Designed for Your Success

NDMU’s programs provide the tools and mentorship you need to succeed, including a personal advisor. Our programs cover elementary and secondary including: TESOL, Dyslexia, Special Education, Mathematics, Gifted and Talented, STEM and much more. Whether you are looking for your initial licensure or continuing your education, there is a program for you. 

Initial Teaching Certification Requirements

Effective Fall 2019, all initial certification teacher candidates (including teachers of record) at Notre Dame of Maryland University are required to complete the edTPA in their content area; i.e., their planned area of certification.  Thus a teacher candidates who is interning as an elementary teacher and planning to be certified as an elementary teacher would take the edTPA in Elementary Education.   Teacher candidates who are pursuing more than one area of certification are generally expected to complete this assessment in their ‘primary’ content area. 

The Maryland State Department of Education will require (effective July 1, 2025) all candidates who are seeking to become certified to pass the edTPA (or the PPAT) as part of new licensure requirements.  Notre Dame of Maryland University opted to require the edTPA, an assessment that is more tailored to each content area than the more generic PPAT, as of Fall 2019. 

Effective Fall 2020 NDMU will require all initial certification teacher candidates to achieve a minimum score based on the number of rubrics associated with each edTPA, i.e.,  37 (for 15 rubric portfolios), 42 (for 18 rubric portfolios, or 34 (for 13 rubric portfolios), respectively.  A minimum passing score is required for graduation from NDMU’s School of Education. Additionally, all candidates will be required to fully and successfully participate in the online/face to face support process that is provided to teacher candidates during their internship experience.  Moreover, they must have a completely scored portfolio in order to receive a passing grade for their Internship (also a graduation requirement).  This edTPA requirement is an intensive one-credit (1 cr) requirement per certification area.

To be considered for admission to a graduate program at Notre Dame, a new applicant must must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

Admission Requirements

Initial Teaching Certification Programs

ACT, MAT, and MATESOL Programs

1. Application

Application materials should be submitted to:

Notre Dame of Maryland University
Theresa Hall 001
4701 North Charles St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21210

processing@ndm.edu

2. Official Transcript(s)

Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate coursework should be sent directly to NDMU. Official e-transcripts are accepted if sent directly from the school attended to processing@ndm.edu.

Students with degrees from universities outside of the United States should submit an official course by course evaluated transcript. Learn more at World Education Services (WES).

3. Essay

Note: Essay requirement is waived for students who have completed a previous master’s degree. An official copy of the degree-bearing transcript must be provided.

Please address one of the following questions for your 300-500 word essay: 

  • Pursuing a graduate program is a challenge that requires perseverance, good judgment and flexibility. Please provide an example of how you have exercised these three traits in your life.
  • Today's workforce requires employees to work collaboratively. Please provide us with an example of how you have worked with a team towards a goal. 
    • What were the challenges involved? 
    • What were the accomplishments? 
    • Finally, what did you learn from the work?

4. Two Letters of Recommendation

Note: Recommendation requirement is waived for applicants currently teaching Full-time in a Maryland public school system or private school, however you must provide your employment information to your Admissions Counselor.

Recommendation Form (PDF)

MAT/GEI 10-Month Cohort for Initial Teaching Certification

MAT/GEI 10-Month Cohort

1. Application

Application materials should be submitted to:

Notre Dame of Maryland University
Theresa Hall 001
4701 North Charles St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21210

processing@ndm.edu

Applications must be complete by June 1

Students with completed applications will be contacted for an interview on a rolling basis until the deadline.

Start Date: July 5

2. Official Transcript(s)

Official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate and/or community college coursework should be sent directly to NDMU. Official e-transcripts are accepted if sent directly from the school attended to processing@ndm.edu.

Students with degrees from universities outside the United States should submit an official course by course evaluated transcript. Learn more at World Education Services (WES).

3. Essay

Please address one of the following questions for your 300-500 word essay: 

  • Pursuing a graduate program is a challenge that requires perseverance, good judgment and flexibility. Please provide an example of how you have exercised these three traits in your life.
  • Today's workforce requires employees to work collaboratively. Please provide us with an example of how you have worked with a team towards a goal. 
    • What were the challenges involved? 
    • What were the accomplishments? 
    • Finally, what did you learn from the work?

4. Two Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are required for all GEI/MAT applicants. At least one letter must be an academic recommendation and one must be a professional recommendation.

Recommendation Form (PDF)

Graduate Programs (Higher Education or Advanced Teaching Certifications)

Master’s, Post-Master’s, & CASE Programs

1. Application

Application materials should be submitted to: 

Notre Dame of Maryland University
Theresa Hall 001
4701 North Charles St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21210

processing@ndm.edu

2. Official Transcript(s)

Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate coursework should be sent directly to NDMU. Official e-transcripts are accepted if sent directly from the school attended to processing@ndm.edu.

Students with degrees from universities outside of the United States should submit an official course by course evaluated transcript. Learn more at World Education Services (WES).

3. Essay

Note: Essay requirement is waived for students who have completed a previous master’s degree. Please inform your Admissions Counselor if you hold a Master’s Degree and are exempt An official copy of the degree-bearing transcript must be provided.

Please address one of the following questions for your 300-500 word essay: 

  • Pursuing a graduate program is a challenge that requires perseverance, good judgment and flexibility. Please provide an example of how you have exercised these three traits in your life.
  • Today's workforce requires employees to work collaboratively. Please provide us with an example of how you have worked with a team towards a goal. 
    • What were the challenges involved? 
    • What were the accomplishments? 
    • Finally, what did you learn from the work?

