Planning Your Program
Once students declare the education minor, typically some time during their sophomore year, they must consult with the Department of Education’s teacher preparation advisors as well their major advisor to ensure that they satisfy all the requirements of both programs and achieve their educational goals.
The curriculum’s education courses range from foundations courses to courses in classroom management, diversity, reading, curriculum development and technology. All students complete a student teaching experience in either an elementary, secondary or comprehensive (preK-12) environment.
Student Teaching
At the beginning of the spring semester of the junior year, students apply for admission to the student teaching program. To be eligible, they must have met the SAT, ACT or Praxis I requirement, have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7, have a GPA of at least 3.0 in education coursework and have no more than one grade of C or lower in education coursework. Student teachers are placed in schools in the surrounding four school districts: Chesterfield County Public Schools, Hanover County Public Schools, Henrico County Public Schools and Richmond City Schools. While students are completing their student-teaching program, they meet for a weekly seminar to discuss critical issues related to individual students’ responsibilities and competencies. Consult the student teaching handbook for more information about program requirements.
Applying for a License
During student teaching, students apply for a Virginia Teaching License and complete a Career Development Center file. Before the senior year ends, students must also take and pass the Praxis II test required for the endorsement.
