College of Education and Human Development

Educational Leadership

Certificate of Graduate Study Programs

Assistant Principal Certificate

This program is designed to meet the state requirements for a Maine assistant principal's certificate and to provide a foundation for graduate work in educational administration. This 12-credit program includes the following courses:

EDU 670 Introduction to Administration
EDU 671 Organizational Behavior
EDU 678 School Law
EDU 679 Evaluation and Supervision of School Personnel

At the conclusion of the certificate program, students will have satisfied state requirements for a Maine assistant principal's certificate and will receive a USM certificate of program completion which can be cited on resumes and vitae. Students will have also completed a significant part of the coursework for the Master's degree or Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership. Credits earned for the certificate are transferable to a degree or C.A.S. program; however, students who wish to matriculate into one of these programs must apply separately for admission.

Athletic Director Certificate

This program is designed to prepare students for the responsibilities of the athletic administrator in middle and high schools of Maine. Students who complete the Athletic Administrator Certificate Program will have impressive graduate background in athletic administration, including Introduction to Athletic Administration and Sports Law and Regulation Compliance.

In addition, as part of the Athletic Administrator Certificate program, students will complete the required courses for the Assistant Principal Certificate [internal link] which qualifies them for a State of Maine assistant principal's certificate. Thus, students who successfully complete this program will be awarded two USM certificates, both of which can be included on resumes and vitae, and will be eligible for Maine certification as an assistant principal.

Graduates will have also completed a significant part of the entry and foundation course work for a M.S. Ed. or Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership. Twelve of the 18 credit hours earned during the certificate program (indicated by asterisks below) are transferable to a degree or C.A.S. program; however, students who wish to matriculate into one of these programs must apply separately for admission.

Required courses, which can be taken in any sequence, include:

EDU 670 Introduction to Administration
EDU 671 Organizational Behavior
EDU 678 School Law
EDU 679 Evaluation and Supervision of School Personnel
EDUX 690 Introduction to Athletic Administration* (offered spring 2008)
EDUX 691 Sports Law and Regulation Compliance*

* Note: These courses will only be offered every three years (2009-10)

Middle Level Education Certificate

This program is designed to meet the professional knowledge area requirements for the state middle level teacher endorsement and to provide a foundation for graduate work in middle education. The 12-credit program includes the following courses, which may be taken in any sequence:

EDU 514 Improving Teaching in the Content Areas through Literacy
EDU 615 Middle Level Curriculum and Organization
EDU 617 Teaching in the Middle Level School
HRD 669 Adolescent Development

At the conclusion of the certificate program, students will have satisfied the State of Maine professional knowledge area requirements for middle level teacher endorsement and will receive a USM certificate of completion which can be cited on resumes and vitae. Students are required, however, to meet the academic content area requirements, as established by the state, to receive the middle level endorsement. Those requirements consist of 18 credits in each of two different content areas.

Upon completion of the 12 certificate program credits, students will have also completed a significant part of the coursework for the Master's degree or Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership. Most credits earned for the certificate are transferable to a degree or C.A.S. program; however, students who wish to matriculate into one of these programs must apply separately for admission.

Admission Requirements
* Bachelor's or Master's degree
* Experience in a public or private school at any level
* Completed Application, including a $15 registration fee
* Three (3) or more years of teaching experience for those applying to the assistant principal or athletic administrator certificate.

Please note: Though we have rolling admission for our certificate programs, it can take 4 - 6 weeks to process your application.

Graduate Certificate Application (PDF)