April 29, 2003
UMaine Farmington and University of Southern Maine to Offer
Master's-Level Courses in Special Ed. at UMF
FARMINGTON, MAINE - Responding to a growing need in western
and central Maine to offer additional teacher training for
special education teachers and to place even higher qualified
special education teachers in the classroom, University of
Maine at Farmington President Theodora J. Kalikow and University
of Southern Maine President Richard L. Pattenaude jointly
announce a first-of-its-kind, cross-campus agreement that
will allow USM's master's-level courses to be offered at the
Farmington campus, beginning next fall.
The agreement arranges a framework through which USM and
UMF can provide a specific set of master's level courses in
special education to teachers residing in an area of the state
for whom local access to a full master's degree program is
otherwise unattainable.
The master's level courses to be offered at the Farmington
campus will be of interest to special education teachers in
the western Maine and central Maine areas who are interested
in obtaining an master's of science (M.S.) degree in special
education from the University of Southern Maine. Certain courses
may also be of interest to: special education teachers who
are not yet certified, those with a bachelor's degree who
are interested in becoming special education teachers, as
well as elementary and secondary classroom teachers who experience
learning or behavioral challenges in their classrooms.
Up to six courses will be taught at the University of Maine
at Farmington and classes will be taught by UMF and USM faculty.
The first classes will be offered in September, 2003. An informational
meeting and reception will be held Monday, June 16 at 4 p.m.,
in North Dining Hall, located in UMF's Olsen Student Center.
Details about the program, including a schedule of classes
and registration and advising information, will be provided
at the informational meeting.
In making the joint announcement, University of Maine at
Farmington President Theodora J. Kalikow said, "This new venture
allows UMF to offer something Maine's educators have long
been clamoring for. It fills a great need for special education
professionals -- giving these professionals the convenience
of not having to travel all the way to Portland or Orono in
order to receive graduate-level training," said Kalikow. "It
also underlines the University of Maine at Farmington's emerging
state-wide role in providing additional educational opportunities
to people from outside the Franklin County region."
"As public universities, we have a responsibility to link
our intellectual resources and programs to the needs of Maine
communities," said University of Southern Maine President
Richard L. Pattenaude. "We're pleased that this collaboration
with our colleagues at the University of Maine at Farmington
will address the professional development needs of Maine's
K-12 educators."
"This new collaboration between UMF and USM is a great example
of the fresh ways our universities are addressing their teaching
and outreach needs in these tough economic times," said University
of Maine System Chancellor Joseph Westphal. "By utilizing
the expertise and resources of these two sister institutions,
the collaboration will result in a high-quality graduate-level
learning opportunity," he said. "I appreciate the work of
President Kalikow, President Pattenaude, and the faculty and
staff at their respective universities to make this much-needed
new program available to Maine schools and educators."
About the USM Master's Program in Special Ed.
The USM College of Education and Human Development has been
offering master's programs since 1964. Its graduate degree
in special education prepares people to work with children
and adolescents with special needs. It is designed for those
seeking initial certification in special education as well
as for practicing teachers who want to develop expertise in
special education. The University of Southern Maine's College
of Education and Human Development degree programs are accredited
by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
(NCATE). The University of Maine at Farmington's College of
Education, Health, and Rehabilitation is also accredited by
NCATE.
Enrollment in graduate courses taken at the University of
Maine at Farmington does not guarantee matriculation into
USM's graduate program, however, students completing the set
of courses offered through UMF will receive a certificate
of graduate study guaranteeing that each of the courses will
be accepted for graduate credit at the University of Southern
Maine should a student apply to, and be accepted to, a graduate
program in special education. Course enrollment will be limited
to students with baccalaureate degrees and all graduate studies
policies at USM are applicable.
For more information about the new Master of Science Program
in Special Education, contact UMF's Raymond Glass at 207-778-7268.
>more news releases
|
