Advances in scientific knowledge and increased public awareness of social problems and issues are contributing to a demand for high-quality social services. Public concerns over crime, security, and emergency response and the increased demand for legal intervention in business and communities will continue to drive the growth of law enforcement, emergency services and legal services. The continuous need for professionals in education fields, especially in the critical shortage areas, offers creative ways to engage young people early on in the teaching profession.
Fire Science: Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI)
The Fire Science program is offered in partnership with instructors from the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) of the University of Maryland. Students progress through courses on fire prevention and control and emergency medical technology. The program includes classroom instruction and training at local fire companies. Students are required to complete work-based learning and take eight certification exams.
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
The Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (HS/EP) program prepares students for industry certification and college credit in one of three areas: Homeland Security Sciences, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement, or Information/ Communications Technology. All students complete a foundation-level course with a focus on protecting against threats to public safety through effective communication, preparedness, detection, prevention, response and recovery. Students completing the Homeland Security Sciences program complete additional courses in Homeland Security Science Research Methods and Applications. Students completing Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement complete an additional course in the Administration of Justice and participate and an internship as part of the program. Students in the Information/Communications Technology courses focus on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technology leading to the ERSI ArcGIS Desktop Entry Certification. All areas conclude with a capstone project mentored by industry partners.
Childcare and Early Childhood Education
The Early Childhood Education/Child Care Services program follows the high school Child Development Associate (CDA) Program of the National Credentialing Program. The CDA is a nationally-transferable, most widely recognized, credible and valid credential in the Early Childhood Education field. Students may earn the CDA in center-based programs, family child care and home visitors. Students complete 120 clock hours of child development education and 480 hours of experience working directly with children in licensed facilities. In addition to industry certification, students also have the opportunity to earn college credit.
Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM)
The Teacher Academy of Maryland program prepares students for further education and careers in the education profession. The program focuses on human growth and development through adolescence, teaching as a profession, curriculum and instruction, and an education academy internship. Upon completion of the program and passing the ParaPro test or PRAXIS Core, high school graduates are ready for employment in the teaching profession. This program is based on the outcomes of the Maryland Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree. Students can receive college credit and scholarships to several Maryland baccalaureate teacher education programs.
Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM)
The Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) introduces students to the teaching profession and gives them a jump on college coursework.
TAM students can enroll directly in a four-year college with a teacher education program, netting credit for their high school program, or they can enroll in any of the 13 community colleges statewide that offer the articulated Associate of Arts in Teaching degree—a two-year degree whose coursework transfers to any in-state, four-year college (public or private) with a teacher preparation program.
Towson University, which graduates the largest number of teacher candidates in the state, is the program partner, offering transcripted credit and scholarships to TAM graduates.