Through the UACM program, you will earn the following:

• Initial elementary certification for PreK through 5th grade.
• An English Speaker of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement.
• Qualify as a Dual Language Immersion teacher if you fluently speak a language other than English.
• Work with trained mentors and university supervisors to further develop skills in the field.
• A Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree.
• Support as a cohort member while completing the program.
• Knowledge gained from a diverse team of faculty with expansive expertise in elementary education will guide you to become experts in the field of teaching and learning.
• Built-in induction during your first years of teaching.

Our beliefs:

• Teachers have the ability and power to provide experiences in which children succeed, which subsequently provides the confidence and competence for children to continue creating their own success.
• To foster successful experiences, teachers must engage and connect with the children in their classrooms by treating them with respect, by having high standards for them and by possessing the ability to pass on to the children a fervent belief that they can achieve.
• Teachers must be knowledgeable about the child’s culture and actively integrate this knowledge into the best teaching and learning practices.
• The teacher must create purposeful, structured environments in which children can explore, experiment and learn.
• Teachers must establish an environment in their classrooms where children are respectful of each other, their environment and the adults in their lives.
• Teachers must respect the language of their children. They should have knowledge of their students' backgrounds and principles and must model and expect a mastery of mainstream American English from their students.

We consider teaching a profession. Our experienced and dedicated faculty teams guide our candidates to become experts in teaching and learning.

Our program links theory to practice through rigorous coursework and intense field experiences. Where responsive pedagogy creates the foundation to prepare you to be successful with elementary students in urban contexts.

Certification phase of the program: Candidate take courses over 4 semesters starting in the summer. The summer courses are a mixture of online and in-person field-based sessions. Fall and Spring courses are online with in-person field support, allowing the employed educator to participate in the program. Candidates who have successfully met all requirements will be recommended to the state for certification in elementary education (PreK through 5th grade) with an English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement.

M.A.T. phase of the program: Candidates participate in a final semester (fall) of built-in teacher induction through field mentorship and a capstone experience course leading to a Master of Arts in Teaching