Teacher Certification
Saint Mary's University Faculty of Education Pathway to the B.S. in Education degree (Canadian BEd) at the University of Maine, Presque Isle, Maine, USA
A direct pathway for SMU students interested in a K-12 teaching career is available through the Faculty of Education. An agreement between Saint Mary’s University (SMU) and the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) gives eligible SMU students access to direct entry into UMPI’s Bachelor of Science in Education (Canadian BEd) with opportunity to specialize in either Elementary or Secondary teacher education.
Key features of the SMU-UMPI pathway to a teaching career:
| 1. Reasonable workload: | |
| a. | Potential early admission into UMPI for SMU students who have completed 60 credit hours (20 half courses) as part of a four-year (40 half courses) Arts or Science degree at Saint Mary's University. |
| b. | UMPI grants advanced standing (transfer credit) for five Education (EDUC) courses that SMU students take during their Bachelor degree program at SMU. |
| 2. Reasonable time commitment: | |
| a. | The UMPI Bachelor of Science in Education program is three (3) semesters: two semesters of courses, and one semester of practicum. |
| b. | The third-semester practicum is normally completed under a supervisor in Nova Scotia. |
| 3. Reasonable costs | |
| a. | The normal UMPI application fee is waived for SMU students. |
| b. | At UMPI, SMU students with Canadian citizenship pay the normal Maine "in-state" tuition fee – not the normal non-resident fee |
| c. | UMPI's international student tuition fees are among the lowest in the USA |
| 4. Access to cross-border teacher certification: | |
| a. | Successful completion of the UMPI teacher education degree makes SMU students eligible to apply for teacher certification in the State of Maine. After certification, SMU grads are qualified to teach in the State of Maine, USA. |
| b. | Successful completion of the UMPI teacher education degree makes SMU students eligible to apply for teacher certification in the Province of Nova Scotia. After certification, SMU grads are qualified to teach in Nova Scotia, Canada. |
Important note:
The benefits listed above are only available to SMU students applying under the authorized SMU-UMPI pathway.
For more information, SMU students should contact the Education Student Advisor and arrange an appointment.
The Education Student Advisor can also help you explore your options if you have left your decision to pursue the teaching profession until later in your undergraduate studies.
For those interested in having a look at Presque Isle, Maine please go to: https://umaine.edu/undiscoveredmaine/aroostook-county-maine/central-aroostook/presqueisle/
For a closer look at the Education Program at UMPI, go to: https://www.umpi.edu/academics/education/
Professional Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Courses
(See SMU Graduate Calendar):