Contact

Lane W. Clarke Ed.D.
Director, School of Education 
lclarke1@une.edu 
 
Jason Asdourian, M.Ed 
Assistant Director Graduate Programs in Education 
jasdourian@une.edu 

Mission

The mission of the School of Education is to prepare lifelong reflective educators who exhibit flexibility, compassion, collaboration, and student-centered pedagogy knowledge and skills. The School of Education offers strong experiential, student-centered, and responsive program preparing students to develop:

• Knowledge of content and instructional practice
• Professional dispositions
• Pedagogical skills

Vision

Our vision is to prepare future educators to have an exponential impact on the lives of their students and the broader community. 

The core values that drive the School of Education and guide our ethos, principles, and standards are:

• Knowledgeable Professionals
• Collaborative Practitioners
• Inclusive and Culturally Competent Educators
• Reflective Life-Long Learners

Major Description

Students complete a four-year curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a major in Middle/Secondary Education and earn Maine certification. After completing 60 credits, students can apply to enter this accelerated B.S./M.S.E. Acceptance on the accelerated program makes them eligible to take THREE  online graduate courses (nine credits total) that count both for their undergraduate degree and towards their Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.).  Students then have the ability to complete their master's degree online in as little as one additional year. UNE has reciprocity with the majority of states in the United States including New England. 
Maine State requirements for Middle or Secondary certification mandate 24 credits in a discipline area. Students must choose 1) to double major in Middle and Secondary Education along with a major in an academic program leading to a B.S. that leads to certification 2) complete a dual degree in Middle and Secondary Education along with a major in an academic discipline leading to a bachelor’s degree other than a B.S. (eg. B.A.) that leads to certification or 3) major in Middle and Secondary Education with an academic area concentration (24 credits). Academic disciplines at UNE leading to secondary certification are: Biology (and associated life science majors), Chemistry, English, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, History, Marine Biology, Mathematics and Political Science. The Education programs provide professional teacher preparation courses culminating in a semester of student teaching.

Admissions

Application Process  

When students have 60 credits completed, they apply for "Advanced Standing”. At the same time, they also apply to the Master’s in Education Program through an online application. 

Admission Requirements  

Students must pass the Advanced Standing requirement. To apply for Advanced Standing, students must develop a portfolio demonstrating how they have met proficiency in the following areas: a) teaching skills, knowledge, and disposition aligned with the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards; b) basic academic skills; and c) professional skills. This portfolio is evaluated by a committee of education faculty, and a pass/fail determination is made based on holistic rubric.  

Financial Information

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more tuition and fee information, please consult this catalog’s Financial Information section.

Curricular Requirements

Program Required Courses for Undergraduate Portion of Program

There are three paths that students can select from as a Middle and Secondary Education Major. Each student must select at least one of these paths.

Double Major

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a major in Middle and Secondary Education with Certification may double major in an academic area that leads to a second Bachelor of Science degree. Options include Life Sciences, Applied Mathematics, and Physical Science.

Dual Degree

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a major in Middle and Secondary Education with Certification may dual degree in an academic area that leads to a second major that is not a Bachelor of Science degree. Options include English and History (Social Studies).

Concentration

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a major in Middle and Secondary Education with Certification may pursue an academic area concentration. Concentrations are available in Applied Mathematics, Biology, English, Environmental Science, History, Marine Science, Physical Science (Chemistry and Physics), and Physical Education.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Nor'easter Core Requirements
Nor'easter Core Requirements		40
Program Required Courses
EDU 105	Exploring Teaching	3
EDU 110	Supporting 21st Learning through Technology	3
EDU 115	Field Practicum I	1
EDU 120	Educating for Community and Belonging	3
EDU 202	Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment	3
EDU 215	Field Practicum 2	2
EDU 303	Read&Writ in the Content Area	3
EDU 488	Secondary or Art Ed Practicum	3-4
EDU 498	Secondary Education Student Teaching and Seminar	12
PSY 250	Lifespan Dev in Context	3
SPE 220	Introduction to Special Education	3
SPE 401	Inclusive Classroom Management	3
Select one appropriate methods course from the following list:		3
EDU 436	Teaching Secondary English
EDU 437	Teaching Secondary Science
EDU 438	Teaching Sec Social Studies
EDU 439	(Teaching Secondary Math)
Select one of the following options:		Variable
Double Major 1
Dual Degree 2
Concentration 3
Middle/Secondary Education with Certification and MSE Eligibility Courses
EDU 597	Differentiation Theory and Strategies	3
EDU 598	Ethical Responsibilities in Today's Educational Systems	3
EDU 599	Developing a Framework for Diversity and Inclusion	3
Open Elective Courses (Students complete open elective credits as necessary to meet the University’s 120-credit minimum for graduation. The total number of elective credits required will depend on the student’s completed program, core, and other degree requirements.)		26
Total Hours		120-121

