This program is designed for undergraduate students who enter USM with a strong interest in teaching at the elementary school level. Students in this program receive intensive advising and mentoring throughout their undergraduate years, strong subject area preparation, and yearly field experiences in selected professional development school sites. Each year, students take complementary coursework in the liberal arts, courses toward an academic major, and a professional preparation strand which includes an integrative seminar designed to help students make connections among the disciplines they are studying. Students graduate with a bachelor's degree in a major of their choice, other than education. In addition, they complete a year-long internship at one of USM's partner school sites that culminates in a recommendation for teacher certification.
Some coursework counts towards the master of science in education degree.
Acceptance into this program is contingent upon admission to USM and successful completion of the University's writing and mathematics proficiency requirements. Other acceptance criteria include a strong GPA from previous study and fewer than 30 previously earned college credits, standardized test scores, writing ability, recommendations, and experience working with children.