Program Overview
The Secondary Education, Science Concentration program equips you with both a solid grasp of scientific concepts in your chosen specialty and the skills to effectively teach them to students. With a focus on inquiry-based learning and early hands-on field experiences, you'll learn to foster critical thinking, problem-solving and scientific literacy.
This program leads to teacher licensure and a double major in Secondary Science Education and one of the following science areas:
- Agriculture
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Geology
- Physics
Terrapin Teachers
This program is part of Terrapin Teachers (TT), which is an innovative undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) middle school science and math and secondary education certification pathway. As a version of the UTeach model, TT addresses the local and national shortage of highly skilled STEM K-12 teachers, TT offers science and math majors a career option they may not have considered and provides them with various pathways to teaching certification.
- An integrated degree program - students will receive a bachelor's degree in science or math along with eligibility for teacher certification.
- Opportunities for students to teach science or math lessons in elementary, middle, and high schools.
- A strong focus on social justice and equity in STEM classrooms
- Personal guidance from faculty with K12 classroom experience
$78,580
Mean salary of secondary school teachers in Maryland, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Learning Goals
- Foster meaningful science discourse and collaboration among students.
- Design and implement inquiry-based, student-centered science lessons.
- Integrate technology to enhance science learning.
- Utilize evidence of student thinking to inform instruction.
- Navigate cross-cultural situations in teaching, ensuring equitable learning opportunities.
- Engage in reflective practice to evaluate growth as a teacher.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Admission into our Professional Teacher Education programs is selective. You must take the following steps to be considered:
- Apply and be admitted to the University of Maryland
- Attend a Major Exploration Workshop (UMD internal transfers only)
- Meet with an Academic Advisor
- Meet all selective admission requirements for your specific program of interest
- Complete the Professional Application and submit Supplemental Application Materials
Students typically apply for professional teacher education programs at the end of sophomore or beginning of junior year.
Selective Admissions Requirements
The requirements below are in addition to being admitted to the University. Before completing the Professional Teacher Education Program Application, you should meet with a College of Education Academic Advisor.
- Admission to the University.
- 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)
- Satisfactory completion of TLPL 401 with a “B-” or better
- Satisfactory completion of the upper level content area courses. Consult Advisor for content area GPA requirement.
- A resume that shows prior experience in the education field with K12 students (tutor, babysitter, coach, youth counselor)
- A written goal statement
- Two letters of recommendation (one must be from a faculty member or instructor in your content area)
- Satisfactory rating on the College of Education Foundational Competencies/Model Code of Ethics for Educators
“Terrapin Teachers has not only made me excited about teaching, but really set in my heart that this is what I want to do.”
-Jennifer Hill, student
-Jennifer Hill, student
Requirements
Program Requirements
This program is designed to meet the evolving needs of today's educators. You'll build a solid foundation in your science focus area and delve into specialized courses about teaching. You will work closely with faculty, mentors and peers to observe, analyze and reflect on instruction. The program culminates in a year-long teaching internship to give you real world experience.
Program Requirements and 4-Year Plan
The undergraduate internship experience is broken into two parts:
- Fall Senior Year: 1 day a week placement with an experienced mentor at a high school where the intern has the opportunity to observe, reflect and participate in classroom activities.
- Spring Senior Year: 5 days a week full-time placement where the intern will take on full responsibilities of a classroom teacher including planning, instruction and assessment of students with the support of a veteran mentor teacher, supervisor and program coordinator.
Contact
Contact
For more information, please contact:
Terrapin Teachers
TT@umd.edu
Info Sessions & Events
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