Teacher Education Degree Programs

Students wishing to pursue an academic program leading to teacher licensure are required to complete a five-year curriculum leading to the simultaneous awarding of both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. This program, sponsored cooperatively by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Curry School of Education, provides an extensive liberal arts foundation, content area preparation, and professional study in education.

The bachelor’s degree provides a comprehensive background in the chosen liberal arts discipline, culminating in a B.A. or B.S. degree from the College. (Academic training comparable to the liberal arts degree is provided for physical/health education teachers through the Curry School, culminating in a B.S.Ed. degree.) These bachelor’s degree experiences are integrated with professional training in subject matter specialties, pedagogical aspects of education, and clinical/school-based experiences.

The five-year Teacher Education Program offered by the Curry School is recognized nationally for its strong foundation in the liberal arts and its advanced professional training aspects. The program requires that:

students complete all requirements for the bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.S., or B.S.Ed.) while also completing requirements for licensure and the Master of Teaching degree;

students complete a full major in the College and at least 102 credits of College- approved courses for the B.A. or B.S. degree; or 120 credits for the B.S.Ed. degree; students are involved in the practical aspects of teaching during each year of the program, beginning with their second year at the University; students are permitted to experience professional study early and continuously throughout a five-year period.

Enrollment Procedures for the Five-Year Teacher Education Program Students who are in the College of Arts and Sciences should apply for permission to enroll in the Teacher Education Program during the second semester of their first year of study, (application deadline is March 1). Students, including transfers from other institutions, may also apply to the program during their second year of study (prior to March 1) but must attend summer school in Charlottesville in order to complete professional course work before the start of their third year. Students in science, special education, math, or foreign languages may apply by March 1 of their third year.

Permission to enroll requires that the applicant be in good standing in the College of Arts and Sciences, provide adequate SAT scores, and complete a permission to enroll application with statements describing his or her (1) commitment to continued learning and intellectual growth; (2) interest in teaching and (3) previous experience working with children and youth. After enrollment, students are expected to demonstrate competence in quantitative skills, verbal skills (oral and written), and computer literacy. Students must remediate any identified deficiencies prior to graduation. All teacher education students must have a primary major in the College of Arts and Sciences (or in the Curry School for health/physical education majors).

Advancement to Graduate Study By December 1 of the fourth year, students apply to the Master of Teaching degree program in the Curry School of Education. Criteria for advancement to graduate study include: (1) demonstrated competence in basic skills (verbal, quantitative, and computer skills); (2) an outstanding grade point average (2.750 overall/3.000 in academic major); (3) one letter of recommendation addressing current or potential teaching skills; (4) satisfactory performance in all field experiences; (5) demonstrated proficiency in public speaking; and (6) satisfactory performance on the GRE and Praxis I.

Satisfactory Academic Performance in Teacher Education Courses required for the B.A./B.S. degree taken at the 400 level or below may be successfully completed with a passing grade of D- or better. Courses in the major must reflect a cumulative grade point average of 3.000 or better.

Courses taken at the 500 level or above in the major and in professional studies require a minimum grade of B- or better; 500-level courses taken before the fourth year in which a student has performed below the level of B- may be petitioned, with advisor and dean’s office approval, to have the grade standard waived.

Professional studies courses at the 500 level in which a student has received a failing grade (less than a B-) must be retaken, or a substitute professional course must be taken to replace the deficiency. Course substitution or retaking a course must be approved by the advisor and the Office of Teacher Education. Program deficiencies may require that the student be suspended from the program.

Graduation Requirement in Teacher Education All students in a teacher education program must take and pass the Praxis I and Praxis II examinations to graduate Applications for graduation are due by February 1.

Accelerated B.A.-M.T. Program Teacher education students may graduate with both the B.A. and M.T. degrees in 4.5 years. The student must meet all requirements for both degrees and attend a three week summer session. Applications for graduation are due by October 1.

Licensure Requirements Students are required to submit paperwork and the appropriate Virginia state fee to the Admissions Office (Ruffner 104) no later than February 1 of the fifth year. All course work must be completed and Praxis I and Praxis II exams must be passed to be recommended for licensure.

Financial Aid for Fifth-Year Students During their fifth year, teacher education students are classified as graduate students by the Office of Financial Aid. Thus, they qualify for graduate scholarship and loan programs, not undergraduate grants.

