Two accredited education degree programs in Maine meet CAEP standards for training undergrads to instruct youth during their most formative school years. Located in northern New England, Maine is inhabited by 1.33 million people, 4.9 percent of which are under age 5. The Pine Tree State’s $52 billion economy has a growing education sector to address rising student enrollment. Many of Maine’s 242 school administrative units, including the big Portland Public Schools and Lewiston School Department, have created Pre-K programs. Early childhood educators are also needed by the Maine Children’s Growth Council, Head Start, and Child Development Services (CDS). The BLS recognized the Dover-Durham, NH-ME Metro for the fourth highest U.S. concentration of preschool teaching jobs! Get certified to inspire Maine’s youngest students in these bachelor’s programs for early childhood education.
University of Maine
College of Education and Human Development
Led by President Susan J. Hunter, the University of Maine is one of America’s nine public, co-educational institutions with land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant RU/VH status to educate more than 11,200 Black Bears on a $179.9 million endowment from 660 rural acres in Orono near the Stillwater River. Ranked the 206th “Top Public University” on Niche, UMaine is deemed the Northeast’s 93rd best bang for the buck in Washington Monthly. With 13 accredited education degree programs in Maine, the CEHD is also named the country’s 101st best teaching school by the U.S. News.
Bachelor’s in Child Development and Family Relations: Early Childhood Education Concentration
Featuring a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, the Bachelor’s in Child Development and Family Relations at UMaine offers a CAEP-accredited, state-approved Early Childhood Education Concentration for undergrads to satisfy the requirements for K-3 teacher certification and the Birth-Age 5 Endorsement. Rooted in liberal arts, the 120-credit B.S. degree focuses on the methods used to promote cognitive development and academic learning in young children. Currently charging $8,370 in-state and $27,240 out-of-state yearly, the program includes courses like early intervention, literacy, and classroom management with labs on TeachLivE. Practicum and student-teaching hours are satisfied as 140+ districts across Maine. Majors also gain experience at the Katherine Miles Durst Child Development Learning Center and join Kappa Omicron Nu.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
Shibles Hall, Room 101
168 College Avenue
Orono, ME 04469
(207) 581-2412
maryellen.mahoneyoneil@maine.edu
https://umaine.edu/edhd/undergraduate/cdfr/early-childhood-education/
University of Maine at Farmington
College of Education and Human Development
Established by the Normal School Act in 1863, the University of Maine at Farmington is a public, co-educational COPLAC liberal arts institution in the North Atlantic Conference that’s occupying 55 rural acres in Franklin County off U.S. Route 2 to educate over 2,000 Beavers. Crowned the 52nd best university for contribution to the public good in Washington Monthly, UMF is ranked the North’s seventh best college, third best for vets school, and fourth top public university by the U.S. News. Known for graduating seven Maine “Teacher of the Year” recipients since 2006, the College of Education is declared America’s 338th best college for education on Niche with an admission rate of 85 percent.
Early Childhood Education Major
Another of the accredited education degree programs in Maine offering certification for teaching children from birth to age eight is UMF’s Early Childhood Education Major, which presents a 120-credit bachelor’s to prepare caring, confident teachers of the 21st century. With an average class size of 19, the CAEP-accredited program provides mentoring from full-time, tenure-track faculty and hands-on practice in the on-site Child Care Center. From a family context, courses explore literacy acquisition, social studies inquiry, expressive activities, and developmental issues. Majors access children’s literature in the Loraine J. Spenciner Curriculum Materials Center. Practica and two student-teaching blocks are required at diverse placements, such as W.G. Mallett Elementary, New Sharon Head Start, Winthrop Grade School, and Crayon Country Preschool.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
246 Main Street
Farmington, ME 04938
(207) 778-7050
umfadmit@maine.ed
www.umf.maine.edu/majors-academics/early-childhood-education/
According to the BLS, Maine employs 1,220 preschool, 920 kindergarten, and 5,850 elementary school teachers for an average annual salary of $50,830. Earning Maine’s Early Childhood Teacher endorsement will require graduating with at least a bachelor’s degree. Colleges accredited by the CAEP are certain to provide high-quality training with plentiful practice in young children’s classrooms. Work toward your goals with the accredited education degree programs in Maine at the University of Maine’s Orono and Farmington locations.
Related Resource: 50 Most Affordable Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Online
