Lesley Degree and Certificate Programs
ONLINE PROGRAMS
Certificate Programs
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Emergent Technologies
Internet & Society
Mathematics in Education
Online Teaching
Science in Education
Special Education
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Master Degree Programs
Ecological Teaching and Learning, M.S.
Effective Teaching, M.Ed.
Individually Designed Programs for Educators, M.Ed.
Mathematics Education, M.Ed.
Science in Education, M.Ed.
Educational Technology, M.Ed.
PROGRAMS OFFERED ON SITE
Master Degree Programs
Curriculum and Instruction in Integrated Teaching Through the Arts, M.Ed.
Special Education for General Educators, M.Ed.
LOW RESIDENCY PROGRAMS (residency takes place in Cambridge, MA)
Ph.D. in Educational Studies with Specialization in Adult Learning
Ph.D. in Educational Studies with Specialization in Educational Leadership
M.S. in Ecological Teaching and Learning
TEACHER CERTIFICATION FOR EDUCATORS in MAINE
Are you a current educator in Maine and interested in learning more about the process to add a level or an additional field to your teaching license? If so, read more to help guide you through the process.
The term "Endorsement" for Maine educators, refers to a notation on a certificate issued to a teacher that specifies the grades and subject area for which the certificate is valid. A certificate may bear one or more endorsements.
For information on adding an endorsement, visit the Department of Education website, and direct your attention to Chapter 115, Part II. This section provides a detailed description of requirements needed to add an endorsement to a current teaching certificate.
Students may have the option of earning a Teacher of Children with Disabilities (birth-5, K-8, or 7-12) endorsement by way of Certificate Eligibility Pathway 2. Students should complete the requirements listed below and apply directly to the Maine Department of Education.
Endorsement Requirements:
- Hold an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Complete full 24-credit Special Education certificate program
- Pass Maine content area assessment (Praxis II)
- Pass basic Skills Test in Reading, writing, and mathematics (Praxis I)
- Pass pedagogical knowledge and skills assessment at appropriate grade level
- Complete a minimum of 15 weeks of full-time student teaching or a combination of part-time and full-time student teaching in the amount equivalent to 15 weeks within endorsement area at appropriate grade level
Student teaching is not a component of Lesley's 24-credit Special Education program; however, a student may receive a waiver for this requirement upon completion of one (1) full year of successful teaching under a targeted need certificate, a conditional certificate, or a transitional endorsement in this endorsement area at the specified grade level. A transitional endorsement is issued to a certified teacher who does not meet all of the requirements for the endorsement, as specified in Chapter 115 Part I. A transitional endorsement shall be issued only if the applicant holds a provisional or professional teacher certificate, has been assigned to teach the subject or grade level for which the transitional endorsement is sought, and completes 6 credits in the content area endorsement.
Students may have the option of earning a Special Education Consultant endorsement by way of Certificate Eligibility Pathway 2. Students would need to complete the requirements listed below and apply directly to the Maine Department of Education.
Endorsement Requirements:
- Hold an earned master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
- Complete full 24-credit Special Education certificate program
- Complete a minimum of four years of successful full-time experience as a teacher of students with disabilities, or as a speech and language clinician
- Complete training in two or more areas of disability (mental retardation, hearing impairments (including deafness), visual impairments (including blindness), emotional disability, orthopedic impairments, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, or specific learning disabilities)
- Pass pedagogical knowledge and skills assessment at appropriate grade level
Please note it is important that students interested in earning an endorsement through Lesley programs contact the Maine Department of Education teacher licensing office prior to registration to ensure that you are informed of the certification requirements needed to receive an endorsement.
Authorization and Educator Licensure in Maine
Authorization: Lesley University is authorized to offer programs in Maine based on the following process: Lesley University is authorized by the Maine Department of Education to offer postsecondary programs to residents of this state.
Educator Licensure: Please note that higher education authorization and educator licensure approval are separate entities. For more information on educator licensure, visit the
Maine Department of Education.
Faculty Spotlight
Stephanie Spadorcia
Associate Professor
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