Maine Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
To attract more qualified teachers to the classroom, Maine has developed alternative routes to teacher certification for college graduates wishing to pursue a career in education. Alternative teacher preparation programs, or non-traditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. If you don’t yet have a bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional certification in Maine. Continue reading to find out more about alternative options available in the state.
Table of Contents
- Maine Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
Individuals looking to become certified to teach in Maine via an alternative route must have at least a bachelor’s degree. For most subjects, candidates must complete additional education to become certified. Maine teacher preparation programs typically lead to the award of a master’s degree in teaching, education, or a core subject that includes an approved certification program.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Maine
There are three main pathways to alternative teacher certification in Maine. The preferred pathway is to attend an approved educator preparation program (EPP), such as the Extended Teacher Education Program (ETEP). For more information on these pathways or for a transcript evaluation, review the Maine Department of Education (DOE) website.
Career and Technical Education Certification
Maine offers alternative Career and Technical Education (CTE) Certification for select career subjects in grades nine through 12. Candidates must hold a professional license if available and complete the required coursework. They must also complete a Maine-approved CTE Orientation Program within the first year of teaching and satisfy one of five combinations of education and experience. For more information, review the Maine DOE Certification Requirements.
Conditional Certification
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree and specific coursework in education but who have not completed traditional teacher preparation may pursue a Conditional Certificate in Maine. This pathway requires that candidates be recommended for a certificate by a school district, which may only request a certificate for a candidate if no qualified and properly licensed teachers can be found for an open position. To earn a Standard Certificate, candidates must successfully teach for at least one year.
Extended Teacher Education Program
Offered through the University of Southern Maine (USM), the ETEP leads to a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) and prepares graduates for initial certification in Elementary (K-6) or Secondary (6-12) education. The program is offered as an accelerated 10-month program- or a two-year curriculum. Graduates will be qualified for teacher certification in Maine. After completing the program and earning teacher certification, candidates have five years to complete the final two research courses and earn their MSEd. For more information, review the USM ETEP webpage.
Testing Requirements for Maine Alternative Certification
As of 2022, Maine educators do not have to take exams to become certified. Instead, approved EPPs include three semester hours of coursework in diversity and three semester hours of coursework in child development or developmental psychology.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Teachers licensed to teach in another state may be eligible for certification in Maine with documentation of their certification and teaching experience. However, Maine does not offer traditional reciprocity. Out-of-state candidates must request a credential evaluation from the Maine DOE before a certificate can be issued.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Maine
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the Maine DOE for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Maine Community College | — | Certificate–CTE only | — | — | — | $10,634 |
| Husson University* | — | Alternative, Certificate | — | — | — | $19,342 |
| Maine College of Art and Design | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $33,486 |
| Saint Joseph’s College of Maine* | — | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $27,979 |
| University of Maine-Augusta | — | Certificate | — | — | — | $10,670 |
| University of Maine-Farmington* | CAEP | Alternative, Certificate | — | — | — | $14,492 |
| University of Maine-Orono* | CAEP | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $16,365 |
| University of Maine-Presque Isle | — | Certificate | — | — | — | $10,442 |
| University of Southern Maine | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $12,072 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
- *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Maine based on the shortest possible time to completion. Shorter alternative certification programs are often more affordable as they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
- Eastern Maine Community College (8 months)
- University of Maine-Augusta (9 months)
- Maine College of Art (10 months)
- University of Southern Maine (10 months)
Additional Resources
- Maine Approved Teacher Preparation Programs: Database of approved teacher preparation programs in the state.
- Maine Department of Education Certification Office: Rules and guidelines as well as resources for prospective educators, including education and testing requirements.
- USM ETEP: Offers an alternative certification program for prospective elementary and secondary teachers.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Maine Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Maine Department of Education: https://www.maine.gov/doe/cert/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/