Certification is issued through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), not UMBC. The process is as follows:
- After receiving a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, completing all requirements of the teacher preparation program, and submitting passing scores on Praxis I (or SAT, GRE, ACT) and Praxis II in their area of certification, teacher candidates are eligible for certification through MSDE.
- The UMBC Education Department submits the names of eligible candidates to the UMBC Registrar’s Office, indicating their status.
- The Registrar’s Office then puts an official stamp on the transcript, indicating that, “This student has completed a Maryland Approved Certification Program” in a specific certification area (ECE, ELEM, ESOL, SCED program area)
- At this point, program completers can begin the process of applying for the actual teaching certificate.
Individuals hired by local school systems or accredited private schools are eligible for a Standard Professional Certificate I. Usually, the HR office within the school system will assist those under contract – or apply for them – provided that the candidate supplies that office with all relevant paperwork, including transcript.
Individuals not yet hired who plan to search for teaching positions in the following year should apply for a “Professional Eligibility Certificate.”
Please see the document entitled MSDE Certification Process for further instructions.
Link to MSDE website
Questions:
Marta Seres
Certification Officer
seres@umbc.edu
410.455.3487