Education and Human Development

Overview

Associate Dean: Andrea Stairs-Davenport; Director of Academic Administration: Kimberly Warren; Director of Center for Education Policy, Applied Research, and Evaluation: Amy Johnson; Department of Counseling Chair: Adele Baruch; Department of Educational and School Psychology Chair: Jamie Pratt; Department of Literacy, Language and Culture Chair: Melinda Butler; Department of Special Education: Rachel Brown; Department of Teacher Education Chair: Flynn Ross

• Administrative Office, 8 Bailey Hall, Gorham, ME 04038
• USM Admissions, Abromson Center, Portland, ME 04104-9300
• Center for Educational Policy, Applied Research, and Evaluation, 140 School Street, Gorham, ME 04038
• Office of Educator Preparation, 8 Bailey Hall, Gorham, ME, 04038
• English for Speakers of Other Languages, Portland, ME, 04104
• Professional Development Center, 8 Bailey Hall, Gorham, ME 04038
• Southern Maine Partnership, 8 Bailey Hall, Gorham, ME 04038

Faculty by Program:

Adult and Higher Education: Assistant Professor: McRobbie
Counseling: Professor: Bernacchio;  Associate Professors: Baruch, Katsekas; Assistant Professor: Correa, Yasui; Lecturer: Katopis
Educational Leadership: Professor: Beaudry, Associate Professor: Stewart-McCafferty; Assistant Professors: Atkinson Duina
Educational Psychology and School Psychology: Professor: Steege; Assistant Professors: Pratt, Wickerd; Lecturer: Jefferson
Literacy, Language and Culture: Professor Stairs-Davenport; Associate Professor: Lapidus; Assistant Professor: Butler, Siffrinn
Special Education: Professor: Kimball; Assistant Professor: Brown
Teacher Education: Professor: Whitney; Associate Professors: Hammer, Kuech, Ross, Assistant Professor: Malone, Schmitt; Lecturer: Needleman

The School of Education and Human Development (SEHD), a division of the College of Management and Human Service, is proud to continue the strong commitment to education and service demonstrated by USM’s predecessor institutions, beginning with Gorham Normal School in 1878. The School provides for the preparation and professional growth of educators and human development professionals through collaborative efforts with schools and agencies; other colleges at USM; local, state, and national educational networks; and the communities of southern Maine.

The School of Education and Human Development is composed of seven programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level: Adult and Higher Education, Counselor Education, Educational Leadership, Educational Psychology and School Psychology, Literacy Education and ESL, Special Education, and Teacher Education. Through each of these programs, the School prepares professionals for teaching, counseling, school psychology, administration, and teacher leadership. The content knowledge, skills, and understandings needed for these areas form the heart of our programs. Common to all of these fields is an emphasis on connections and partnerships, reflection and critical inquiry, diversity, and performance assessment.

State Approval and National Accreditation

Our undergraduate and graduate educator preparation programs are state approved and nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Our Counselor Education program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).

Tk20 Online Data Management System for Educator Preparation Programs and Pathways

Tk20 by Watermark is the comprehensive web-based, assessment management and reporting system used by all students in Educator Preparation programs at USM. All undergraduate and graduate students who matriculate into an Educator Preparation program at USM and are accepted as a candidate for their internship/student teaching year are required to subscribe to Tk20. Students use Tk20 to provide evidence they have mastered state and professional standards for their profession. The subscription fee of $103 covers some of the expenses related to the administration and assessment of the program. For loan purposes, Tk20 is eligible for consideration as part of educational costs. The subscription is a one-time payment and must be made by each student after they have passed their candidacy process and before the first semester of their internship year. Subscription instructions are posted on the Office of Educator Preparation website at http://usm.maine.edu/educator-preparation.

Please note Professional Education Council Policy: In order for USM’s Education Preparation Unit program completers to be recommended by the institution to the Maine Department of Education for certification or licensure, the candidate must provide evidence of meeting all certification requirements including proficiency on the standards relevant to her/his state-approved professional program and this evidence must be compiled and assessed within the context of the Unit’s data management system (i.e., Tk20).

Assessment Benchmarks

Undergraduate students in initial teacher certification pathways must submit a formal Declaration Application in Tk20 during the first year at USM and/or before completing 45 credits. In order to start an internship, initial teacher certification students are required to complete the Candidacy Review Process. Final recommendation for certification will only be conferred upon successful completion of all program elements and State of Maine requirements.

Teacher Education Programs

We have a rich history of preparing teachers since the founding of Gorham Normal School in 1878. Currently, we have undergraduate pathways for, elementary and middle, and high school teaching. Our teacher education program is distinct: students learn to teach in real world settings through field experiences beginning in their first year and receive superior content preparation, earning a degree in elementary educartion or in a liberal arts or science field.

