Major Four Year Plans & Professional Application

The College of Education confers the degrees of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) depending on the amount of liberal arts study included in a particular degree program. Minimum requirements for graduation are 120 semester hours. Some majors require more than 120 credits. In addition to the university's general education requirements and the specific requirements for each program, the College of Education requires that all majors complete a Foundations of Education course and, depending upon the teacher education major, six to twelve semester hours of reading course requirements. A grade of C (2.0) or better is required in all pre-professional and professional course work required for the major. An overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 must be maintained after admission to the Professional Teacher Education programs. A grade of "S" is required in the student teaching internship.

Pre-Professional Requirements:

Students in the pre-professional Education majors must apply to their respective professional teacher education programs. The application process for the professional programs will vary depending on the Education major. Students must be fully admitted to their professional education program upon completion of 60 credits. Transfer students that matriculate to the University with advanced credit (e.g. 60 credits or more) will be given two semesters to meet these requirements.

For more information about our programs and requirements please contact our advisors.

Pre-Professional Education Programs

Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education (PreK-3rd Grade)
Elementary Education (1st-6th Grade)
Middle School Math and Science Education (4th-9th Grade)
Secondary Education (7th-12th Grade)
Special Education (1st - 8th Grade)

Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education (PreK-3rd Grade)

Academic Requirements

Completion of a minimum of 45 credits
Cumulative UM 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 EDHD 220 (Early Childhood) with a “B” (3.0) 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 Physical Science with Lab course (DSNL)
- 4-Credit Biological Science with Lab course (DSNL)

*Each of the above 4 courses must be completed with a minimum grade of "C-"

Experiential Requirements

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

Early Childhood 4-Year Plan & Program Requirements (Gen Ed)

EC/ECSE Benchmarks

NOTE: Students may apply for admission to the Professional Teacher Education Programs only once. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the Professional Teacher Education program. Admission to the professional program is competitive.

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Elementary (1st-6th Grade)

Academic Requirements

Completion of a minimum of 45 credits
Cumulative UM 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” (3.0) 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 Physical Science with Lab course (DSNL)
- 4-Credit Biological Science with Lab course (DSNL)

*Each of the above 4 courses must be completed with a minimum grade of "C-"

Experiential Requirements

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

Elementary 4-Year Plan & Program Requirements (Gen Ed)

Elementary Education Benchmarks

NOTE: Students who apply to the Elementary Professional Teacher Education Programs and are initially denied may reapply only once. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the Professional Teacher Education Program. Admission to the professional program is competitive.

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Middle School Math and Science Education (4th-9th Grade)

Academic Requirements

Completion of a minimum of 45 credits
Cumulative UM 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” (3.0) 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 Physical Science with Lab course (DSNL)
- 4-Credit Biological Science with Lab course (DSNL)

*Each of the above 4 courses must be completed with a minimum grade of "C-"

Experiential Requirements

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

Middle School Math and Science 4-Year Plan & Program Requirements (New Gen Ed)

Middle School Math and Science Education Benchmarks

Please see the Teacher Education Certification Programs for more information about each teacher preparation program.

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Secondary Education (7th-12th Grade)

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 and for graduate programs
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)

Experiential Requirements

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 in your content area major)
Submission of the College of Education Foundational Competencies Acknowledgement Form
See an Advisor for additional gateway requirements

Secondary Education 4-year Plans & Program Requirements (New General Ed):

Secondary Art Education

Secondary English Education

Secondary Science/Computer Science Education

Secondary Math Education

Secondary Science/Agricultural Science & Technology Education

Secondary Science/Biology Education

Secondary Science/Chemistry Education

Secondary Science/Geology Education

Secondary Science/Physics Education

Secondary Social Studies/Geography Education

Secondary Social Studies/Government Education

Secondary Social Studies/History Education

Secondary Education Benchmarks:

Secondary Art Education

Secondary English Education

Secondary Math Education

Secondary Science Education

Secondary Social Studies Education

World Languages 4-year Plans & Program Requirements (New Gen Ed):

Russian

Spanish

World Languages Benchmarks:

World Languages Programs Benchmarks

Students who are interested in pursuing the combined 5-year B.S./M.Ed. programs in either Secondary, students must apply to the Professional Teacher Education Program (master's portion of the program) within their majors.

Please see the Teacher Education Certification Programs for more information about each teacher preparation program.

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Special Education (1st - 8th Grade)

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 and for graduate programs
Completion of lower-level Fundamental English requirement with a “C-” or better
Completion of lower-level Fundamental Math requirement with a “C-” or better
(NOTE: Special Education majors must take STAT 100)
Minimum passing scores on a Basic Skills Tests (see Advisor for details)

Gateway Requirements

Satisfactory completion of EDSP 210 or EDSP 470 with a "B" or better
Satisfactory completion of STAT 100 with "C" or better

Experiential Requirements

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)
Submission of the College of Education Foundational Competencies Acknowledgement Form

Special Education Benchmarks

Special Education Sample 4-year Plans:

Elementary/Middle Special Education 4-year Plan and General Ed Requirements

Please see the Teacher Education Certification Programs for more information about each teacher preparation program.

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The application for the Professional Teacher Education program is electronic. Click on the link provided below to begin the application process. The deadline for all admission applications is May 1st or December 1st by 11:59pm depending on the program. Please consult your Advisor for the appropriate application deadline.

Electronic Professional Teacher Education Application

Program admission requirements and instruction forms:
Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education Application Instructions
Elementary Education Application Instructions
Integrated Maryland Masters (IMCP) Application Instructions
Middle School Education Application Instructions
Secondary Education Application Instructions
Special Education Application Instructions

Application Resources
Criminal History Disclosure Statement
Foundational Competencies/MCEE assessment forms
Policy document
Career Center (Resume Assistance)
Writing Center

NOTE: Students may apply for admission to the Professional Teacher Education program only once. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the Professional Teacher Education program. Admission to the Professional program is competitive.

Please see the Teacher Education Certification Programs for more information about each teacher preparation programs.