Major
Certification
School of Education
Through diverse instructional strategies, dual certifications, and international internship opportunities, the teacher education programs at Notre Dame offer a degree that prepares teachers to meet the learning needs of all children, and is also highly marketable to potential employers.
teacher working with students
Program Location

Available Majors

  • Elementary Education
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Special Education/Liberal Arts

Teacher Education Programs

  • Elementary Education
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary and Special Education
  • Elementary and Early Childhood Education
  • Early Childhood and Special Education
  • Art PreK-12
  • Vocal Music PreK-12
  • Secondary Education
    • Art
    • Biology
    • Business
    • Chemistry
    • Computer Studies
    • English
    • ESOL
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • World Languages (French, Spanish)
    • Physics
    • Social Studies

Dual Certifications

Unlike many other teacher preparation programs, most of our program completers are dual certified (in two, three or even four content areas).

The goal is to prepare teacher candidates to be able to teach all children regardless of learning style, differentiated or special needs, and racial or socio-economic status.

Dual or multiple certifications also increase the marketability of our graduates, furthering opportunities for meaningful employment.

Examples

  • Elementary Education, Early childhood Education, Special Education and TESOL
  • Mathematics and TESOL
  • Social Studies and Special Education

Additional Study Options

Course Matrix for Women's College Elementary Education/Liberal Arts BA Degree
Required Professional Courses Bachelor of Arts Degrees** - Elementary Education
 

Elem Education

Elem & Special Education

Elem & Early Childhood

Elem & TESOL

Elem, Special, and ECE

EDU-300 Technology for Instruction and Management

3

3

3

3

3

EDU-303 Elementary Reading Materials

3

3

3

3

3

EDU-357 Processes & Acquisition of Reading

3

3

3

3

3

EDU-252 or 253 or SPE 373 Clinical Field Experience

3

3

3

3

3

EDU-301 Educational Psychology

3

3

3

3

3

EDU-307 Social Studies in the Elementary School

3

3

3

3

3

EDU-308 Issues in ESOL

      

3

  

EDU-309 Instruction in Reading

3

3

3

3

3

EDU-310 Mathematics in the Elementary School

3

3

3

3

3

EDU-312 Science in the Elementary School

3

3

3

3

3

EDU-315 Curriculum Methods/Mat. for the Young Child

    

3

  

3

EDU-346 Methods and Materials ESOL

      

3

  

EDU-347 Assessing Second Language

      

3

  

EDU-360 Techniques of Teaching Reading & Writing to Students with Limited English Proficiency

      

3

  

EDU-402 American Education in Historical Perspective

3

3

3

3

3

EDU-409 Internship: Teaching ESOL K-12

      

6

  

EDU-410 Internship: Teaching in Early Childhood Educ.

    

6

    

EDU-411 Internship: Teaching in the Elementary School

16*

10

10

10

10

EDU-440 English Grammar for ESOL Teachers

      

3

  

EDU-460 Assessment of Reading

3

3

3

3

3

PSY-203 Child and Adolescent Development

3

3

3

3

3

SPE-326 Special Education for the Classroom Teacher

3

3

3

3

3

SPE-337 Communication Skills for the Special Educator

  

3

    

3

SPE-321 Methods of Teaching Students with Special Needs

  

3

    

3

SPE-344 Assessment in Special Education

  

3

    

3

SPE-421 Elementary Curriculum Design and Adaptation

  

3

    

3

SPE-475 Student Teaching in Special Education

  

6

    

6

TOTAL CREDITS

45

67

58

67

70

*16 credits for Women's College, 12 credits for College of Adult Undergraduate Studies

** Some programs may require coursework during the summer and/or winterim if you are seeking more than two areas of certification.

Course Matrix for Women's College Certification in Secondary Education with a BA Degree in a Content Area
Required Professional Courses Bachelor of Arts Degrees* - Secondary Education
 

Secondary Education

Secondary & Special Education

Secondary & TESOL

EDU-300 Technology for Instruction and Management

3

3

3

EDU-253 Clinical Field Experience: ESOL

    

3

EDU-301 Educational Psychology

3

3

3

EDU-308 Issues in ESOL

    

3

EDU-344 Teaching Reading & Writing in the Secondary Schools Content Areas I

3

3

3

EDU-346 Methods and Materials ESOL

    

3

EDU-347 Assessing Second Language

    

3

EDU-360 Techniques of Teaching Reading & Writing to Students with Limited English Proficiency

    

3

EDU-376 Clinical Field Experience Secondary

3

3

3

EDU-402 American Education in Historical Perspective

3

3

3

EDU-409 Internship: Teaching ESOL K-12

    