We offer the following teacher education pathways:

• Elementary Education, B.S.  
• Self Designed Major in STEM (science and math)  

The following majors have secondary teacher education pathways:

• Biology  
• Chemistry  
• English  
• Environmental Science  
• Geography - Anthropology  
• History  
• Linguistics
  • Linguistics, French Linguistics Concentration, K-12 Teacher Education Pathway, B.A.  
  • Linguistics, Spanish Linguistics Concentration, K-12 Teacher Education Pathway, B.A.  
• Mathematics  
• Natural and Applied Sciences  
• Physics  

In addition to the teacher education program the School of Education and Human Development offers degrees and certificate programs in the following areas of study.

Undergraduate

• Athletic Coaching Certificate  
• Athletic Coaching Minor  
• Educational Studies Minor  

Graduate Programs

Adult Education

• Master of Science in Adult and Higher Education
• Post-Master’s Certificate of Advanced Study in Adult Learning

Counseling

• Master of Science in Counseling with concentrations in:
  • Clinical Mental Health
    • Family Systems Expertise Area
    • Substance Abuse Counseling Expertise Area
  • Rehabilitation
  • Clinical Rehabilitation
  • School
• Post-Master’s Certificate of Advanced Study in Counseling
• Certificate of Graduate Study in Culturally Responsive Practices in Education and Human Development
• Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community Certificate

Educational Leadership

• Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
• Master of Science in Education in Teacher Leadership
  • Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
  • Self-Design
• Post-Master’s Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership
• Certificate of Graduate Study in Assistant Principal
• Ph.D. in Public Policy with a Concentration in Educational Leadership and Policy (a joint degree with the Muskie School of Public Service)

Educational Psychology

• Master of Science in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis
• Master of Science in Educational Psychology with a concentration in School Psychology
• Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (Post-Master’s)

Literacy, Language, and Culture

• Master of Science in Education in Literacy Education
• Master of Science in Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
  • Initial K-12 ESL Certification
• Post-Master’s Certificate of Advanced Study in Literacy Education
• Post-Master’s Certificate of Advanced Study in English as a Second Language
• Certificate of Graduate Study in English as a Second Language
• Certificate of Graduate Study in Literacy

School Psychology

• Doctor of Psychology in School Psychology

Special Education

• Master of Science in Special Education, with concentrations in:
  • Effective Instruction and Assessment for Students with Suspected and Identified Disabilities
  • Pre-Service: Teaching Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities (for initial teacher certification in 282)
• In-Service (for already certified teachers)
• Integrated General Education and Special Education
• Certificate of Graduate Study in Gifted and Talented

Teaching and Learning

• Master of Science in Education in Teaching and Learning (ETEP)
• Certificate of Graduate Study in Teaching and Assessment Practices to Meet Learning Expectations

Professional Licensure and Certification Notice

Students who are pursuing degrees leading to application for professional licensure or certification, and/or who will be participating in clinical placements, internships, or practica through their USM program should be aware that their host facility may require a criminal background check, fingerprinting, or drug screening. In addition, teacher education pathways and programs require that students submit evidence of their criminal history record check prior to field experiences and internships. In such situations, each student is responsible for obtaining and paying for the background check or other screening process and for delivering required documentation to the facility. Although the University will make reasonable efforts to place admitted students in field experiences and internships, it will be up to the host facility to determine whether a student will be allowed to work at that facility. Students should further be aware that a criminal record may jeopardize licensure by the state certification body. Students may consult the certification body corresponding to their intended occupation for more details. Successful completion of a program of study at USM does not guarantee licensure, certification, or employment in the relevant occupation.

Scholarships

The School of Education and Human Development has limited tuition scholarships available for continuing SEHD students. Awards are based on academic merit, professional promise, and financial need. Recipients must be currently matriculated intending to take six or more credits per semester during the following year. Applications for undergraduate scholarships are available each fall from the SEHD, 8 Bailey Hall, and are due December 1. Applications can also be found on the USM Scholarship website.

Centers/Programs

The School of Education and Human Development houses the following centers:

Assessment Center

Coordinator: Garry Wickerd

The Assessment Center is a resource for SEHD faculty and students. Staffed by a graduate assistant, under the supervision of faculty from the counselor education, school psychology, and special education programs, the Assessment Center lends assessment materials to students and faculty for course assignments and training activities. The Assessment Center has a collection of over 300 achievement, career, behavior, cognitive, and personality tests. For additional information and hours of operation, contact the Assessment Center at 407 Bailey Hall, Gorham, ME 04038; (207) 780- 5671;  assessment.center@maine.edu.

