Project MAINEd
Maine Adaptive Intervention Network for Educators in Disabilities
Now recruiting prospective scholars!
Are you an education technician, provisional teacher, school-based professional or University of Maine undergraduate interested in becoming a certified special educator?
Project MAINEd offers eligible scholars an opportunity to pursue special education preparation at the University of Maine with grant-funded tuition support and stipends. Designed to address Maine’s shortage of fully qualified special educators, the project provides accessible pathways for current school professionals and undergraduate students preparing to enter the profession to earn their Master of Education (M.Ed.) in special education in our Maine Department of Education-approved Pathway 1 teacher preparation program.
Explore the opportunity. Learn about eligibility. Take the next step toward becoming a special educator.
The deadline to apply for the inaugural Project MAINEd cohort has passed. Please sign-up for the project mailing list to receive notices of future cohorts and application deadlines.
Funding is competitive. Eligibility for admission to the M.Ed. in special education does not guarantee selection as a funded scholar.
Preparing rural Maine educators to become fully certified special education teachers.
Strengthening Schools.
Expanding Opportunities for students with disabilities.
Project MAINEd stands for the Maine Adaptive Intervention Network for Educators in Disabilities. It is a five-year personnel-preparation initiative led by the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development and funded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
The project will support 35 scholars pursuing special education preparation through three pathways aligned with Maine’s K–12 special education certification requirements.
Project MAINEd focuses on making high-quality special education preparation accessible to rural, place-bound educators who may not be able to relocate, leave their jobs or attend traditional campus-based programs. By combining online coursework, tuition support, stipends, advising, mentoring and locally based clinical experiences, the project aims to help scholars complete their preparation while maintaining connections to their schools and communities.
Through this work, Project MAINEd seeks to strengthen Maine’s special education workforce and expand access to evidence-based instruction and inclusive supports for school-age students with disabilities.
Explore Your Pathway
M.Ed. in Special Education: High-Incidence Disabilities
For eligible scholars preparing to support students with high-incidence disabilities, including learning disabilities, other health impairments, and emotional or behavioral needs. Scholars build skills in evidence-based literacy and mathematics instruction, assessment, specially designed instruction, behavior support and inclusive classroom practices.
M.Ed. in Special Education: Low-Incidence Disabilities
For eligible scholars preparing to support students with autism, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairments and other extensive support needs.
Preparation emphasizes individualized instruction, accessible learning environments, assistive and instructional technology, functional and academic outcomes, and collaboration with families and other professionals.
Accelerated 4+1 Undergraduate-to-Graduate Pathway
For eligible University of Maine undergraduates interested in entering the special education workforce through an accelerated undergraduate-to-graduate pathway aligned with the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and K–12 special education certification. This pathway helps undergraduate students transition into graduate-level preparation while building the knowledge and skills needed to serve students with disabilities.
The appropriate pathway depends on each student’s academic background, admission status, program requirements, and certification goals. Contact the project team to discuss your options.
Project MAINEd is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, under the Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities program (ALN 84.325K).
This website was produced under the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, Award No.H325K260123. Celia Rosenquist serves as the project officer. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education. No official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any product, commodity, service, or enterprise mentioned in this website is intended or should be inferred.
Questions?
Email um.mained@maine.edu.
