USM Graduate Catalog 2007-2008

Certificates of Graduate Study (non-degree, post-baccalaureate)

[Acting Techniques of Michael Chekhov
Advanced Research and Evaluation Methods | Applied Behavioral Analysis
Applied Research and Evaluation Methods
Assistant Principal | Athletic Administrator
Child and Family Policy and Management
Community Planning and Development | Composing Together | Culturally Responsive Practices
Health Policy and Management | Literacy
Manufacturing Systems
Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician (MHRT)/Community
Middle Level Education | Nonprofit Management | Nursing Education
Public Health | Performance Management and Measurement
Statistics | Substance Abuse Counseling]

Acting Techniques of Michael Chekhov

The graduate certificate, offered by the Department of Theatre, in the acting techniques of Michael Chekhov is designed to appeal to theatre and drama instructors, professional actors/directors, experienced community actors/directors, and advanced students. The courses provide an intensive overview of the acting techniques attributed to Michael Chekhov and the application of those techniques to performing, directing, auditioning, and teaching. Areas of focus will include image and body, preparing the part, characterization, and improvisation. The graduate certificate program introduces methods of teaching these techniques and provides opportunities for graduate students to teach back to the peer group and faculty, receiving feedback and guidance on their presentations. Candidates for the certificate must attend two summer institutes at USM, including an additional one and a half days in residence for the certificate program, and complete a significant one-credit independent project approved by the instructors.

This information is available here or contact the College of Arts and Sciences for more information.

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Advanced Research and Evaluation Methods

The certificate of graduate study in advanced research and evaluation methods is designed for students and practitioners who already are comfortable with basic statistical techniques and data analysis and presentation who wish to gain greater competence in designing research and evaluation studies, expand their range of analytical techniques, and apply methods effectively to issues in policy analysis, planning and management. Students select four courses (12 credits) including one required course and three from a list of approved courses.

This information is available here or contact the Muskie School of Public Service for more information.

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Applied Behavior Analysis (post-master’s)

The Certificate of Applied Behavior Analysis (CABA) includes an 18 credit program of study related to the research foundations, methods, ethics, and applications of applied behavior analysis. The certificate provides the coursework that leads to the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential. The certificate does not automatically lead to obtaining the BCBA. After completing the certificate, those who want to obtain the BCBA must complete an internship under the supervision of a credentialed BCBA and successfully pass a national exam. Only those who complete the required coursework, the internship, and pass the national exam will earn the BCBA.

Special Admission Requirements  The Certificate of Applied Behavior Analysis has a once a year deadline of December 15. Since it is a post-master's certificate program, applicants not currently matriculated in the M.S. or Psy.D. in School Psychology program must show evidence of a master's degree.

Students in the certificate program take the following courses:

In addition, certificate students must take one elective chosen from approved courses offered in the College of Education and Human Development.

This information is available here or contact the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

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Applied Research and Evaluation Methods

The certificate of graduate study in applied research and evaluation methods is designed for students and practitioners who want to learn to use data more effectively on the job and in the community. The certificate emphasizes data acquisition, data analysis and presentation, choosing and applying statistical techniques to real world problems, and practical application of analytical tools. There is no mathematics or statistics prerequisite. Students select four courses (12 credits) including one required course and three from a list of approved courses.

This information is available here or contact the Muskie School of Public Service for more information.

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Applied Research and Evaluation Methods

The certificate of graduate study in applied research and evaluation methods is designed for students and practitioners who want to learn to use data more effectively on the job and in the community. The certificate emphasizes data acquisition, data analysis and presentation, choosing and applying statistical techniques to real world problems, and practical application of analytical tools. There is no mathematics or statistics prerequisite. Students select four courses (12 credits) including one required course and three from a list of approved courses.

This information is available here or contact the Muskie School of Public Service for more information.