6

EDU 430-439 Methods of Teaching in the content area

3

3

3

EDU-413 Student Teaching in Secondary School

12

6

6

EDU-440 English Grammar for ESOL Teachers

    

3

EDU-451 Teaching Reading & Writing in the Secondary Schools Content Areas II

3

3

3

PSY-203 Child and Adolescent Development

3

3

3

SPE-326 Special Education for the Classroom Teacher

3

3

3

SPE-337 Communication Skills for the Special Educator

  

3

  

SPE-321 Methods of Teaching Students with Special Needs

  

3

  

SPE-344 Assessment in Special Education

  

3

  

SPE-373 Field Experience in Special Education

  

3

  

SPE-475 Student Teaching in Special Education

  

6

  

TOTAL CREDITS

42

51

57

* Some programs may require coursework during the summer and/or winterim if you are seeking more than two areas of certification.

Elementary Education/Liberal Studies Four-Year Plan

Sample program of study for the Women's College liberal studies/elementary education major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor. (See course descriptions for a list of required courses and description of course and program options.)

Fall Spring
First Year
NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education 4 Chemistry or Physical Science 4
ENG-101 College Writing 3 Foreign Language (if needed) 3
Physical Science or Biology 4 EDU-303 Elementary Reading Materials 3
Mathematics (120, 121, 122, 125) 3 MUS-202 Music for Teachers 3
Foreign Language 3 Philosophy (200-level) 3
[16 credits]   Physical Education 1
    [17 credits]  
Second Year
Physical Science or Biology 4 ART-208 Creative Arts 3
EDU-357 Processes and Acquisition/Reading 3 English Literature 3
PSY-203 Child/Adolescent Development 3 Mathematics (120, 121, 122, 125) 3
Mathematics (120, 121, 122, 125) 3 Sociology 3
RST-201 Intro to Biblical Studies 3 GEO-206 Geography 3
[16 credits]   COM-206 Public Speaking or
COM-106 Fundamentals of Oral Communication		 3
    [18 credits]  
 
Third Year

Pass PRAXIS Core before methods classes
History 3 Methods Class: EDU-309 Reading in Elementary School 3
Mathematics (120, 121, 122, 125) 3 Methods Class: EDU-310 Mathematics in Elementary School 3
EDU-301 Educational Psychology 3 Methods Class: EDU-307 Social Studies in Elementary School 3
Philosophy (300 or values) 3 Methods Class: EDU-312 Science in Elementary School 3
English Literature 3 [12 credits]  
SPE-325 Special Education for Teachers 3    
[18 credits]      
Fourth Year
EDU-411 Internship: Teaching in the Elementary School 16 English Literature 3
[16 credits]   EDU-402 American Education in History 3
    EDU-460 Assessment of Reading 3
    Religious Studies (300) 3
    History 3
    [15 credits]  

This program also requires that students complete courses during the Winterim session
First-Year Winterim: History
Second-Year Winterim: EDU-252 Clinical Field Experience: Elementary
Third-Year Winterim: EDU-300 Technology for Management and Instruction

Elementary Education/Liberal Studies & Early Childhood Education Certification Four-Year Plan

Sample program of study for the Women's College student enrolled in the elementary education/liberal studies with early childhood education certification major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.

See course descriptions for a list of required courses and description of course and program options.

Fall Spring
First Year
NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education 4 Chemistry or Physical Science 4
ENG-101 College Writing 3 English Literature 3
Physical Science or Biology 4 EDU-303 Elementary Reading Materials 3
History 3 MUS-202 Music for Teachers 3
Foreign Language 3 Mathematics (120, 121, 122, 125) 3
[16 credits]   Physical Education 1
    [17 credits]  
Second Year
Physical Science or Biology 4 ART-208 Creative Arts 3
EDU-357 Processes and Acquisition/Reading 3 Mathematics (120, 121, 122, 125) 3
Philosophy (200-level) 3 Sociology 3
COM-206 Public Speaking 3 GEO-206 Geography 3
Mathematics (120, 121, 122, 125) 3 English Literature 3
[16 credits]   RST-201 Introduction to Biblical Studies 3
    [18 credits]  
Third Year

