Elementary Education (B.S.)
About
Our Elementary Education program builds on strong partnerships with school districts locally, statewide and beyond, allowing students to apply the knowledge, expertise and skill developed in the classroom to field experiences in a variety of schools and settings. Students in this major can choose to pursue initial teacher certification in General Elementary (grades K-6), Early Childhood Education (PreK-3), Middle-Level Education (5-8) and Special Education (K-12).
The College of Education and Human Development is the state’s largest and most comprehensive teacher preparation and training program with faculty who provide personalized, hands-on learning opportunities and field experiences tailored to meet your career and personal goals. Our Elementary Education program provides a strong grounding in the unique developmental considerations of elementary students, opportunities to build skill and knowledge around utilizing the latest technologies to enhance student learning, and asset-based educational practices for modern classrooms. Our student teachers spend hundreds of hours in schools and other educational settings, receiving mentorship from experienced master teachers and developing a strong educational philosophy for working with elementary-aged learners. Elementary Education majors can choose an Area of Specialization, allowing them to build a deep understanding of effective instruction in a specific content area.
Program Highlights
Requirements
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Areas of Specialization
Elementary Education majors work within the caring community of the College of Education and Human Development, while taking advantage of the resources available at Maine’s learner-centered research university. Our student teachers build on their core education classes with a strong liberal arts background, drawing from the many departments on campus to fulfill their Area of Specialization and general education requirements. Areas of Specialization include:
Advising & Support
The College of Education and Human Development Advising Center provides students with academic guidance and personal support before they set foot on campus through graduation and beyond. Our professional advising team and student support staff build genuine relationships and provide timely information to help you navigate your program, college life, internships, work and whatever else is on your plate.
Program Learning Outcomes
The Elementary Education curriculum is designed to help our graduates meet certain professional standards. Our student learning outcomes (SLOs) are adapted from the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC), a group of state education agencies and national educational organizations dedicated to the preparation, licensing and ongoing professional development of teachers.
Careers
Schools and districts around the United States are in need of highly qualified early-childhood, elementary and middle-grades teachers to address shortages and replace educators who retire or leave the profession for other reasons. Graduates of the elementary education program are automatically recommended for initial teacher certification in the State of Maine, and are able to easily obtain certification in other states as well as internationally. Other opportunities include careers in schools outside the traditional classroom role, such as a technology integrator, as well as work in non-school settings, such as research centers, museums and nonprofit agencies. Our students acquire skills they can use in a variety of careers, including the ability to collaborate, work effectively in team environments, and communicate clearly.
For students wishing to continue on to graduate school, a degree in elementary education is preparation for a variety of programs, including further work in general education, or specialties such as instructional technology, special education, educational leadership or STEM education.
Designated Teacher Shortage Areas
Each year, the U.S. Department of Education designates teacher shortage areas with input from state and local officials. This year, the Maine Department of Education requested input regarding designated teacher shortage areas for federal reporting, and released the following list of K-12 teacher shortage areas for the 2025-2026 school year:
Individuals providing classroom instruction in one of these designated areas may qualify for programs that offer deferment of loan repayments or reductions of teaching obligation. The full article is available from the Maine DOE Newsroom.
The University of Maine College of Education and Human Development offers several undergraduate and graduate programs that lead to certification in many of these areas.
At a Glance
College of Education & Human Development
Degree Level
Undergraduate Major
Degree Earned
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Mode of Study
In-Person
time to Complete Degree
120 Credits
Join the HonorS College
Open to students in all majors
Featured Courses
XXX 101
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XXX 101
A really, really, really Long course title goes here
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XXX 101
Research Learning Experience
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Scholarships
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Accreditation
The bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education is a Maine Department of Education (MDOE) Pathway 1 approved program. Contact Maine DOE for more information about certification and credentialing.
In addition, the College of Education and Human Development’s teacher preparation programs are nationally accredited by CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. CAEP accreditation is a seal of approval that assures quality in educator preparation and that our programs prepare new teachers to know their subjects, their students and have the training that allows them to enter the classroom ready to teach effectively.
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) statement
This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization & Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, in addition to the contact information needed to inquire further into the licensure requirements associated with this program.
Next Steps
Contact
International
Chadbourne Hall, Room 122
go.umaine.edu/international-undergraduate-admissions/
P
207.581.3437
F
207.581.2920
