A series of graduate-level professional development courses in education is offered to assist individuals in meeting the professional studies requirement for the alternate route to teacher licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Why Teaching?

Employment of middle and secondary school teachers is expected to grow by 13 percent through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts.

Who Should Enroll?

The courses are intended for individuals with a minimum of an undergraduate degree (BA/BS) who are interested in obtaining Virginia teacher licensure to teach at the middle and secondary school level.  They are also ideal for teachers with provisional licenses who need to complete the professional studies requirement needed for Virginia teacher licensure. 

Prospective teachers must complete a four-part process in order to receive a license to teach in Virginia.  The alternate licensure process is the responsibility of the individual. The University of Virginia does not submit licensure requirements for individuals enrolled in professional studies courses. Application for licensure is made by the school system employing the provisional licensure applicant.  For a detailed listing of all requirements for Virginia teacher licensure, visit the Virginia Department of Education. 

1. Exams: The Professional Teacher Assessment exams for middle, secondary, and PreK-12 endorsements are the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) and Praxis II.
2. Endorsement:  Each teaching license includes those subjects(s) the individual is qualified to teach. There are 57 specific endorsement areas determined by Virginia. The undergraduate degree is the basis for determining an endorsement area.
3. Teaching: One academic year of successful full-time teaching experience in the endorsement area is required in an accredited public or non-public school. Once hired as a full-time teacher on a provisional license, you have three years to complete all requirements for certification.
4. Professional Studies Courses:  This requirement involves 15-18 semester hours of courses,  including:

• Human Development (3 semester hours)
• Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (3 semester hours)
• Classroom Management (3 semester hours)
• Foundations of Education (3 semester hours)
• Reading (3-6 semester hours; endorsement specific)