4. Two Letters of Recommendation (CASE Applicants Only)

Recommendation Form (PDF)

Ph.D. Programs

Ph.D. Programs

1. Application

Application materials should be submitted to: 

Notre Dame of Maryland University
Theresa Hall 001
4701 North Charles St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21210

processing@ndm.edu

2. Official Transcript(s)

Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate coursework should be sent directly to NDMU. Official e-transcripts are accepted if sent directly from the school attended to processing@ndm.edu.

For transfer evaluation, please provide all post-baccalaureate transcripts.

Students with degrees from universities outside of the United States should submit an official course by course evaluated transcript. Learn more at World Education Services (WES).

3. Personal Statement

Please type a personal statement, no longer than one page, describing your plans and area of research.

4. Two Letters of Recommendation

Two letters or forms of recommendation are required. Recommenders should be familiar with your professional and/or academic work.

Letters of recommendation are to be returned directly to the Doctoral Admissions Review Committee at the address above.

Recommendation Form (PDF)

Alumnae Applicants

Alumnae of the University are exempt from providing transcripts, unless they attended another institution after completing their degree at Notre Dame.

Students with a Master’s Degree

Students that have completed a previous master’s degree are exempt from completing the essay requirement.

Transfer Students

Students with graduate level work completed at another university are eligible to transfer up to six credits.

Education Scholarships

Hattie M. Strong Foundation Scholarship

About

The Hattie M. Strong Foundation has once again selected Notre Dame of Maryland University to be the recipient of six (6) scholarships, to be awarded to School of Education student teachers who are interning during the fall 2024 semester or during the spring 2025 semester.

Hattie M. Strong Foundation

Award Amount

$5,000

Eligibility

The awards will be granted based upon the following criteria in descending order of importance:

  • Interns in their final year of study
  • Undergraduate interns who have exhibited outstanding success and enthusiasm in field experiences prior to the final year of the program or graduate interns whose life experiences prior to enrollment reveal the same traits
  • Interns with demonstrated financial need
  • Interns who have achieved a minimum 3.0 GPA in the two semesters prior to their final year (for undergraduates)
  • Interns who are demonstrating outstanding teaching ability in their internship experience
  • Interns who clearly understand the significant role they must play in promoting student achievement

How to Apply

In total, four items are required for an applicant to receive consideration:

  1. Online Application
  2. Online Reference Form (Completed by the intern's mentor teacher)
  3. One-page Resume (Emailed to kdoherty1@ndm.edu)
  4. Essay - 350 Word Limit, Double Spaced (Emailed to kdoherty1@ndm.edu) 
    Explain: ''How, as a teacher or intern, you were able to assess, prescribe for and impact a student or group of students with whom you have worked. Describe this impact in terms of student achievement and learning goals. Please also provide a brief explanation as to why you are pursuing a career in teaching and why this scholarship is so important to your future.”

Application Deadline

All four items must be submitted/received no later than 4:00 PM on September 15, 2024 to Dr. Kathryn Doherty at kdoherty1@ndm.edu.

Contact

If you have any questions, contact:

Kathryn Doherty
Dean, School of Education
kdoherty1@ndm.edu

Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship

The 2024-2025 Teaching Fellows of Maryland Scholarship application is now open, presenting a significant opportunity for aspiring teachers. We will be reviewing and awarding students on a weekly basis, and with the recent legislation updates, we anticipate an abundance of qualified candidates. Below, we've outlined the current qualifications:

  • Applicants who are enrolled or plan to enroll at an eligible institution in an undergraduate or graduate program.
  • Applicants seeking to change careers to pursue a course of study or program in an academic discipline leading to a Maryland professional teacher's certificate.
  • Applicants must agree to work as public school or public prekindergarten teachers in the State upon completion of their studies at elementary and secondary schools, with at least 50% of the students eligible for free or reduced-price meals (FRPM).
  • Enroll full-time or part-time at an eligible institution pursuing a course of study or program leading to a Maryland professional teacher's certificate.

Applicants are no longer required to be Maryland state residents or provide a GPA, GRE, or SAT score.

Applicants must submit a 600-word essay detailing how they have demonstrated an exceptional dedication to, or aptitude, for teaching.

Should you have any questions about this information, please contact MHEC's Office of Student Financial Assistance at osfamail.mhec@maryland.gov.

How to Apply

  1. Completed the Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship Application​;
    • If a high school graduate not currently enrolled at a post-secondary institution, or an applicant enrolled in college that has completed less than 12 college credits:
      • an official high school transcript; and
      • documentation of SAT or ACT scores
    • If an applicant currently or previously enrolled as an undergraduate student who has completed more than 12 college credits, or a college graduate not currently enrolled in an eligible institution:
      • an official college transcript; and
      • documentation of SAT or ACT scores
    • If a graduate applicant in a post-secondary institution:
      • documentation of GRE scores if taken; and
      • an official undergraduate transcript
  3. All applicants must also submit a written essay detailing how they have demonstrated an exceptional dedication to or aptitude for teaching.

Application Deadline

All documentation and application must be submitted/received by April 1, 2025.

It is important to note that eligible award recipients will be awarded for both the Fall and Spring semesters in the 2019-2020 academic year. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please email us at faohelp.mhec@maryland.gov.