Frequently Asked Questions

What Praxis tests should I take and when should I take them?

• Praxis I - All students, elementary, secondary, and PreK-12, should take Praxis I as soon as possible after completing EDUC 203/204. Praxis I is required to be taken and passed prior to Formal Admission if you are not using your SAT scores as a substitute (SAT taken after April 1, 1995 - score must be 1100 with at least 530 on verbal and 530 on math and if SAT is taken prior to April 1, 1995 - score must be 1000 with at least 450 on verbal and 510 on math).
• Praxis II - Secondary and PreK-12 program students should take the Praxis II test during the semester before student teaching or during the student teaching semester. Note: You should be aware that the Praxis II test may cover material that you have not studied or used since your freshman or sophomore year, e.g.. the Mathematics Praxis II test requires a solid knowledge of basic calculus.
• Praxis II - Elementary program students are required to take and pass the Praxis II before admittance to the Graduate Program. We suggest that you take this test in April of your junior year or at the latest in the summer following your junior year.
• Secondary and PreK-12 program students must submit passing Praxis I and Praxis II scores with their application for Virginia teaching licensure. You will not have completed the University of Mary Washington Teacher Education program until you have submitted passing Praxis I and II scores, and Virginia will consider your licensure as Provisional until you have passed both tests.

When should I take the Virginia Reading Assessment?

• All Masters students are required to take prior to enrollment in the 5th year program. All students will be required to meet a passing score established by the Virginia Board of Education. This test should be taken after EDUC 371 and EDUC 373 have been completed.

WHEN SHOULD I TAKE THE VIRGINIA COMMUNICATION AND LITERACY ASSESSMENT?

• All Masters and Secondary/PK-12 students are required to meet a passing score to be established by the Virginia Board of Education. All Secondary/PK-12 students are required to take and pass VCLA the semester before student teaching and PK-6 students are required to take the fall semester of their junior year. (Individuals who graduate from the program prior to December 31, 2006 are not required to take and pass the VCLA).

What if I wish to teach in a state other than Virginia?

• Virginia has licensure reciprocity agreements with many other states. See here for the updated list of states. You might, however, be required to fulfill other requirement for licensure in that state - additional tests, short courses, training programs, etc.  Meet with Dr. McCall to determine what those requirements might be.

Is there a recommended sequence for taking Education courses?

• For secondary and PreK-12:
  1. EDUC 204
  2. Teaching of... class (EDUC 318 - 324) relevant to your licensure or EDUC 381
  3. EDUC 381 or the Teaching of ... class relevant to your licensure
  4. EDUC 420
  5. EDUC 351
  6. Student Teaching
• For elementary and PreK-12:
  1. EDUC 203 (possibly EDUC 303 or EDUC 311)
  2. Fall - MATH 204,   EDUC 311 or EDUC 303 or EDUC 371
  3. Spring EDUC 305,   EDUC 311 or EDUC 303 or EDUC 371
  4. Remaining course from EDUC 311, 303, or 371 (and EDUC 373 if you have already taken EDUC 371)
  5. EDUC 383 and/or EDUC 373
  6. EDUC 420
  7. *BIOL 203 may be taken anytime but if possible take before or with EDUC 303

What about mathematics courses?

• Students in the M.S. in Elementary Education program should take MATH 110 - this is highly recommended.  Mathematics majors can substitute MATH 125 for MATH 110.
• Remember that MATH 204 is only offered in Fall semesters and EDUC 305 is only offered in Spring semesters.