General Education

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All students in the B.A./B.S.-M.T. program must complete the general education requirements specified by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Curry School of Education or, in the case of B.S.Ed. candidates, those requirements specified exclusively by the Curry School of Education. Candidates for the B.A./B.S. degree must have completed a total of 102 credits from the College of Arts and Sciences.

In accordance with licensure requirements, specific courses within the general education core vary by teacher education program area. Detailed information can be obtained from the Teacher Education Office (221 Ruffner Hall).

Echols Scholars For Echols scholars in the B.A./B.S.-M.T. program, the general studies component should be a well-planned sequence of courses and experiences that must include theoretical and practical knowledge gained from studies in mathematics, natural science, social science, U.S. history, English communication, literature, and other humanities.

Policy Exceptions Exceptions to program policies must be requested on the Teacher Education Policy Exception form and must be approved by an advisor, the director of Teacher Education and a Curry Dean.

Professional Education Courses

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Students in teacher education pursue advanced course work in a specific discipline as well as professional education experiences. Prospective teachers begin professional studies during the second year through an exploration of teaching as a profession in a course called Teaching as a Profession (EDIS 201) and in field-based experiences in the community or schools (EDIS 288). Students declare a specific content major and continue to take courses in the teacher education program. Students are assigned two advisors, one representing the major in the College and one representing professional education (health/physical education majors have only one advisor). Students must meet with each advisor each semester. Students must complete teacher education core courses (Professional Education courses) in addition to their specified endorsement area courses.

Professional courses continue throughout the third, fourth, and fifth years, and include the following:

Note: Elementary and special education students who are psychology majors may substitute EDIS 705: Behavior Management for EDLF 501.

Teaching Fields

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The requirements for each teaching specialization are largely determined by the kind of teaching position for which the student is preparing. The teacher education requirements are in addition to the courses required in general education and are in compliance with state licensure guidelines.

All those completing M.T. programs for initial licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia pass the Praxis I and Specialty Area Examinations (Praxis II). Students should contact their advisor in the Curry School of Education or the Office of Admissions for further information. Praxis I exams must be taken in the third year and Praxis II in the fifth year. Taking and passing the Praxis exams and appropriate specialty tests are graduation requirements. Course sequences for all teacher education programs may be obtained from the Office of Teacher Education (221 Ruffner Hall), or from the Teacher Education website (http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/TeacherEd).

Elementary Education Programs The elementary education program leads to licensure and endorsement for teaching in PreK-6 classrooms. Prospective elementary teachers may complete a major from any discipline in the arts and sciences.

Secondary Education Programs The University of Virginia offers a wide choice of academic majors, with many majors leading directly to an endorsement to teach in the secondary school.

Note: The credits required for a major at the University of Virginia generally do not match the credits required for an endorsement in a particular field. Introductory courses that may not be counted for a major in the College may be counted for endorsement purposes.

When completing a second endorsement, the specific pedagogy courses for each of the requested endorsement areas are required.

The following descriptions are for endorsement programs approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education:

English The curriculum for prospective teachers of English fulfills the guidelines of the National Council of Teachers of English plus all requirements of the Commonwealth of Virginia for teaching grades 6-12. In addition to teacher education core courses minimum requirements include:

3 credits in English composition (ENWR 110) or equivalent

32 credits in upper-division English courses, including:

6 credits in history of English literature

6 credits in literature before 1800

1 course in Shakespeare

1 course in American literature (pre-1900)

1 course in American literature (post 1900)

1 course in the novel

1 course in poetry

1 course in creative or non-fiction writing

1 course in teaching composition

1 course in language, literacy, and culture

1 course in literature for adolescents

2 courses in American/English literature at the graduate level

Course work should include the history of the English language. Courses dealing with women and minority American writers and those providing a working knowledge of theatrical and cinematic aesthetics are recommended.

Foreign Language Education Endorsement programs for PreK-12 are available in French, German, Latin, and Spanish. Students must complete a 30-credit major at the 300 level and above, plus two graduate-level courses in the appropriate foreign language and literature department. Course work must be related to advanced grammar and composition, advanced conversation, culture and civilization, literature, and applied linguistics, with a minimum of the following credits in the specific language.

