Table Test RM | UMD College of Education

Find Your Program

Undergraduate Programs


Art Education, B.A.	Secondary Education - English Concentration, B.A.	Secondary Education - English Concentration, B.A.	Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education, B.S.	Secondary Education - English Concentration, B.A.
Elementary Education, B.S.	Secondary Education - English Concentration, B.A.	Secondary Education - English Concentration, B.A.	Elementary/Middle Special Education, B.S.	Secondary Education - English Concentration, B.A.

Find Your Program

If you already have a bachelor's degree, you have a head start to becoming a certified teacher. We have a variety of graduate programs to choose from, including our MCERT program, which can get you certified in just one year.

Graduate Programs


Curriculum and Instruction - Creative Initiatives in Teacher Education Specialization (Off-campus), M.Ed.	Curriculum and Instruction - Reading Specialist Specialization, M.Ed.
Curriculum and Instruction - TESOL Specialization, M.Ed.	Curriculum and Instruction - with Certification (MCERT), M.Ed.
Curriculum and Instruction - World Languages Education Specialization, M.Ed.	Special Education - with Certification, M.Ed.

Steps to Become a Teacher

Below are some of the most common steps to becoming a teacher:

1. Enroll in a Teacher Preparation Program

Students admitted to the University of Maryland for our teacher education programs must apply separately to the College of Education for the professional program. You must submit the College of Education Professional Program Application by the end of your sophomore year or fall of junior year (check with your College of Education advisor).

Are you a UMD student interested in changing your major to education? You must attend a Major Exploration Workshop and schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.

Our master’s and doctoral programs have their own program-specific requirements for admission.

2. Complete Student Teaching

In our programs, you’ll learn innovative and inclusive teaching methods that will prepare you to become a culturally and equity-minded educator ready to lead in today’s diverse and multicultural classrooms. For undergraduate students, this includes a year-long teaching internship during your senior year, where you’ll gain valuable hands-on classroom experience, applying the knowledge and skills you learned in your coursework. Graduate students have tailored internship experiences based on their program.

Our students are placed in a variety of school settings in Maryland and the greater Washington, DC, area. Throughout the internship, our faculty will provide support, feedback and mentorship.

Before you receive your internship placement, you must complete the Criminal History Disclosure Form and fingerprinting for a background check.

3. Pass Required Exams

You must earn passing scores on several assessments (edTPA, Praxis II and others depending on licensure area) to meet the Maryland State Department of Education’s testing requirements for your area of certification.

4. Obtain Maryland Teacher Licensure

After earning your degree, you’ll be ready to apply for a Maryland educator license. Apply for Maryland State Initial Licensure through the Maryland State Department of Education.

If you are seeking teacher licensure in another state, consult the appropriate state departments of education for more information.

Contact Us

Questions about undergraduate programs or our MCERT program? Email future-edterp@umd.edu.

Questions about graduate programs? Email coegraduaterecruiting@umd.edu.