Division of Graduate and Continuing Education 111 South Street Farmington, ME 04938 | gradstudies@maine.edu | Fax 207-778-8134
Revised Summer 2020
Background Check
Most courses require some direct contact with children, through observations, projects, and/or research. It is the responsibility of the
student to have a clear criminal history and child abuse and neglect check. Students must provide current documentation to the Office
of Graduate Studies. Any fee is the responsibility of the student. Documentation may be:
Please check which you are submitting with your application
Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
• Maine Department of Health and Human Services
clear check of substantiated Maine Child Protective
Services Cases (this check must be initiated by the
agency where you are employed)
AND
• Maine State Bureau Identification Maine Criminal
History Check (this check can be obtained on your
DOE public teaching
certification that indicates
a Criminal History Check
has been conducted
Educational Approval
from Maine DOE that
indicates a Criminal
History Check has been
conducted
Recommendations
Two recommendation forms are required:
• One fro
m current administrator, program director, or program owner. If you are a director or owner, include a
recommendation form from an early childhood professional colleague
•
One from a
professional colleague
Application Essay
Applicants must submit an essay that will be reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee to evaluate your ability to organize your
thoughts and write clearly, correctly, and creatively at a level required for graduate study. We consider your essay an important piece
of information to help us make a decision. Essay will be evaluated for content and professional writing style, grammar, spelling, and
vocabulary. 500 word limit. Please address all topics.
a. Self Assessment: Analyze the strengths, including career and leadership experience, that will contribute to your success in
UMF’s master’s program. Articulate the knowledge and skills you wish to develop further.
b. Vision and Values: Describe your vision of high quality early childhood education in today’s world and the values that
guide your work with young children and the families.
Supplemental Essay: Required if BA/BS is not in Early Childhood or closely related field
Applicants who did not complete an undergraduate degree in early childhood or a closely related field (i.e. child development, early
childhood special education, human development) must submit an additional essay in response to the following prompts. 500 word
limit. Please address all topics.
a. Describe a clear rationale for relevant preparation to enter an early childhood program at an advanced level of study (such as
foundational knowledge and/or knowledge of current issues in the field)
b. Summarize your work experience with children and families in birth to age eight programs.
Application Fee
Your application will not be considered complete until the program office receives the $60 application fee. A check, money order, or
purchase order from your school district must be made out to the University of Maine at Farmington.