The University offers and the Department of Education directs a variety of state-approved (accredited) undergraduate programs in the field of teacher education. The undergraduate department is organized into two (2) primary program areas:

1. Specialty Education   and
2. Secondary Education.

These primary program areas have met stringent accreditation standards, or accreditation is pending. After passing State requirements, all Education majors completing an approved program qualify for teacher certification through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

All undergraduate Education majors are enrolled, full or part-time, in a four (4) year formal, state-approved program of study. Every Education major selects either the Specialty or Secondary program area. All Education majors also choose a specific area of specialization within their general program area. The specialization curriculum offers the students the opportunity to become competent, confident, and effective educational practitioners in a highly specialized content area. Students may not minor in Education.

The Specialty Education Program is unique, in that it offers three (3) highly specialized areas of study. The following are the programs, with the Teacher Educator included:

Art Education (PreK-12) - Mr. Ernest Satchell

Music Education (Pre K-12) - Mr. John Lamkin

Special Education (1-8; 6-12) - Dr. Karen Verbeke

Specialty Education majors may major in Music Education, Art Education, or Special Education, and they are enrolled in both the Department of Education and the specialized academic department. Students must complete the curriculum that is required by the Department of Education and the curriculum that is required by their respective academic department.

The Art and Music (Instrumental and Choral) Education programs, located in the Department of Fine Arts, prepare teachers to work with students in all age groups from Pre-Kindergarten through Twelfth (P-12) grade, inclusively.The Special Education program, located in the Department of Education, prepares teachers to work with students with mild and moderate disabilities, including those with learning disabilities, mental retardation and emotional disturbance, and prepares teachers to work with students from first through eighth grade (1-8) and sixth through twelfth (6-12) grade, inclusively.

All of these specializations supplement traditional classroom instruction. The Specialty Education Program is dedicated to producing outstanding educators who are fully able to support education in various contexts. In the Specialty Education Program, there is special emphasis on cultural diversification, human relations, inter-program collaboration, and inclusion. Specialty area programs are approved (accredited) by the Maryland State Department of Education.

The Secondary Education Program offers a variety of content and instructional levels in which the student may specialize. College preparatory disciplines as well as career development specialties at the secondary (i.e., middle and/or high school) level are available. These include:

Education majors enrolled in the Secondary Education Program must complete the curriculum that is required by the Department of Education, and the curriculum that is required by the respective academic department. Successful completion of the prescribed course of study in the content area in an approved (accredited) Secondary Education Program, will prepare candidates to become certified and to teach at the middle and/or high school level.