French: 36 credits at the 300 level and above

German: 30 credits at the 300 level and above

Spanish: 36 credits at the 300 level and above

Students majoring in a foreign language are required to take a speaking and writing proficiency test in their target language. Final admission to the Teacher Education Program will be contingent upon the results of these tests. An exit proficiency test in both skills will be required for licensure as a teacher of foreign languages. In addition to language and language education courses, students are required to complete teacher education core courses.

Latin Students seeking endorsement as a Latin teacher must complete 18 credits (above LATI 103) and 12 credits in related subjects. Course experiences should include reading and comprehension of Latin; Latin phonology, morphology, and syntax; the culture and civilization of the Roman people; and literary masterpieces. Teachers who have completed requirements for endorsement in other modern languages may be additionally endorsed by completing 12 credits above LATI 103 and CLAS 202.

Students who have completed a major (including all endorsement requirements) in one modern foreign language or Latin may be endorsed in a second language by completing 18 credits above the 300 level. Course experiences must include advanced grammar and composition, conversation, culture and civilization, literature, and applied linguistics.

An endorsement in English as a Second Language is available to students with majors in an existing licensure program or with a valid teaching license. ESL is an add-on endorsement only. Students wishing to pursue ESL should speak to their advisor and contact the Teacher Education Office for approval.

English as a Second Language An endorsement in English as a Second Language is available to students with majors in a modern foreign language or any education licensure/endorsement field. Requirements include credits in linguistics, including general linguistics; English phonology, morphology and syntax; applied linguistics; and courses in teaching and assessment of English as a second language.

Mathematics requires a major in mathematics or its equivalent, including at least 9 courses in mathematics above the calculus sequence. The math major must include calculus, 6 credits of mathematical analysis with differential equations, 6 credits of linear and modern algebra, 6 credits of probability and statistics and 3 credits of geometry. At least 6 of these credits must be taken at the 500 level or above. In addition, at least 3 credits of computer science and 3 credits of educational computing must be presented. Required professional endorsement courses include EDIS 545 (Teaching Secondary Mathematics) and EDIS 587 (Seminar in Mathematics).

Algebra Add-on Endorsement A student who has completed requirements for an endorsement in another area may be additionally endorsed to teach general mathematics and algebra by completing a concentration of 20 credits of computer science and math, including two courses in differential and integral calculus, one course in linear or modern algebra, two courses selected from mathematical analysis, discrete mathematics, geometry, probability, statistics, and at least one course in computer science.

Science Teacher education students interested in science participate in programs designed to meet or exceed the standards of the National Science Teachers Association. Science education majors must complete 52 credits in science, mathematics (at least to introductory calculus), statistics, and computer applications in order to demonstrate depth and breadth of scientific background. Additionally science teacher education students are required to take at least 1 course in the history of science.

Social Studies The Social Studies program is designed for teachers in grades 6-12 who wish to be prepared to teach United States History, World History, Government, Economics, Political Science, or Geography. Students are required to successfully complete the following courses from the College:

Early Childhood and Developmental Risk combining licensure requirements for early childhood special education (birth-age 5) and primary education (PreK-grade 3) this program focuses on the needs of children at-risk for failure. The program specifies courses from both special education (severe disabilities) and elementary education. Students enrolled in this program must complete a psychology major in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Special Education Programs meet the guidelines of the Council for Exceptional Children and prepare teachers to work in at least two handicapping areas: behaviorally disordered, learning disabilities, and/or mental retardation. Professional preparation for special education must include credits in the characteristics of two specific disabilities (behavioral disabilities, mental retardation, or learning disabilities); credits in reading and reading diagnostics; principles of curriculum and instruction for exceptional individuals, methodology for exceptional individuals, classroom management and psychoeducational assessment of exceptional individuals, math and technology, and field experiences in teaching exceptional individuals. Endorsements in these programs are K-12.

Kinesiology (Health and Physical Education Program) The five-year program leading to endorsement in health and physical education (with a possible add-on in athletic training) requires that all students transfer into the Curry School of Education for a combined B.S.Ed.-M.T. degree. This health and physical education program follows the same format as the B.A.-M.T. option, but it is located entirely in the Curry School due to the specific disciplinary course offerings related to human movement sciences (e.g., anatomy, kinesiology, motor learning, and sport psychology).

