The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. — William Arthur Ward
We know good teachers make a difference. That's why we're dedicated to helping you succeed in becoming the best teacher possible.
With faculty from 12 departments to help prepare you, and a partnership with award-winning Newport News Schools for field experiences, graduates of the teacher preparation program are among the finest in Virginia.
Licensure Requirements
Upon successful completion of your program, the Office of Teacher Preparation will file for your Virginia teaching license.
In order for you to be recommended/eligible for a license, you must:
- Have a grade of at least C- in the student teaching internship
- Have demonstrated through student teaching that you've met the competencies necessary to be a successful teacher
- Have passing scores on the Praxis II, VCLA and RVE (elementary candidates only) examinations
- Have completed the Child Abuse module
- Have completed the Restraint and Seclusion module
- Have completed the Virginia Civics module (elementary candidates only)
- Have completed the Dyslexia module
- Have completed certification in first aid/CPR/AED
All required documents must be on file in the Office of Teacher Preparation prior to graduation of the year you are completing your program. These items include: the VDOE license application, official transcripts of all coursework (undergraduate and graduate), official test scores and a check for $100 (in-state) or $150 (out-of-state), payable to Treasurer of Virginia.
For further information on licensure, see the Virginia Department of Education.
If you are seeking licensure for secondary areas (grades 6-12), or PK-12 areas (art, music, ESL or Spanish), the following majors are applicable:
- Biology: cellular, molecular and physiological biology; environmental biology; integrative biology; organismal biology major
- Chemistry: chemistry major
- English: English major
- English as a second language – any liberal arts or science major (English, foreign language or psychology preferred)
- History and social science: history or political science major
- Mathematics: math major
- Music, choral or instrumental: music major – pre-certification choral or pre-certification instrumental concentration (five-year program only)
- Physics: applied physics major
- Spanish: Spanish major
- Visual art: studio art major