All programs incorporate an extended internship experience lasting over several semesters.
The Education Department has as its primary purpose the preparation of teachers for the elementary and secondary schools. In addition, students may make special arrangements to prepare for early childhood or preschools. These last two aim to have each student gain an understanding of the learners' characteristics, the curriculum, the methods of teaching, the theories of learning and teaching, the relationship between theory and practice, and the school as a social institution. The elementary education program, the special education program, and most areas of the secondary education program have been approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. A student who satisfactorily fulfills the standards of the programs and meets the Maryland State Department of Education's Essential Dimensions of Teaching is recommended for certification in Maryland.