Elementary and Special Education, Liberal Studies

Elementary Education/Liberal Studies

The Elementary Education/Liberal Studies Major provides a balanced program of liberal arts courses in a variety of academic fields, a planned sequence of professional courses, and practical field experiences that culminate in an extended teaching internship experience. Completion of the program qualifies graduates for Maryland State Department Certification in Elementary Education. Each student works closely with an academic advisor to ensure that the student obtains all the credits needed for the degree, as well as the requirements of the State Department of Education for Certification in Elementary Education.

For students in CAUS, the practical field experiences, including the teaching internship, are the only parts of the Program of Study offered during the day. These must be taken during the academic year when elementary schools are in session.

Elementary Education with Dual Certification in Special Education

Required Courses

The following courses are available to the student seeking to meet the course requirements for Maryland Certification in Special Education in addition to Certification through the approved program in Elementary Education. The student interested in pursuing this option is advised to begin coursework in the first year and to follow carefully the sequence outlined by the advisor. Students working toward dual certification will use special education courses in place of electives. They will take the Liberal Studies and Elementary Education courses listed previously and an additional 24 courses in Special Education. The student teaching experience can be accomplished during the same semester as the Elementary Education student teaching. More than 120 credits are needed to graduate with dual certification.

Degree candidates must complete the general education classes listed in Engage and Empower as well as liberal arts requirement designated by MSDE.