Enrolling Now! University of Maine System Micro-Credential: Inclusive Education PreK-12

Maine is committed to increasing capacity for inclusive education and supporting all school personnel (e.g., special and general educators, educational technicians, instructional specialists, and administrators) to  better provide inclusive supports to PreK-12 learners. Together we can work to ensure all learners with disabilities have full and meaningful access to general educational peers, curriculum and classrooms.

This micro-credential provides practicing PreK-12 educators and support staff, pre-service educators and interested community members with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to help create and sustain more inclusive schools.

Read on to learn more about the requirements and expectations for earning this micro-credential.

What is a micro-credential?

Micro-Credentials are short, focused credentials designed to provide in-demand skills, know-how and experience. A fully stacked micro-credential badge indicates that you have successfully completed a high-quality and rigorous training and were able to demonstrate the skills you developed in a work-based setting. You can learn more about UMS micro-credentials here.

What are the benefits of earning the Inclusive Education for PreK-12 micro-credential?

• PreK-12 educators and support staff, pre-service educators and community members will learn inclusive practices and strategies applicable to their setting.
• Current education professionals can earn 2 CEUs from the University of Maine System.
• Non-education professionals and pre-service educators can earn 20 contact hours.
• This micro-credential will connect the learner to University of Maine System faculty experts in inclusive education and can serve as a stepping stone toward CEUs, UMS certificates and UMS degrees.

Who is eligible to apply and are there any prerequisites?

This micro-credential is open to any practicing PreK-12 educator or staff member, pre-service educator, and/or interested community member. Contact Marnie Morneault marnie.morneault@maine.edu, Jennifer Maeverde jennifer.maeverde@maine.edu or Kate MacLeod kate.macleod@maine.edu if you have questions about eligibility.

Will it count toward CEUs or contact hours?

Yes! Current education professionals can earn 2 CEUs from University of Maine System. Non-education professionals and pre-service educators can earn 20 contact hours.

How much does it cost?

Registration is $50 and includes enrollment in the one-day in-person institute in the summer taught by UMS faculty experts in inclusive education. Practicing educators and support staff can seek reimbursement from supervisors and administrators.

How Do I Enroll in the Micro-Credential?

You can enroll in the Inclusive Education PreK-12 micro-credential by following this link. Click on the Enroll button at the bottom of the page and follow the directions.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

For more information, contact Kate MacLeod, kate.macleod@maine.edu, Marnie Morneault, marnie.morneault@maine.edu or Jennifer Maeverde,  jennifer.maeverde@maine.edu.

What are the expectations and requirements?

Level 1 (Foundational Knowledge): To earn this badge, learners will evidence understanding of foundational learning principles in the field of inclusive special education. View the Level 1 badge for additional details.

Level 2 (Training and Practice): To earn this badge, learners will evidence understanding of effective and ethical practices necessary for inclusive education. View the Level 2 badge for additional details.

Level 3 (Application and Feedback): To earn this badge, learners will participate in a one-day Inclusive Education Institute hosted at a University of Maine System (UMS) campus and facilitated by UMS faculty experts in inclusive education. View the Level 3 badge for additional details.

Micro-Credential: Learners who complete the Inclusive Education PreK- 12 pathway (Levels 1, 2 and 3 badges) will earn a University of Maine System micro-credential.  The learner will have completed 20 hours of online training to support emergent skills, knowledge, and application in foundational principles of inclusive practices. The learner also participated in a one-day Inclusive Education Institute facilitated by University of Maine System faculty experts in inclusive education. View the Inclusive Education PreK-12 Micro-Credential for additional details.

This micro-credential aligns with Maine workforce development plans and was created by a collaborative team from the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) and the University of Maine (UM) with funding from a competitive 2022-2023 mini-grant awarded by the University of Maine System Micro-Credential Initiative. The collaborative team included the following: Kate Macleod, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Special Education (UMF); Alan Cobo-Lewis, Ph.D., CCIDS Director and Associate Professor of Psychology (UM); Sarah Howorth, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education (UM); Jennifer Maeverde, M.A., LCPC, Research Associate – Early Childhood Mental Health (UM); and Marnie Morneault, M.Ed., Research Associate – Inclusive Care and Education (UM).