Overview
Contact: Debbie Piper
The Teaching program provides students with the content, pedagogical background and experiences necessary for initial certification in elementary (Grades 1-6), secondary (Grades 7-12) (including biology, chemistry, English, mathematics, physics, and social studies) or PreK-12 (art, physical education and Spanish) education. The program has been evaluated and approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Maryland State Department of Education.
The Teaching program embraces a rich combination of research based learning theory, effective teaching practices with significant public school experiences, opportunities for research within the public school setting, and encouragement to reflect upon classroom practice. National standards provide the basis for the pedagogical and content knowledge throughout the Teaching program.
Successful completion of the Teaching program will result in the candidate becoming eligible for initial teacher certification by the Maryland State Department of Education and the awarding of a Master of Science degree by McDaniel College.
McDaniel College is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. McDaniel is working toward Initial Accreditation Status for its educator preparation programs with an anticipated accreditation review in Spring 2024.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the program must submit:
- application for graduate study;
- official transcripts verifying completion of an appropriate undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a 2.75 GPA in all content courses;
- satisfactory interview with program coordinator;
- three professional letters of recommendation
To begin the program, candidates must:
- Complete a criminal background record check through fingerprinting and disclosures
- Complete a program plan developed in consultation with the Program Coordinator
To continue past the foundation courses (EDU580/581), candidates must take PRAXIS Core(or have achieved qualifying scores on the SAT, ACT, or GRE). If the student does not have a passing Praxis Core score or a minimum ACT or SAT score, the student will meet with their advisor to discuss an alternate pathway in lieu of the basic skills requirement via the Praxis, SAT or ACT score. Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA to remain in the program.
Certification Course Sequences
Pending transcript analysis by the Program Coordinator, additional content courses may be required for certification.
Elementary Sequence:
Course required from undergraduate studies: American History, Children’s Literature, Life Science and Physical Science (12 credits), Mathematics (9 credits), Child Psychology or Lifespan Psychology, and Issues in Inclusive Education.
Total Credit Hour Requirement: 45
Secondary Sequence:
Course requirements from undergraduate studies: Earned major in subject area of certification, an Adolescent Psychology or Lifespan Psychology course.
Choose the appropriate methods course and matching practicum for the intended area of certification:
Total Credit Hour Requirement: 35
PreK - 12 Sequence:
Course requirements from undergraduate studies: Earned major in subject area of certification or equivalent as determined by transcript review, a Child and Adolescent Psychology course, or a Lifespan Psychology course.
Choose the two (2) appropriate methods courses and matching practicums for the intended area of certification:
Total Credit Hour Requirement: 35
Exit Requirements
Students must complete all courses required for the degree to include the practicum and internship and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Additional exit requirements include passing scores on a final standards-based portfolio: unit plan, edTPA requirements, and action research project.Individuals pursuing certification in physical education must take a fitness test at least twice during their teacher education preparation program and must agree to be committed to their own physical fitness.
In order to be awarded the MS in Teaching degree, students will be required to take all Maryland State Department of Education tests required for certification in the students respective content area and have scores reported to McDaniel College. McDaniel College will not post the degree to the transcript until all scores are received.
Students should be aware that while McDaniel requires students to take all required tests which lead to Maryland certification in the students respective content area, MSDE does require passing scores in addition to completing a Maryland approved teacher preparation program.Students who are seeking teacher certification in states outside of Maryland should check with the state’s board for more information regarding education, testing, and other requirements for licensure and whether a student who obtains a Maryland teacher certification is eligible to obtain licensure as a teacher from this state’s board.
For more information related to Maryland State Department of Education Teacher licensure requirements:
https://marylandpublicschools.org/Pages/default.aspx
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-2595
Phone: 410-767-0406
E-mail: info.msde@maryland.gov
State Authorization
McDaniel is an approved institutional member of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). Membership in SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses/programs offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. For more information about SARA, including the states currently participating in the agreement, visit http://www.nc.sara.org.
SARA membership allows McDaniel to accept and deliver our programs/courses online to students in 49 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Students who reside in California, currently the only state not a member of SARA, should contact the admissions office prior to application to verify if you are eligible to participate in the online program of interest.
For more information about state authorization requirements and complaint resolution, visit https://www.mcdaniel.edu/academics/graduate-professional-studies/state-authorization-requirements-complaints-resolution
Professional Licensure
Requirements for professional licensure in fields such as accounting, education, counseling, psychology, and social work vary from state to state. McDaniel’s academic programs listed below are designed to meet Maryland’s licensure requirements and may not meet requirements from other states. Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure, McDaniel highly recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing board where you wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements. You may also contact McDaniel at gps@mcdaniel.edu to inquire.
For more important information regarding professional licensure and the completion of McDaniel degrees, please review our Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement.
