Teacher Licensure
PROGRAM DETAILS
The Post-Baccalaureate Initial Teacher Licensure Program is designed for adults who have earned a bachelor’s degree and want to obtain teaching credentials. The M.Ed. program is designed to meet the needs of adult learners, with courses offered in the evenings, on weekends, and in blended and online formats.
The primary goal of the program is to ensure that teacher candidates, through support, supervision, and evaluation, can demonstrate and apply the competencies enumerated in the Virginia Licensure Regulations and demonstrated by skillful teachers. The program requires the basic course work and field experiences prescribed by the Virginia Licensure Regulations for an initial teaching license but establishes, through advising, a personalized plan to ensure that all teaching and subject knowledge competencies are demonstrated and all standards are met.
Licensure Requirements
Endorsement Requirements
Professional Studies Requirements
Praxis I & II
VCLA & VRA
Student teaching
Admission Requirements
Candidates with at least three years of career experience may elect to pursue initial licensure only or take additional courses to complete the requirements for the M.Ed. Candidates who have completed the bachelor’s degree in the past 12 months or who do not have three years of work experience must complete the M.Ed. option as well as the initial licensure program.
Suggested Filing Dates
Application dates for the Teacher Licensure (Track I) program:
Fall session: April 15
Spring session: September 15
Summer session: February 15
Late applications will be accepted on a space available basis. Please contact the Office of Admissions at 540/286-8088 for clarification.
Application Checklist
Admission Requirements for Track I Licensure Program (Initial Teacher Licensure with M.Ed. Option)
- The completed M.Ed. Application and a non-refundable $50 application fee; APPLY ONLINE AND HAVE YOUR $50 APPLICATION FEE WAIVED! (Simply type CGPS1 before you submit your application);
- An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
- An official transcript from every college or university you've attended even if the courses were transferred to another institution.
- Competitive applicants are encouraged to have a cumulative grade-point average (G.P.A.) of 2.5 or higher on undergraduate course work, a 3.0 cumulative G.P.A. on graduate course work;
- A résumé outlining experiences and education. In addition to your paid work experience, please include all volunteer experience related to education - for example, coaching, teaching religious education, working with Scouts, volunteering in a school, etc. Candidates who have completed their bachelor’s degree in the past 12 months and do not have three years of work experience must complete the M.Ed.;
- An interview may be required.
- PRAXIS I scores —reading, writing, and mathematics—tests (or qualifying SAT or ACT scores.);
- Submit two essays (2-3 typed, double-spaced pages each):
- Why are you seeking teaching credentials? Why do you feel qualified to teach the subject/grade level of the endorsement you seek?
- Discuss a current issue in education, why you think it is important, and your stance on it.
- Demonstration of competency on the Test of English as a Foreign Language, as necessary, if the student's native language is not English.
- Please submit the International Student Application Supplement if applicable
Admission to candidacy for the five-year renewable license occurs upon acceptance into EDCI 550 Field Mentorship.
A limited number of seats are available for non-degree students. You may begin the program as a non-degree student if you have an application in progress. Teachers with provisional or conditional licenses who need a course, currently licensed teachers who need to take a course for license renewal, and other students are also allowed to take courses as non-degree students. For more information on the non-degree option, contact the Office of Advising and Student Services at 540/286-8030.
Selection Criteria
The admission process recognizes candidates with distinguished achievements in one or more of the admissions criteria or on the strength and balance of their records in all areas. A wide range of criteria is considered including: academic background; experience with children and adolescents; goals statement; commitment to teaching; personal qualities; life and work experiences; ability to teach in the endorsement area sought; performance on traditional course work (except for Special Education and TESL, which are taken at the the College of Graduate and Professional Studies). APPLICANTS MUST BE WITHIN NINE CREDITS (3 COURSES) OF COMPLETING THEIR UNDERGRADUATE ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS BEFORE THEY ARE CONSIDERED ADMISSIBLE (except ESL and Special Education).
SAT or ACT AS A SUBSTITUTE TEST FOR PRAXIS I
On March 24, 2004, the Board of Education approved the use of the SAT® as a substitute test for Praxis I (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) required for initial licensure. The board approved a score of 1000 on the SAT®, taken prior to April 1, 1995, with at least 450 on the verbal and 510 on the mathematics tests or a score of 1100 on the SAT, taken after April 1, 1995, with at least 530 on the verbal and 530 on the mathematics tests as a substitute for Praxis I. Please note that the SAT® was approved as a substitute test only for Praxis I; individuals also must meet the Praxis II (subject area assessment) requirement for initial licensure. http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/scores/sending/old.html
On September 22, 2004, the Board of Education approved the use of the ACT as a substitute test for Praxis I (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) required for initial licensure. The board approved a composite score of 21, taken prior to April 1, 1995, with the ACT math score no less than 21 and an ACT English plus reading score no less than 37. A composite score of 24 with the ACT math score no less than 24 and an ACT English plus reading score no less than 46 will be accepted on tests taken after April 1, 1995. http://www.act.org/
Please note that the ACT was approved as a substitute for PRAXIS I. Individuals must also meet the PRAXIS II (subject area assessment) requirement for licensure.
ATTEND AN INFORMATION SESSION AT THE STAFFORD CAMPUS