¹

For the Double Major option, students can find requirements for their selected major here: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Marine Sciences, and Mathematics, Applied.

²

For the Dual Degree option, students can find requirements for their selected major here: Art, English, and Political Science.

³

For the Concentration option, students can find requirements for their selected area in the Concentrations section below.

Program Required Courses for Graduate Portion of Program

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Program Required Courses
EDU 690	Action Research	3
EDU 695	Portfolio	3
Select five program specific electives below		15
Total Hours		21

Program Specific Elective Options

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
EDU 600	Teacher as Leader	3
EDU 701	Educational Leadership	3
EDU 702	School Law	3
EDU 703	Edu Change/School Reform	3
EDU 704	Supervise/Eval Instr Personnel	3
EDU 706	School-Comm Rel/Communications	3
EDU 707	Instructional Leadership	3
EDU 709	School Finance	3
EDU 715	Org Theory/Strategic Planning	3
EDU 720	Special Ed Law for the Class	3
EDU 721	Technology w/ Inclusion Ed	3
EDU 722	Special Ed Assess Inclusion	3
EDU 723	Teach&Learn Inclusion Setting	3
EDU 725	Behaviors Considerations/Inclu	3
EDU 726	Telling your School's Story through Data Analysis	3
EDU 727	Understanding the Whole Child	3
EDU 730	Universal Design for Learning	3
EDU 740	Sup Lit Devel for all Learners	3
EDU 741	Lit Assess as Teaching Tools	3
EDU 742	Study Skills and Content Lit Instruction for All	3
EDU 743	Connect Read w/Writ for Succes	3
EDU 744	Meet Student Lit Challenges	3
EDU 746	Prof Learning/Literacy Leader	3
EDU 748	Literacy for Inclusion Setting	3

Please note: While some courses can fulfill both core and program requirements, the credits earned do not count twice towards the minimum total required credits for the degree.

Concentrations

Concentration in Applied Mathematics

Maine Certification Area: 300 Math (MAT)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
MAT 150	Statistics for Life Sciences	3
MAT 190	Calculus I	4
MAT 195	Calculus II	4
MAT 212	Discrete Mathematics	3
MAT 220	Linear Algebra	3
MAT 240	Geometry	3
MAT 321	Applied Statistics	3
One MAT course at 200-level or above		3-4
Total Hours		26-27

Concentration in Biology

Maine Certification Area: 395 Life Science (BIO, ENV, MAR)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
BIO 105 & 105L	Biology I: Ecology/Evolution and Bio I: Ecology/Evolution Lab	4
BIO 106 & 106L	Biology II: Cellular/Molecular and Bio II:Cellular/Molecular Lab	4
BIO 214 & 214L	Genetics and Genetics Lab	4
One 400-level or above BIO Elective Course		3-4
One Physiology topic area course 1		3-4
One Ecology topic area course 1		3-4
One Organismal topic area course 1		3-4
Total Hours		24-28

¹

See Biology Curricular Requirements

Concentration in English

Maine Certification Area: 100 ENG/LA (ENG)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
ENG 115	Pilgrims, Poets and Other Yahoos: British Literature I	3
ENG 116	Democratizing Literature: British Literature II	3
ENG 200	Writing, Revolution, & Resistance in U.S. Lit	3
ENG 201	Who and What is an American? Reimagining US Lit	3
ENG 206	Introduction to Literary Theory & Criticism	3
ENG 334	(Methods of Literary and Cultural Criticism)	3
Two Diversity and Global Literature Electives 1		6
Total Hours		24

¹

See the Diversity and Global Literature list of elective options under the Curricular Requirements section of the English program

