Secondary Education: Master's Degree with Licensure

There are a number of individuals who have earned B.S. or B.A. degrees who now want to obtain a master's degree leading to licensure as a secondary school teacher. In the program, students complete (or have completed) a minimum of 32 credits of undergraduate courses in one endorsement area (mathematics, social studies, English, earth science, chemistry, biology, or physics) and an additional 31-34 credits of education courses at the graduate level.

The graduate education component provides preparation in social and cultural foundations of education, adolescent development, classroom management, reading in the content area, microcomputers and curriculum, instructional strategies for secondary school, special needs students, research in curriculum and instruction, and a 14-week internship/student teaching experience. Courses include ESSE 506, 513, ECI 530, 608, 619, 640, 669, 680 and one instructional strategies course chosen from ECI 551 (English), 553 (Math), 554 (Science), 555 (Social Studies).

For the subject specialty, academic course requirements must be met in one of the following endorsement areas: mathematics, social studies, English, English as a second language, earth science, chemistry, biology, or physics.

Admission, Continuance, and Exit

Admission. Students must (1) hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; (2) achieve passing scores (as established by the Commonwealth of Virginia) on the Praxis I Academic Skills Assessment or Board-approved SAT/ACT scores: (3) have a general grade point average of 2.80; (4) take and receive satisfactory scores on either the Graduate Record Examination (score of 900 combined on verbal and quantitative for regular admission) or Miller Analogies Test (minimum score of 45 or 399 for regular admission); (5) have an interview with the graduate program director; and (6) submit an application for graduate studies. Performance in classes taken as a non-degree student will not be taken into consideration in the admission process. No courses in the academic major or professional education in which the student has made below a C- will be accepted for licensure in the Darden College of Education. Under certain circumstances, applicants who do not fully meet the requirements for regular admission to the program may be admitted on a provisional basis subject to conditions specified by the graduate program director for secondary education.

Continuance. Students must (1) maintain a grade point average of 3.00; (2) maintain a grade point average of 3.00 in the major; (3) receive a B or better in practicum to participate in teacher internship; and (4) pass Praxis II prior to the teacher internship. Passing scores must be attached to the teacher internship application.

Exit. Students must (1) have a 3.00 grade point average; (2) pass a written comprehensive examination; (3) have an exit interview; (4) have completed all course requirements; (5) submit an application for graduation, and (6) pass the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) prior to licensure. No courses in the academic major or professional education in which the student has made below a C- will be accepted for licensure requirements in the Darden College of Education.

Graduate Professional Education Classes

Instructional Strategies and Classroom Experiences

(Each course includes an off campus practicum; choose one to match your content area)

Program Director: Dr. Bob Lucking, 683-5545, Rm. 145 ED
Advisor for Graduate Program: Nola Nicholson, 683-3348, Rm 152 ED