Health and physical education majors must take BIOL 201-202 and a lab as part of the natural science requirements. Students must take a variety of performance courses and are therefore not required to complete the foreign language courses within the humanities area (although 12 credits of humanities are required, and those may include foreign languages).

The content major for health and physical education focuses on human movement sciences such as anatomy, health topics, kinesiology, exercise physiology, motor learning, etc. This program qualifies individuals to meet endorsement requirements to teach physical education and health K-12. The program is designed to meet all AAHPERD (NASPE) certification requirements.

Individuals complete 45 credits in the College of Arts and Sciences plus 25 credits in human physical development and movement sciences including motor development, anatomy, kinesiology, exercise physiology, and motor learning; 10 credits in physical performance areas (sports, dance, rhythms); 10 credits in adapted physical education, including developmental disorders and orthopedic/sensory impairments; and 18 credits in health education.

Professional preparation in health and physical education includes the following courses:

All students are required to attend at least one state or national convention within the profession of physical education and to fulfill an experience in outdoor education.

Practicum experiences in health and physical education include the regular sequence of field experiences in the five-year teacher education program (EDIS 288, 488); instructional technology (EDLF 345); special teaching experiences in physical education (EDHS 357, 358, 377); and the K-12 teaching associateship (Student Teaching: EDHS 771, 772).

An area of concentration is available in athletic training upon completion of 13 credits in selected courses. In addition, 1,500 clock hours of practicum work in athletic training are needed to take the NATA certification examination.

The Sports Medicine Program is a four-year, pre-professional curriculum leading to a B.S.Ed. in Physical Education. Most students electing this option will pursue a graduate degree following the receipt of the B.S.Ed. degree.

Eligibility for admission to the program is based on the admission requirements of the University of Virginia, the Curry School of Education, and the Health and Physical Education Program Area. Generally, applicants require at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and 1000 combined score on the SAT. Since the program is geared toward graduate study, a strong background in the general sciences is recommended. Students should be career oriented in sports medicine or allied health areas. Enrollment is limited to 15 students per year.

General education requirements are 12 credits in humanities, including English composition and English literature; 12 credits in social sciences, including one course each in introductory psychology and introductory sociology; and 12 credits in math and science. For specific course requirements by program area, go to this website (http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/kinesiology/sprtmed).

Sports Medicine is a specialization that leads to career opportunities in allied health professions. Students must complete 120 credits of course work emphasizing the human movement sciences and basic natural sciences (chemistry, physics, physiology) and sports medicine. Additional requirements include attendance at a professional conference and, to qualify for the NATA certification exam, 1500 Practicum Hours of Athletic Training.

The Communication Disorders Program The B.S. Ed. degree, awarded upon completion of the four-year, 120-credit program, is not adequate preparation for provision of clinical services to children and adults with communicative disorders, nor for professional certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The undergraduate curriculum prepares students who wish to choose from one of three career paths in communication disorders: audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech and hearing science. Completion of an accredited graduate program in speech-language pathology or audiology is required for ASHA certification and state licensure. Academic programs should not be perceived as a rigid set of requirements but, rather, as a guide for academic planning. The advisor’s permission is required for any official academic registrations, including add/drops.

General education requirements for applicants are 12 credits in humanities, including English composition and English literature (required) with the balance from any of the following fields: foreign language, public speaking, fine arts, music, or philosophy; 12 credits in social sciences, including one class in American history (HIUS required), two classes in psychology and/or sociology, with the balance from psychology, sociology, history, anthropology, economics, political science, or geography; 15 credits in natural sciences and mathematics, including a course in college level mathematics (MATH 111 or above), statistics, PHYS 105 or 106, and 2 other science courses; EDHS 450, one credit in physical activity (PHYE), and six credits in professional education (EDLF 315 or PSYC 250 and EDLF 316). The program includes a minimum of 35 credits of approved course work in the nature, prevention, evaluation, and treatment of speech, language, hearing, and related disorders (EDIS 521, EDIS 302, EDIS 504, EDIS 512, EDIS 510 or 511, EDHS 545, and a psycholinguistics course). This pre-professional course work addresses issues pertaining to normal and abnormal human development and behavior across the life span as well as issues related to culturally diverse populations. See this website: http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/commdis.