Pass PRAXIS Core before methods classes
Philosophy/Religious Studies 3 EDU-315 Curriculum Method & Materials for Young Children 3
PSY-203 Child/Adolescent Development 3 Methods Class: EDU-309 Reading in Elem. School 3
SPE-326 Special Education for Teachers 3 Methods Class: EDU-309 Mathematics in Elem. School 3
EDU-301 Educational Psychology 3 Methods Class: EDU-307 Social Studies in Elementary School 3
Mathematics (120, 121, 122, 125) 3 Methods Class: EDU-312 Science in Elementary School 3
[15 credits]   [15 credits]  
Fourth Year
EDU-411 Internship: Teaching in the Elementary School 10 English Literature 3
EDU-410 Internship: Teaching Early Childhood Education 6 EDU-402 American Education in History 3
[16 credits]   EDU-460 Assessment of Reading 3
    Religious Studies (300) 3
    History 3
    [15 credits]  

This program also requires that students complete courses during the Winterim session:
First-year Winterim:

Elementary Education/Liberal Studies & Special Education Certification Four-Year Plan

Sample program of study for the Women's College student enrolled in the elementary education/liberal studies with special education certification major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor. (See course descriptions for a list of required courses and description of course and program options.)

Fall Spring
First Year
NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education 4 Chemistry or Physical Science 4
ENG-101 College Writing 3 English Literature 3
Physical Science or Biology 4 EDU-303 Elementary Reading Materials 3
Mathematics (120, 121, 122, 125) 3 MUS-202 Music for Teachers 3
Foreign Language 3 SPE-201 Introduction to Special Education 3
[16 credits]   Physical Education 1
    [17 credits]  
Second Year
Physical Science or Biology 4 ART-208 Creative Arts 3
EDU-357 Processes and Acquisition/Reading 3 Mathematics (120, 121, 122, 125) 3
Philosophy (200-level) 3 Sociology 3
COM-206 Public Speaking 3 GEO-206 Geography 3
SPE-344 Assessment Special Education 3 SPE-337 Communication Skills for Teachers 3
[16 credits]   RST-201 Introduction to Biblical Studies 3
    [18 credits]  
Third Year

Pass PRAXIS Core before methods classes
SPE-321 Methods of Teaching Students 
with Special Needs		 3 Methods Class: EDU-309 Reading in Elem. School 3
PSY-203 Child/Adolescent Development 3 Methods Class: EDU-310 Mathematics in Elem. School 3
Special Education 3 Methods Class: EDU-307 Social Studies in Elem. School 3
EDU-301 Educational Psychology 3 Methods Class: EDU-312 Science in Elem. School 3
Mathematics (120, 121, 122, 125) 3 [12 credits]  
[15 credits]      
Fourth Year
EDU-411 Internship: Teaching in the Elementary School 10 English Literature 3
SPE-475 Internship: Teaching Special Education 6 EDU-402 Am. Ed. in History 3
[16 credits]   EDU-460 Assessment of Reading 3
    Religious Studies (300) 3
    History 3
    Mathematics (120, 121, 122, 125) 3
    [18 credits]  

This program requires that students complete courses during the Winterim session:
First-Year Winterim: EDU-300 Technology for Management and Instruction
Second-Year Winterim: EDU-252 Clinical Field Experience: Elementary
Third-Year Winterim: SPE-373 Field Experience: Special Education
Fourth-Year Winterim: Philosophy 300- or 400-level course

http://catalog.ndm.edu/undergraduate-catalog/school-of-education

What to Expect Studying at Notre Dame of Maryland University

As a Nationally recognized NCATE-accredited teacher preparation program and the #1 private institution in Maryland for initial teacher certification, you can expect to benefit from small class sizes, expert faculty, and practical field experiences which can begin as early as your first year.

High Quality Programs

All of NDMU's award-winning teacher certification programs are nationally recognized by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and by the individual specialized professional associations; e.g., the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics.

Colette Pierce
Alum

Colette Pierce

Growth & Leadership

Alum, NDMU Class of 2020
Education, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Notre Dame has given me leadership opportunities on the field, in the classroom, and in campus activities. These experiences have shaped my leadership style and I have grown tremendously — as a mentor, programmer, captain, and student.

Teachers Academy of Maryland (TAM) Scholarship

NDMU offers 9 earned college credits and a merit scholarship of $12,000 per year for up to 4 years to any high school graduate of the TAM program that pursues a BA in Education at NDMU.

Learn More

Internship Opportunities

Internship placements are in professional development school environments through collaborative arrangements between Notre Dame and area school systems.

Teach Abroad

Education Careers

Graduates of NDMU are highly recruited for employment; many are offered teaching contracts even before completing their program of study.

See Our Award-Winning Teachers

For many, this first step in teaching leads to an entire career as a classroom teacher; for others it becomes a springboard for other education-related opportunities:

  • Master Teacher
  • Counselor
  • Media Specialist
  • Reading Specialist
  • Math Specialist
  • STEM Specialist
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • School-Based Administrator
  • Professional Development Coordinator
Faculty