Concentration in Environmental Science

Maine Certification Area: 395 Life Science (BIO, ENV, MAR)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
BIO 106 & 106L	Biology II: Cellular/Molecular and Bio II:Cellular/Molecular Lab	4
ENV 215	Field Methods in Conservation	3
ENV 220	Conservation and Preservation	3
Four Credits of ENV or MAR Electives		4
Twelve Credits of 300-level or above ENV Elective Courses		12
Total Hours		26

Concentration in History

Maine Certification Area: 200 Social Studies (GEOG, GIS, ECO, POL)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
HIS 222	US His I: Contact - Civil War	3
HIS 223	US History II: Reconstruction-Present	3
Five HIS Electives 1		15
Total Hours		21

¹

HIS 290 History Hands On Topics Recommended

Concentration in Marine Science

Maine Certification Area: 395 Life Science (BIO, ENV, MAR)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
MAR 105 & 105L	Ecology and Evolution of Marine Organisms and Eco/Evo of Mar Organisms Lab	4
MAR 106 & 106L	Cellular and Molecular Biology of Marine Organisms and Cell/Molec Bio/Marine Orgs Lab	4
MAR 250 & 250L	Marine Biology and Marine Biology Lab	4
MAR 270 & 270L	Oceanography and Oceanography Lab	4
Two MAR Elective Organismal Biology Area Courses 1		6-8
One Non-Organismal Marine Science Course 1		3-4
Total Hours		25-28

¹

See a list of course options under the Curricular Requirements section of the Marine Science program.

Concentration in Physical Science - Chemistry Track

Maine Certification Area: 350 Physical Science (CHE, PHY)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
CHE 110 & 110L	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab	4
CHE 111 & 111L	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab	4
CHE 201 & 201L	Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab	4
Select one of the following:		4-5
CHE 307 & 307L	Quantitative Analysis and Quantitative Analysis Lab
CHE 310 & 310L	Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Biochemistry Lab
PHY 110	General Physics I w/Lab	4
or PHY 210	University Physics I
PHY 111	General Physics II w/Lab	4
or PHY 211	University Physics II
Total Hours		24-25

Concentration in Physical Science - Multi-Disciplinary Track

Maine Certification Area: 350 Physical Science (CHE, PHY)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
CHE 110 & 110L	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab	4
CHE 111 & 111L	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab	4
CHE 201 & 201L	Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab	4
MAR 270 & 270L	Oceanography and Oceanography Lab	4
MAR 366	Adv Oceanography I:Bio/Geo	3
PHY 110	General Physics I w/Lab	4
or PHY 210	University Physics I
PHY 111	General Physics II w/Lab	4
or PHY 211	University Physics II
PHY 305	Revolutions of 20th Century Physics	3
Total Hours		30

Concentration in Physical Science - Physics Track

Maine Certification Area: 350 Physical Science (CHE, PHY)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
CHE 110 & 110L	General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab	4
CHE 111 & 111L	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab	4
PHY 110	General Physics I w/Lab	4
or PHY 210	University Physics I
PHY 111	General Physics II w/Lab	4
or PHY 211	University Physics II
PHY 208	(Energy and Climate Change)	3
PHY 305	Revolutions of 20th Century Physics	3
PHY 310	Biophysics: Structure & Motion	3
or PHY 320
Total Hours		25

Education Certification with Physical Education Concentration Curricular Requirements

The Physical Education Concentration includes 25 credits offered through the Exercise and Sport Performance Department. This 25-credit concentration needs to be added to either an Elementary or Middle and Secondary Education Major.

To complete this concentration a student can major in Elementary or Middle and Secondary Education and then add the 25-credit concentration enabling the student to be certified in Elementary or Middle and Secondary Education and get a Conditional Certification in Physical Education. Please note, Physical Education is not a stand-alone concentration.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
ATC 306	Psychology of Sport & Exercise	3
BIO 208 & 208L	Intro Anatomy & Physiology I and Intro Anatomy & Phys Lab 1	4
EXS 180	Motor Learning & Performance	3
EXS 205	Sport Youth Physiology	3
EXS 310	Kinesiology & Biomechanics	3
EXS 312	Foundations of Coaching	3
EXS 330 & 330L	Fitness Eval & Prescription and Fitness Evaluation Lab	3
EXS 340	Concepts of Strength&Condition	3
Total Hours		25

Academic and Technical Standards

This program requires an overall minimum 2.5 GPA in the major.