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Assistant Principal

The assistant principal certificate program is designed to meet the state requirements for assistant principal certification in Maine and to provide a foundation for graduate work in educational administration. This 12-credit program consists of 4 courses:

Courses may be taken in any sequence. At the conclusion of the certificate program, students will not only have satisfied state requirements for a Maine assistant principal’s certificate but will have completed a significant part of the entry and foundation coursework for a master’s degree in educational leadership. In addition, they will receive USM certificates of program completion which can be cited on résumés and vitae. Although credits from the certificate program may be transferable to a master’s program, students who wish to matriculate into a master’s program must apply separately for admission.

This information is available here or contact the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

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Athletic Administrator

The athletic administrator certificate program is designed to prepare graduates for the responsibilities of the athletic administrator in middle and high schools in Maine. Students who complete the athletic administrator certificate program will not only have impressive graduate background in athletic administration, but will have satisfied the state course requirements for a Maine assistant principal’s certificate. In addition, graduates will have completed a significant part of the entry and foundation coursework for a master’s in educational leadership. Courses may be taken in any sequence. Upon completion of the program, students will be awarded USM certificates for both athletic administration and the assistant principalship, which can be included on résumés and job applications. Upon submission of the USM transcript, the state office of certification will issue a state of Maine assistant principal certificate to candidates with appropriate professional prerequisites established by the state of Maine. Although 12 of the 18 credit hours earned in this program (indicated by single asterisks below) can be transferred into a master’s program, students who wish to matriculate into the master’s program must apply separately for admission.

*These courses will be offered every three years (2009-2010)

This information is available here or contact the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

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Child and Family Policy and Management

Today’s multifaceted social problems and an evolving definition of “family” need sound public policies, effective programs, and management strategies/skills to address the needs of children and families. The certificate of advanced study in child and family policy and management is a collaborative effort of the Muskie School’s nationally accredited public policy and management master’s degree program (PPM) and the School’s Institute for Child and Family Policy (ICFP). The interdisciplinary curriculum gives students an opportunity to gain the knowledge and competencies needed to affect change, guide policy development and implementation, and manage programs serving children and families. The certificate is designed for child and family professionals, children’s advocates, teachers, justice system personnel, policy makers, and others wishing for a better understanding of children and family policy and management.

Students select four courses (12 credits) from among the following courses in the graduate programs at the Muskie School. Students are required to take PPM–626 Public Policy and Children, one course from each of the other groups listed below, and a fourth course from either group.

This information is available here or contact the Muskie School of Public Service for more information.

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Community Planning and Development

The certificate of graduate study in community planning and development has two major objectives: to provide students with a grounding in land use and environmental planning, economic development, law and policy analysis, infrastructure programming, and growth management; and to develop an understanding of economic, social, legal, ethical, and political contexts within which decisions about land use, economic growth, and environmental protection are made. These objectives are met through course readings, class lectures and discussions, case analyses, and problem-solving exercises in various community-based settings.

Persons contemplating a career in local or state government or nonprofit organizations, and who are particularly interested in the fields of land use, economic development, and environmental planning are invited to discuss their goals with the coordinator of the certificate in community planning and development. Those who already practice in the field and wish to enhance their skills and understanding of the issues are also welcome.

The certificate requires the completion of 12 credit hours of coursework, at least one course must be selected from each of Groups A and B. Students may propose other courses from the CPD program in their certificate program. These must be approved by the chair.

This information is available here or contact the Muskie School of Public Service for more information.

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Composing Together

Composing Together is a 9-credit certificate of graduate study in teaching music composition. The certificate requires the completion of three courses and may stand alone or may constitute a sub-concentration with the M.M. in music education. The courses within the certificate program, Composing Together: Level I (MUE 621), II (MUE 622), and III (MUE 623), will develop the teacher as a composer and as a facilitator of children’s composition in K-12 music classrooms, private and group lessons, computer laboratories, and rehearsal settings. Teachers will learn to design, implement, and assess composition units that they will be able to teach within their own school systems. See course descriptions in the Music section of the Graduate Catalog.

Admission

This certificate program is open to any student possessing an undergraduate degree in music. Applicants are required to submit an application and supporting documents. Please contact the USM Office of Graduate Admissions for an application and instructions.

This information is available here or contact the School of Music for more information.

