The Northern and Downeast Pilot (NDEP)
The Northern and Downeast Pilot (NDEP) seeks to develop qualified special education teachers in Aroostook and Washington counties through a partnership with UMS universities in the region. While the program is open to all individuals, we encourage enrollment by people with disabilities and minorities, including individuals from the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy tribes of Pleasant Point and Peter Dana Point, and other Native American groups.
Special Education Teacher Certification
Courses leading to the Teacher of Children with Disabilities (282) endorsement are offered through a collaborative agreement among the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK), University of Maine at Machias (UMM), and the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI), with grant support from the Maine Department of Education (MDOE). Four or more of the special education courses in the sequence will be offered state-wide each year, with at least eight different courses offered every two years. The courses are approved by the MDOE. Call 1-800-868-7000 for the course location nearest you. Applicants for the endorsement will be required to complete the following:
- Complete a minimum of 24 credit hours in special education
- Pass Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) in reading, writing and mathematics (Praxis I)
- Pass content area, pedagogical knowledge and skills assessment (Praxis II - code number 0353)
- Complete 15 weeks of student teaching in the endorsement area. This requirement shall be waived upon completion of one full year of successful teaching under a targeted need certificate, conditional certificate, or transitional endorsement in this endorsement at the specified grade level.
- Applicants for certification must also be fingerprinted.
If you are an undergraduate, speak with your advisor about taking one or more of these courses for elective credit. If you are interested in incorporating special education into your undergraduate degree at an NDEP campus, you may want to learn more about the following degree options:
University of Maine at Fort Kent - Bachelor of University Studies
University of Maine at Machias - Bachelor of College Studies (pdf)
University of Maine at Presque Isle - Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education - Special Education Concentration
If you are a practicing teacher, education technician or if you aspire to a career in education, you may enroll in any or all of the statewide courses by calling University College Teleservice at 1-800-868-7000.