For the MSEd program, a student must have a 3.0 to graduate.

Field Experience

The faculty in the School of Education is committed to ongoing and frequent observation and involvement in schools. The teacher education programs at UNE have a specific competency-based focus to meet the Maine standards for teacher certification. All students engaged in teacher preparation will spend time in a field setting in each of the semesters for which they are registered for professional education courses. Involvement in the schools will be connected to specific, course-related tasks (e.g., observation, teaching lessons, conducting experiments, administering assessments, etc.). Transportation to and from schools is the responsibility of the student.

Advanced Standing

All students in education certification programs must apply for admission to Advanced Standing when they have completed at least three semesters and completed at least three education courses. To apply for Advanced Standing, students must develop a portfolio demonstrating how they have met proficiency in the following areas: a) teaching skills, knowledge, and disposition aligned with the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards; b) basic academic skills and c) professional skills. This portfolio is evaluated by a committee of education faculty and a pass/fail determination is made based on a holistic rubric.

Students not meeting the Advanced Standing criteria do not remain enrolled in a certification program and MUST change their major to a non- certification major. Students can reapply for Advanced Standing upon completion of each additional semester. Students must pass by the semester prior to scheduled student teaching (i.e., pass Dec. 1 for Spring student teaching; pass May 1 for Fall student teaching).

Student Teaching

Without specific permission from the School of Education Director, courses may not be taken during the internship semester, so all required coursework must be completed the semester before the internship. Admission to the internship is not guaranteed, and students must have passed Advanced Standing to apply.

The selection of individual internship sites will be made by the Certification and Placement Officer. Geographical location relative to UNE is a consideration. UNE has a collaborative relationship with many districts and selects both schools and teachers based on their interest in and ability to assist interns in demonstrating mastery of the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards. Placement in an internship is not guaranteed. The School of Education reserves the right to deny requests for courtesy internship placement for reasons it deems appropriate or necessary. The University, at its discretion, will not place students in internship settings 1) where an intern's children or relatives are enrolled, or 2) where a spouse or relative of an intern is currently employed. The School of Education, through its Certification and Placement Officer, will make a good-faith effort to negotiate an appropriate placement. Schools have the right to refuse placement requests. The 15-week student teaching experience must be done in a local Maine Public School that is in an established internship protocol with the University of New England. Students may not be permitted to accept a contracted teaching position (e.g., long-term substituting, year-long internship) before completing at least half a semester of student teaching internship.

However, student teaching interns may be permitted to sub on a day-to-day basis for their classroom teacher.

Professional Educator Review Board

All students enrolled in the internship must demonstrate their teaching competence with respect to Maine Common Core Teaching Standards before the Professional Educator Review Board (PERB). The Board is comprised of professional educators from area schools as well as UNE faculty. Students are required to develop a presentation reflecting their proficiency in meeting these state standards and present and defend the presentation in front of the Board. Passing PERB is a requirement for completion of the certification program and subsequently being recommended to the Maine State Department of Education for teacher licensure.

Completion Requirements

All coursework, including the internship, should be completed within a five-year timeframe. A delay beyond the five years might warrant the retaking of coursework. Furthermore, if state certification requirements change prior to your completion even within the five-year timeframe, those changes must be incorporated into a revised program plan, in order to meet state certification regulations.

Learning Outcomes

School of Education Learning Outcomes  

At the completion of their bachelor's degree, students will be able to:  

• Demonstrate mastery of the Maine Common Core Teaching Standards.  
• Demonstrate professionalism through accountability and engagement.  
• Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats.  
• Demonstrate appropriate dispositions as defined by professional expectations.  

After the completion of their master’s degree, students will be able to:  

• Apply education theory, frameworks, and scholarship to enhance professional teaching practices.  
• Use reflective practices to advance personal and professional growth in the role of an educator.  
• Foster equitable and inclusive pedagogical frameworks in addressing the multifaceted educational needs of all students.  
• Demonstrate professionalism consistent with the expectations of an online graduate student.