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Culturally Responsive Practices in Education and Human Development

The 12-credit certificate of graduate study in Culturally Responsive Practices is offered to accommodate individuals who wish to obtain a basic background in culturally responsive practices in education and human development, especially: teachers, educational technicians, counselors, and leaders in education.

Special Admission Process and Requirements
Applications to the certificate program will be reviewed periodically by an admissions committee during the academic year. This committee will include members from Multicultural Education Programs, including the diversity scholars, HRD coordinator, and members of the departments within the College of Education and Human Development. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Application materials and scholarship information may be obtained by contacting:
Linda Evans, director
Multicultural Education Programs
University of Southern Maine
62 School Street, Gorham, ME 04038
(207) 780-5564
www.usm.maine.edu/cehd/Culturally_Responsive_Practices/index.htm

Applications and materials need to be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions, 134 School St., Gorham, ME 04038.

Program Requirements
Courses included in the 12-credit certificate program

This information is available here or contact the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

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Health Policy and Management

The certificate of graduate study in health policy and management provides the opportunity to learn about the broad social context of health service or health service policy and to develop both policy analysis and management skills appropriate to the field. The certificate program provides health professionals from diverse backgrounds with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills in health policy and planning, as well as the fundamentals of health care management and community health.

Students take four courses (12 credits) from the graduate program in health policy and management. Courses are offered at the Muskie School in Portland, with several offered at University of Maine System campuses through UNET (the University’s Interactive Television Network). Students admitted to the master of science in health policy and management program will receive credit for courses taken in the certificate program in which they received a grade of B or better.

This information is available here or contact the Muskie School of Public Service for more information.

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Literacy

The certificate of graduate study in literacy program is offered to accommodate teachers and special education teachers, educational technicians, and other holders of baccalaureate degrees who do not want to complete all of the requirements for a master’s degree but who wish to obtain a basic background in literacy. Students who complete program requirements receive official transcript recognition of their work and a certificate from the literacy education program attesting to their completion of coursework in reading and writing instruction. Holders of the certificate have the competencies and proficiency levels needed to plan effective literacy instruction for their students. Although credits from the certificate program may be transferable to a master’s program, students who wish to matriculate into a master’s program must apply separately for admission.

This 12-credit program consists of four graduate-level courses in literacy education.
The courses include:

Admission to the literacy certificate program is based on successful completion of a bachelor’s degree and an interest in literacy-related issues. For application instructions please refer to the CEHD section on admission to certificate of graduate study programs.

This information is available here or contact the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

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Manufacturing Systems

The Certificate of Graduate Study, Manufacturing Systems, at USM includes 21 credits allocated as follows: 18 credits M.M.S. core and 3 credits of electives.

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Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician (MHRT)/Community

This information is available here or contact the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

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Middle Level Education

The middle level education certificate program is designed to meet the professional knowledge certificate requirements for the middle level teacher endorsement in Maine and to provide a foundation for graduate work in middle level education. (Students seeking middle-level endorsement are also required to meet the academic content area requirements as established by the State). This 12-credit program consists of 4 courses:≠

Courses may be taken in any sequence. At the conclusion of the certificate program, students will not only have satisfied the professional knowledge area state requirements for middle level teacher endorsement but will have completed a significant part of the coursework for the master’s degree in educational leadership. In addition, they will receive USM certificates of program completion which can be cited on résumés and vitae. Although credits from the certificate program may be transferrable to a master’s program, students who wish to matriculate into a master’s program must apply separately for admission.

This information is available here or contact the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

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Nonprofit Management

The certificate of graduate study in nonprofit management provides traditional students, working professionals, and volunteers in the nonprofit sector with the knowledge, managerial skills, and techniques to respond to the challenges of this important and rapidly changing sector of society.

Students gain valuable expertise in critical areas such as managing human and financial resources, using technology to further organizational goals, and successfully mastering the system of performance contracting being introduced in Maine. Other topics examined include grant writing, fundraising, volunteer recruitment and management, board development, and interagency collaboration.

Many certificate courses are offered through the Education Network of Maine at locations throughout the state. Students may request to transfer certificate courses to the School’s master’s degree program in public policy and management upon matriculation.

