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MCERT (Master's Certification Program) for Elementary Education in grades 1-6 is a teacher education program for individuals who have completed a baccalaureate degree in various academic fields. The MCERT program is a 13-month, full time program that leads to a Master’s of Education (M.Ed) degree as well as eligibility for Maryland State certification to teach in elementary schools.
MCERT students begin the program in June and finish in July of the following year. Students participate in a year long internship in a Professional Development School (PDS) located in Montgomery County, Prince Georges, or Howard County. In the fall and winter semesters, students take courses two days a week and are immersed in their internships three days a week. In the spring semester, students will be immersed in their internships five days a week, with early release on Thursdays to attend afternoon and evening classes. Furthermore, all students will participate in an internship practicum that is scheduled every other week after school. The final capstone course (Teaching as a Profession) will be scheduled two evenings a week from mid May to early July. Courses will be held at Universities at Shady Groves, or at one of our school partner sites (MC, PGC, or HC). All graduate interns are assigned a school-based mentor and receive regular support from their university-based supervisor.
Course Schedule
Summer (June- August)
Embracing Diversity in Classroom Communities (3 credits)
Processes and Acquisition of Reading (3 credits)
Diagnostic Reading Instruction and Assessment (3 credits)
Teaching Language Arts in Elementary Schools (3 credits)Fall (September-December)
Materials and Instruction for Creating Skilled and Motivated Readers (3 credits)
Studying Students in Diverse Contexts (3 credits)
Teaching Math in Elementary School (3 credits)
Teaching Science in Elementary School (3 credits)Conducting Research on Teaching (1 credit)
Teaching Internship (1 credit)
Spring (January-May)
Reading in the Elementary School (3 credits)
Teaching Social Studies in Elementary School (3 credits)Conducting Research on Teaching (2 credits)
Teaching Internship (4 credits)
Summer (May/June)
Teaching Leadership (1 credit)
Teaching as a Profession (3 credits)
Field Placements/ Internships
All graduate interns are assigned apprentice teaching duties in elementary schools in Montgomery, Prince Georges, or Howard County for three full days during the Fall and Winter interim semesters, and for 5 days a week (students will have early release at 12:00 noon on Thursdays to accommodate spring course work) during the Spring semester. From mid May to the close of school, interns will be expected to visit other classrooms and school sites. The full year internship, as required by the Maryland State Department of Education, encompasses 100+ days of school-based experience in a participating PDS.
Exit Requirements
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Portfolio
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Seminar paper
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Praxis I and II
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Performance Based Assessment (PBA)