Education Majors and Certification Programs

Students may enter certification programs as undergraduates majoring in early childhood education (ECE) or elementary/special education (ELSP). Secondary and art education are not education majors. Rather, students seeking secondary certification major in an academic field and concurrently complete the secondary program requirements leading to certification eligibility. Multidisciplinary breadth for all students is demonstrated through completion of additional general education courses beyond Hood’s Core Curriculum. 

Hood’s Department of Education offers teacher certification programs for holders of a baccalaureate degree. They may become certified to teach in early childhood education, elementary/special education or secondary education in the subject areas of art (preK-12), biology, chemistry, English, French (preK-12), history, mathematics and Spanish (preK-12). Students who select this option must meet certification requirements through satisfactory completion of their program’s required content and professional education courses. 

Certification

Upon successful completion of one of the teacher education programs and attainment of the minimum scores on all Maryland State Department of Education required exams, students are eligible for certification to teach in Maryland with reciprocal certification to teach in nearly all other states. It is the student’s responsibility to contact individual states other than Maryland for information regarding certification requirements for specific programs. Teacher candidates should also be aware that local school systems may impose additional requirements beyond state certification. 

As with most colleges and universities, there is an additional fee required for the teaching internship, formerly known as “student teaching.” Internships are essential components of teacher education programs. Background checks are required for internships and are conducted by local school systems. If you are concerned about your ability to pass a background check, please consult with the Chair of the Education Department. Interns are responsible for their own transportation to and from field experiences. Variation from Hood’s holiday and vacation schedules may be required to accommodate local school district calendars.  It is strongly advised that interns not have outside employment during Phases II and III.  Teaching interns have one year from the completion of the teaching internship to pass the Praxis II tests and to complete all other program requirements in order to be designated an official program completer. It is the responsibility of the intern to inform the Education Department upon completion of all requirements.

e-Portfolio

All education programs require the candidates to use the Chalk and Wire e-Portfolio system to create a program e-Portfolio with specified performance assessments and activities. Candidates enrolling in EDUC 204 will begin to post their coursework electronically and will use the e-Portfolio for the remainder of their coursework in education. Transfer students will begin using the e-Portfolio system upon entering the education program at Hood.