M.Ed. Initial Teacher Licensure

Is the M.Ed. initial teacher licensure right for me?

The Master of Education Initial Teacher Licensure program is designed for adults who have earned a bachelor’s degree and wish to obtain teaching credentials. The program is designed to meet adult learners’ needs, with courses in the evenings, weekends, blended, and online formats.

Pathways include:

• Elementary Education (Grades PreK-6)
• Middle Grades Education (Grades 6-8)
• PreK-12 Education (Grades PreK-12)
• Secondary Education (Grades 6-12)
• Special Education: Adapted Curriculum (Grades K-12)
• Special Education: General Curriculum (Grades K-12)

Non-degree courses

Teachers with provisional or conditional licenses and those who need to renew their licenses. Or students who need one to two courses and those with an in-progress application to the program. They may take courses as Non-Degree students.

For additional information about non-degree options, contact the Director of Advising Center Services for the College of Education, April Brecht, at 540-286-8032 or abrecht@umw.edu.

Learning outcomes

Through essential course work and field experiences prescribed by Virginia Licensure Regulations (VLR) teacher, candidates learn to demonstrate and apply the teaching and subject knowledge competencies in the VLR explained by skillful teachers. You’ll acquire an initial teaching license and receive support, supervision, and evaluation. You will receive the advice you need to pinpoint the educator you want to become. You will learn to teach for understanding and focus on the learner’s nature. You will make critical decisions, master content expertise, and create a motivating classroom culture. Students gain experience and skills monitoring professional growth through research, reflection, and problem-solving. Many courses require students to complete field experiences in public schools.

Career preparation

Courses focus on Virginia licensure regulations and prepare you to teach elementary, middle, secondary, PreK-12, or special education.

Program format

You need flexibility and our courses are available evenings, weekends, and in blended and online formats.

Graduate tuition and fees

The tuition and mandatory fees outlined below have been approved by the Board of Visitors and are effective for the 2022-2023 Academic Year.

Application dates and deadlines

The suggested filing dates to enroll for the fall semester are Priority Jun 1, Standard Jul 1, and Space Available Aug 1. The spring suggested filing dates are Priority Nov 1, Standard Dec 1, and Space Available Jan 1. The summer filing dates are Priority Feb 1, Standard Mar 15, and Space Available Apr 15. UMW does accept post-filing date applications on a rolling, space-available basis.

Please take a look at our M.Ed. Initial Teacher Licensure Application Checklist for the materials you’ll need to get started.