyze student learning, make appropriate adjustments to instruction, monitor student learning, and have a positive effect on learning for all students
- are able to work with students, families, and communities in ways that reflect the dispositions expected of professional educators as delineated in professional, state, and institutional standards
For admission information to the Univeristy, please visit undergraduate admissions.
Once admitted to the University, students in the College of Education must meet the Selective Admissions requirements in order to proceed into the Professional portion of the Elementary Education program. The Selective Admissions requirements for the Elementary Education program are as follows
Academic Requirements
- Completion of a minimum of 45 credits
- Cumulative UMD GPA of 2.75 or higher; 3.0 GPA is recommended for best consideration
- Completion of lower-level Fundamental English requirement with a “C-” or better
- Completion of lower-level Fundamental Math requirement with a “C-” or better
- Minimum passing scores on a Basic Skills Tests (see advisor for details)
Gateway Courses
- Satisfactory completion of TLPL 251 with a “B-” or better
- Satisfactory completion of the following courses with a 2.7 GPA
- MATH 212 – Elements of Mathematics
- MATH 213 – Elements of Geometry
- 4-Credit CORE Physical Science with Lab course
- 4-Credit CORE Biological Science with Lab course
Experiential Requirements
- A resume that shows prior experience in the education field with youth in the age range you intend to teach
- A written goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation (one must be from a faculty member or instructor)
- Satisfactory rating on the College of Education Foundational Competencies/Model Code of Ethics for Educators (FC/MCEE)
STEP ONE: Apply for undergraduate admission to the University.
Once admitted to the University, proceed to Step Two after connecting with a UMD COE Academic Advisor.
STEP TWO: Please submit your application to the Professional Teacher Education Program online.
Please contact the Office of Student Services, ed-advising@umd.edu, or 301-405-2364.
Academic Advising is an essential part of your academic experience at UMD.
Our mission is to help you understand the academic requirements and curricular offerings in the College of Education (COE). Our advisors:
- Assist you with realistically reviewing and planning your academic progress and discussing its relationship to successful degree completion.
- Inform you about different campus resources and services that will help you to make the most of your experience while at the University of Maryland.
- Administer mandatory advising meetings each semester (which are required for all current COE majors).
For more information visit the COE Undergraduate Advising website.
For a list of the College of Education Scholarship opportunities please click here.
Elementary Education Four Year Academic Plan
Program Notes:
This is a proposed plan and the College of Education does not guarantee that these courses will be offered in the designated
semester. Consult the Schedule of Classes for class availability and meeting times.
*Two lab sciences are required for major.
** All students must complete two Distributive Studies courses that are approved for I-series courses. Students must complete Understanding Plural Society and Cultural Competence courses that may also fulfill a Distributive Studies category.
Year 1
| Fall | credits | spring | credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 (AW) | 3 | Oral Communication (OC) | 3 |
| MATH 107 or Higher (MA) | 3 | MATH 212 | 3 |
| Natural Science with Lab (NL)* - Physical | 4 | Natural Science with Lab (NL)* - Biological | 4 |
| HIST 200 (HU) | 3 | TLPL 250 (HU) or TLPL 360 (HS) | 3 |
| UNIV 100 | 1 | Social Science Requiremtn | 3 |
| Total | 14 | Total | 16 |
| Benchmark Requirements: AW and MA must be completed by 30 credits with C- or higher. | |||
Year 2
| Fall | credits | spring | credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATH 213 | 3 | Math 214 | 3 |
| PSYC 221 (SP) or SOCY 230 (HS) | 3 | TLPL 251: Introduction to Teaching | 3 |
|
Analytic Reasoning (AR) |
3 |
TLPL 340: Introduction to Children's Literature and Critical Literacy | 3 |
| Area of Emphasis | 3 | Area of Emphasis | 3 |
| Area of Emphasis | 3 | Non-Major SP* | 3 |
| Take Skills test as needed. | Submit application to professional program. | ||
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 |
| Benchmark Requirements: Gateways must be completed by 60 credits; Gateway courses to be completed with 2.7; MATH 212; MATH 213; DSNL; DSNL; TLPL 251: Introduction to Teaching with B- or higher | |||
Year 3
|
Fall Professional Semester I |
credits |
spring Professional Semester II (Spring only) |
credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLPL 341: Assessing Language and Literacy Development in Elementary Classrooms | 3 | TLPL 332: Fine Arts Integration in Elementary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDSP 401: Teaching Students with Disabilities in Elementary Classrooms | 3 | TLPL 361: Principles & Methods of Teaching in Elementary Schools | 3 |
| TLPL 479 G: Field Experiences in Education: Elementary Education Tutoring | 1 | TLPL 362: Social Studies Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDHD 411(HS) | 3 | TLPL 342: Promoting Skilled and Motivated Readers in Elementary Classrooms, Part I | 3 |
| Area of Emphasis or Elective | 3 | TLPL 478I: Professional Seminar in Education | 1 |
|
Area of Emphasis or Elective |
3 | TLPL 479 G: Field Experiences in Education: Internship | 1 |
| Professional Writing | 3 | ||
| Total | 16 | Total | 17 |
Year 4
Year-long internship
|
Fall Professional Semester III |
credits |
spring Professional Semester IV |
credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLPL 312: Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary Education: Mathematics | 3 | TLPL 300: Digital Learning Tools and Communities | 1 |
| TLPL 321: Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary Education: Science | 3 | TLPL 478G: Professional Seminar in Education | 2 |
| TLPL 446: Language Variation and Multilingualism in Elementary Classrooms | 3 | TLPL 344: Culturally Responsive Language and Literacy in Elementary Classrooms | 3 |
|
TLPL 343: Promoting Skilled and Motivated Readers in Elementary Classrooms, Part II |
3 | TLPL 489G: Internship in Education: Teaching Residency | 9 |
| TLPL 478G: Professional Seminar in Education | 1 | ||
| TLPL 489G: Internship in Education: Teaching Residency | 2 | ||
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 |
| Total degree credits: 123 | |||
To access Undergraduate Forms, Policies and Procedures please click here.