Center for Education Policy, Applied Research, and Evaluation

The Center for Education Policy, Applied Research, and Evaluation (CEPARE) is the USM home of the Maine Education Policy Research Institute (MEPRI), an institute jointly funded by the Maine State Legislature, the Maine Department of Education, and the University of Maine System. MEPRI provides independent, non-partisan research to inform education policy and practice, and to identify and evaluate education strategies that improve outcomes for Maine students. In addition to MEPRI projects, CEPARE assists school districts, agencies, organizations, and University faculty by providing program evaluation, data analysis, and other technical assistance. Publications and information for the Maine Education Policy Research Institute can be found at http://mepri.maine.edu. More information can be found on the Center’s Web site at http://www.usm.maine.edu/cepare or by contacting CEPARE at the University of Southern Maine, 140 School Street, Gorham, ME 04038; (207) 780-5044.

Office of Educator Preparation

The Office of Educator Preparation is the professional education unit responsible for oversight and administration of Educator Preparation at the University. The Office of Educator Preparation is responsible for:

• Leading USM faculty in strategic educator preparation program planning at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
• Fostering the conceptual framework, core values and core practices of USM educator preparation programs;
• Managing the educator preparation assessment system;
• Coordinating field experiences, practica, and internships in collaboration with educator programs and partner schools and agencies;
• Collaborating with the Director of the Southern Maine Partnership and educator preparation program faculty to develop and maintain educator preparation partnerships;
• Managing state program approval for professional educator preparation and national accreditation for teacher education, including the analysis, synthesis and dissemination of data for state and national reports;
• Representing USM educator preparation in state and national projects and initiatives.
• Educator Preparation serves as liaison to Maine Department of Education’s offices of Certification and Higher Education on matters pertaining to certification and program approval requirements and advises program faculty as needed for compliance with state regulations.

For additional information and hours of operation contact the Office of Educator Preparation at 8 Bailey Hall, Gorham, ME 04038; (207) 780-5400, or visit http://www.usm.maine.edu/educator-preparation

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Director: Andrea Vasquez

Intensive English Language Program (IELP)

The Intensive English Language Program (IELP), located on the USM Portland campus, is designed to meet the English language needs of international students whose first language is not English and who wish to study at USM or other universities in the United States. The primary focus is to help students improve their skills in academic reading, writing, speaking and listening. The program also focuses on study skills and provides the cultural orientation necessary for success at the university level. All IELP classes are taught by qualified faculty with at least a Master’s Degree. Because all classes are small (10-15 students), each student receives individualized attention. All instruction is based on learning English through communicative teaching approaches and classes are highly interactive.

Admissions Pathway Program (APP)

The Admissions Pathway Program (APP) program is an academic support program offered through the University of Southern Maine’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) department. Students in this program are multilingual writers or nonnative English speakers who who require additional academic writing instruction and support in their initial semesters at USM. All APP students work with a specialized academic advisor to select courses which offer key elements to aid in that student’s academic success and will prepare the student for success within a desired major. Courses in the program are credit-bearing. Once students have completed the APP requirements, they  will work with an advisor to declare a major.

Non-Credit Community-Member Coursework

The ESOL program, located on the USM Portland campus, also offers intermediate to advanced-level coursework designed to meet the English language needs of community members whose first language is not English. The primary focus of this coursework is to help students improve their skills in academic reading, writing, speaking and listening to prepare for undergraduate and graduate level degree programs or writing-centered professional positions. Courses also focus on study skills and provide the cultural and academic orientation necessary for success at the university level. All courses are taught by qualified faculty with at least a Master’s Degree. Because all classes are small (10-15 students), each student receives individualized attention. All instruction is based on learning English through communicative teaching approaches, and classes are highly interactive. Courses are rigorously paced with independent study outside of class session required at each level.

For a listing of courses for the ESOL program click here. For more information about programs, placement assessments, or course scheduling, please contact: our office at  (207) 780-4419, usmesol@maine.edu. Or visit: http://usm.maine.edu/esol

Professional Development Center

The Professional Development Center (PDC) is the administrative unit for outreach and professional development services of the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD). Its mission is to provide sustained, high-quality professional development that enables K- 12 educators and human resource professionals to continue learning throughout their careers. The PDC works collaboratively with SEHD departments, programs, and other centers to complement their outreach missions and support coordinated efforts; with the Maine Department of Education to provide resources for teacher re-certification and endorsement; with K-12 schools to design and deliver professional development tailored to school districts’ specific needs; with human resource organizations to offer professional development opportunities for counselors, school psychologists, and adult educators; and with nonprofit organizations and professional associations. The PDC works with SEHD and school partners to develop, deliver, and administer credit and noncredit courses, workshops, and conferences.

To learn more about services provided by the Professional Development Center, visit the PDC website at http://www.usm.maine.edu/pdc or call (207) 780-5400. The PDC offices are located on the USM Gorham campus in 8 Bailey Hall. The mailing address is: 37 College Ave, Gorham, ME 04038.

Programs

• Elementary Education, B.S.

• Athletic Coaching Minor
• Educational Studies Minor

• Athletic Coaching Certificate

• Secondary Teacher Education Pathway