Students select four courses (12 credits) from among the following courses from the graduate program in public policy and management.

*with faculty permission only

This information is available here or contact the Muskie School of Public Service for more information.

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Nursing Education

The 9-credit certificate of nursing education program will prepare students to teach in entry- and master's-level nursing programs in both didactic and clinical courses and engage in other professional roles such as professional staff development. Three required courses (3 credits each) for this certificate provide a foundation in theories of nursing education, external factors that influence nursing education, curricular models, teaching methodologies and strategies, and critical analysis of theories of learning and teaching. All courses will be offered as on-line courses. The third course may have a low-residency requirement as it enetails a clinical practicum with supervision by faculty and an identified preceptor for either a didactic and/or clinical experiential component.

Admission Requirements

1. A baccalaureate or master's degree in nursing from an accredited college or university.
2. Completion of the Application for Graduate Certificate Program which can be found at www.usm.maine.edu/grad.

This information is available here or contact the College of Nursing and Health Professions for more information.

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Performance Management and Measurement

The certificate of graduate study in performance management and measurement is designed to equip managers with the knowledge and skills needed to monitor and report on organizational performance, to present results-oriented information in alternative formats to diverse, nontechnical audiences, and to contribute to improving performance in public organizations. The certificate in performance management and measurement is a collaborative effort of the Muskie School’s accredited public policy and management master’s degree program (PPM) and a research center known nationally for leading edge evaluation and technical assistance, the Institute for Public Sector Innovation. Students select four courses (12 credits) including one required course and three from a list of approved courses.

*with faculty permission only

This information is available here or contact the Muskie School of Public Service for more information.

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Public Health

The certificate of graduate study in public health provides individuals from diverse backgrounds with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills in public health, health policy, community health, and epidemiology as well as offering students an opportunity to pursue interests in evaluation, planning, or quality.

The public health certificate can serve to augment a student’s previous academic training and facilitate advancement in a variety of private health and service organizations as well as public agencies. Alternatively, the certificate can serve as a strong introduction and preview to the field of public health prior to committing to a formal master’s program.

The public health certificate is awarded on successful completion of five courses (15 credit hours) from the Health Policy and Management curriculum. If successfully completed, certificate program courses will fulfill degree requirements for students who apply for, and are admitted to, a master’s degree program. Courses are held at the Muskie School on the USM Portland campus. Some courses are offered at other campuses in the University of Maine System via the University’s distance education network.

The following three courses are required for the certificate:

One of the following courses is also required:

The fifth course is an elective selected from the following:

And either

This information is available here or contact the Muskie School of Public Service for more information.

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Statistics

The Department also offers a graduate certificate in statistics for those candidates who are interested in attaining a working knowledge of statistical methodologies. Interested candidates should apply to the Graduate Admissions Office and submit current vitae, copies of all undergraduate/graduate transcripts, and at least one letter of recommendation. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75, and must have completed MAT 153, MAT 281, MAT 282 or their equivalents. To earn the graduate certificate, a candidate must earn a minimum of 15 credits in statistics, at least 12 of which are at the graduate level. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is required in these courses, and they must be completed within six years of enrollment (which is defined as the date when the application for admission to the graduate certificate is accepted by the Graduate Committee). Courses taken for the certificate may also be used toward the master’s degree in statistics, as long as they are completed within six years of enrollment in the graduate program (Master of Science in Statistics).

Note: Academic matters not addressed by the Program Description should be referred to the Graduate Committee in writing (official letter) for prompt resolution.

This information is available here or contact the College of Arts and Sciences for more information.

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Substance Abuse Counseling Expertise Area

For those students interested in working in the area of substance abuse, the counselor education program offers coursework which will enable students to obtain a Substance Abuse Counseling expertise area within their master’s degree. This expertise is available as part of the clinical mental health counseling specialty. Students who complete this expertise area as part of their master’s degree meet all academic requirements necessary to become a licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) in Maine. The following courses are required for the expertise area:

This information is available here or contact the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

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