Education & Human Development

Graduate Programs

Elementary and Secondary Education
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The M.Ed. program in Elementary Education and Secondary Education (Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction) is designed for elementary, middle level and high school teachers who, while continuing a career in classroom teaching, want to assume responsibility and leadership roles to enhance learning and development of students while addressing state and federal standards in the areas of curriculum, assessment and instruction. The M.Ed. program is offered both on campus and through Graduate Outreach. A minimum of 33 credits is required.

The basic program for this M.Ed. program includes the following course requirements:

• EDC 533, Dynamics or the Curriculum
• EDS 520, Educational Assessment
• EDS 615, Seminar in Methods of Teaching
• EDG 657, Practicum
• A four-course concentration approved by the adviser, in areas such as literacy education, instructional technology, science education, special education, or English as a Second Language, or in foundations of education. For this degree program offered through Graduate Outreach, the concentration includes the following four foundations area courses: EAD 652 (Dynamics of Change in Schools), EDA 521 (Evaluation of Instruction), EDH 540 (Students at Risk and their Families), and EDH 600 (Seminar: Education in the U.S.).
• Three electives approved by their advisers (courses in technology, in special education and in content areas are strongly recommended).

The M.S. degree program in Elementary Education and Secondary Education (Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction) is a thesis program intended for practicing teachers who are considering continuing graduate education to pursue a doctoral program in Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction and/or related fields. The M.S. program is offered only on campus. It requires 30 credits of coursework, including EDC 533, EDS 520, EDS 615, six credits of thesis and three credits of research methods -- EDG 595 (Educational Research), EDS 521 (Statistical Methods in Education I), EDS 571 (Qualitative Research: Theory, Design and Practice), or equivalent. Other requirements include a three-course concentration approved by the adviser and one elective, approved by the thesis committee. The thesis committee may require a second research methods course, depending on the student’s prior coursework and experience.

The Certificate of Advanced Study in Elementary Education and Secondary Education (Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction) is available to students who have completed an M.Ed. or MAT (non-thesis) or M.S. or M.A. (thesis) degree program. Students who have not already completed EDC 533, EDS 520, and EDS 615, or their equivalents at the graduate level, are required to complete those courses in addition to their CAS coursework and no later than the completion of their third CAS course. Students who wish to meet requirements for the Curriculum Coordinator Certificate in the State of Maine could include coursework in Educational Leadership necessary for that certificate in their CAS programs. The Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) provides a cohesive program of professional development beyond the master's level for educational specialists. The program of study is individually planned by the student with his or her advisor.

A minimum of 30 semester hours of work beyond the master's level is required to earn the C.A.S. Candidates must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours in professional education coursework at the 500- and/ or 600-level at the University of Maine.

All work for the C.A.S. must be completed within a six-year period. A master's degree in the C.A.S. subject matter is required for admission to the program.

Social Studies Education
(M.A., M.S., M.Ed., C.A.S.)

The 33-semester hour master's level program is individually planned by the student and advisor within the regulations of the College and the Graduate School. Six of the credits must be in two seminars or in a seminar and a practicum.

The program includes a minimum of 15 hours in social studies and professional education courses, 12 hours in social sciences, and six hours of electives. A Master of Arts and/or a Master of Science degree program would include 12 semester hours in the academic fields of the social sciences, 12 semester hours in social studies and professional education, and six semester hours centering around thesis work.

The C.A.S. in Social Studies Education is a 30-hour program designed to improve the performance and effectiveness of teachers and administrators as educators. The C.A.S. program includes 12 semester hours in social studies education, nine credit hours in related course work in professional education, and nine credit hours in the social sciences.

Science Education
(M.S., M.Ed., C.A.S.)

Graduate programs in Science Education provide coursework in professional education and in a specialized science or environmental field. Studies usually include specialization in a specific area such as a physical, biological or earth science, and an emphasis on a specific level such as elementary or secondary. Specialization in environmental education includes environmental studies or natural resources, marine education, and environmental problems.

Master's candidates should have degrees in a specific science or science education. Non-thesis (M.Ed.) students complete a 33-credit hour program. Students in a M.S. or M.Ed. Science Education program take15-18 credit hours in a major science subject area. Students in Environmental Education take18 credit hours in general or specific environmental studies, including basic science as well as humanities and social sciences. Study may be broadened to include areas such as outdoor education, recreation, and community education.

The M.Ed. Plus Certification program allows the student to satisfy the Maine requirements for secondary science teacher certification while completing the 30-credit hour core and 12 credits of electives. The program includes one full semester of teaching internship in a local school.

The C.A.S. program includes an individually planned course of study developed by the student and advisor. The program may include half the work in professional education and the other half in an area of concentration such as science or environmental studies.

Kinesiology and Physical Education
(M.S., M.Ed.)

Faculty specialists employ the latest technology to measure and analyze physical response, development and deviation to provide understanding and application of the theory and techniques of kinesiology, health and fitness. Areas of concentration include Curriculum and Instruction, Exercise Science and Adaptive Physical Education. Graduate assistantships are available on campus and with community agencies. Thesis and non-thesis options are offered.

The master's degree is granted upon completion of a sequenced program of study, which includes a minimum of 33 semester hours, followed by a comprehensive written and oral examination. Coursework includes core requirements (Introduction to Research, Current Studies), pedagogical courses, physical education electives, and electives from the disciplines at or above the 400 level.