Student Teaching and Certification

Teacher Certification prepares qualified students to teach core secondary school (grades 7-12) subjects.  The seven courses required for Teacher Certification are:

  • The four courses that comprise the Teaching minor (Education 101, 203, 301 & 303)
  • Education 302 - Student Teaching Practicum
  • Education 304 - Senior Seminar: Analysis of Teaching and Learning
  • Education 305 - Adolescents in Schools

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a member of the Education Department early in their college careers to discuss their candidacies for Teacher Certification.  Students who wish to obtain Teacher Certification must minor in Teaching.

Requirements for Admission


Requirements for admission to the Teacher Certification program are listed below.  The department considers these requirements an essential foundation for success in completing the program.

  • Senior standing
  • A major in a subject area of certification offered by Bowdoin College with State of Maine endorsement:  mathematics, life science, physical science, English, foreign language, or social studies.

     Additional requirements for social studies candidates include:

  • Two United States history courses.
  • Two world history courses.
  • One economics course
  • One government course

Please note: Advanced Placement courses do not count toward program requirements for any subject area.

  • A 3.0 grade point average in ED 301 and 303.
  • A cumulative 3.0 grade point average at the end of the junior year.
  • Status as a community member in good standing.
  • Submission of a two- to four- page essay in which the candidate explains what brings him/her to teaching.
  • Interview with Education Department members.

Extenuating Circumstances


If a candidate does not meet the admission requirements, he/she must submit in addition to the two- to four- page essay:

  • A written explanation of possible extenuating circumstances prohibiting the candidate from satisfying the Teacher Certification program requirements and a statement explaining how those circumstances will not limit his/her success in the program.
  • The names of two faculty members in the candidate's major department who will attest to his/her competence in the candidate's disciplinary major.

Appeals Process


If a candidate is not accepted into the Teacher Certification program, he or she may appeal to an ad hoc committee comprised of Bowdoin College faculty.  To begin the appeals process, he/she must:

  • Inform, in writing, the department chair of his/her desire to appeal.
  • Submit a written justification for the appeal.

Following a meeting of the ad hoc committee, the candidate will be notified of his/her status.

Ninth Semester Option


Students who have graduated from Bowdoin within the last two years may apply to the department for special status to student teach.

  • Students must have completed all Teacher Certification program requirements.
  • Students must have successfully completed ED 305.
  • Students must have met all other criteria for student teaching.

Reminders

  • As student teachers receive three credits for ED 302, 304, and 305 during the spring semester of their senior year, they may need a fifth course earlier in their college career in order to obtain the 32 credits needed for graduation.
  • Student teachers must be fingerprinted prior to beginning student teaching.
  • Student teachers must register for and take Praxis I and II.
  • The Education Department provides student teaching field placements only for subject areas in which the departments only for subject areas which the department has State of Maine authorization to certify.  These include:  social studies, English, math, science, and foreign language.
  • Those who student teach while enrolled at Bowdoin may qualify for a scholarship through the Snow Family Fund.  For students receiving financial aid from the College, this scholarship replaces or repays a portion of their loan obligation upon successful completion of the Teacher Certification program.