Education & Human Development

Teacher Candidacy

Teacher Candidacy is the process of successfully completing and documenting academic, field experience and other relevant expectations required to take upper-level Education courses and to be eligible for student teaching. Students admitted to Teacher Candidacy status at the end of their sophomore year have proven their commitment to the profession through self-initiated field experiences and academic performance and have documented their work in a portfolio approved by the Teacher Education Faculty.

The College of Education and Human Development as a professional school with programs approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Maine Department of Education, requires all its students seeking teacher certification to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful beginning teachers.

Students on completion of their program will demonstrate a mastery of the NCATE Proficiencies and the Maine State Ten Standards for Results-Based Assessment for the Initial Certification of Teachers. Students do this through development of a portfolio that demonstrates – over the course of their professional studies – their dedication to teaching, and their ability to be reflective practitioners, to collaborate and synthesize theory and practice and to establish authentic teaching and learning environments, all core principles within the College’s Conceptual Framework.

It is recommended that all students entering the College as first-year students apply for Teacher Candidacy in the second semester of their sophomore year or the first semester of their junior year. Transfer students will need to apply as soon as possible. Students must pass the Praxis I Exam (pre-professional skills tests).

Teacher Candidacy status is required to enroll in all upper division education courses and student teaching. The Student Affairs Committee of the Teacher Education Faculty will grant full Candidacy, conditional status, or advise students on their status in the College. More information about the Teacher Candidacy process is available from the Advising Center.