Admission - Teacher Preparation Application 1252x450-96 [View Image]
The School of Education has adopted a Gate system for our initial licensure programs to highlight the major transition points for the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) matriculation. There are five gates as checkpoints to ensure candidate success and program completion. Not all gates apply to all programs. Based on the candidate’s degree goals and origin of the undergraduate degree, candidates may complete some gates simultaneously.
**Note that this applies to students entering our programs from VCU. Students from all other institutions will complete the Graduate School M.T. Application first and then will work with our licensure team to apply to Teacher Preparation once you have a VCU student ID.
Admission to the Teacher Preparation Program is a distinct and unique admission process, separate from admission to the University (degree programs such as B.S.Ed. or graduate Master of Teaching (M.T.) or Masters of Education (M.Ed.) in special education or counseling concentrations). Additional information can be found on the Gates 2-5 description page. Admission to the Teacher Preparation Program is the first gate that will provide entry and candidacy for our licensure program tracks.
The information below will provide an overview of the Teacher Preparation application process, prerequisite courses, tests, unique teaching area concentration requirements, program exit, and related licensure procedures (Gate 5). Based on a student’s past academic program and future licensure degree goals prerequisite courses and testing requirements may vary.
Admissions Deadlines
Spring: October 15
Fall: April 1
Note: there is no summer admission to Teacher Preparation
Step 1: Review and complete the prerequisite course(s) and testing requirements for your specific program (see below)
Step 2: Complete the Online Application
Step 3: Submit all required supporting materials with your Teacher Preparation application
Note: Students who have completed a bachelor’s at VCU or another institution, can complete the School of Education graduate online application at the same time as you are submitting your online Teacher Preparation application materials. Once admitted to the university and your undergraduate program, freshman or transfer students will be guided through the Teacher Preparation admissions process by your academic advisor and our Student Services team.
Please note that testing requirements have changed for our VCU School of Education initial license teacher preparation programs. As of December 1, 2019, please review the NEW testing requirements to prepare for your Virginia license teacher preparation requirements.
**Effective Fall 2020, the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Math, Reading, and Writing) and MAT will be removed from testing options for admission to Teacher Preparation.
In Virginia, teachers must pass a Basic Skills Test requirement and also Subject Area Competence assessments related to their teaching specialty area for licensure & program completion.
Basic Skills Test
Liberal Studies for Early and Elementary Education at VCU is an extended program where students take prerequisite courses for their Teacher Preparation requirements as part of their undergraduate program. Please contact your LSEE advisor to guide you through the steps in applying to Teacher Preparation as well as completing your undergraduate program. Upon admission to Teacher Preparation, you will be assigned a School of Education advisor.
All U.S. states require that teachers be licensed before they can teach in public schools.
Here at VCU, your Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed), Master of Teaching (M.T.), or Master of Education (M.Ed.) in special education or counseling concentrations, will incorporate the requirements for licensure or certification, and you will apply for Virginia licensure credentials at the conclusion of your student teaching or internship. Many states have reciprocity agreements that make it easier for educators licensed in one state to become certified in another. Currently, Virginia has reciprocity agreements with over 40 states. To learn more, visit our Licensure & Reciprocity page.
Please review our licensure to program comparison chart for more information about our various approved program pathways.
Once all course and embedded clinical requirements for Virginia teacher certification have been satisfied with the VCU program (Gate 5), candidates must apply for a license from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Based on your degree program, you will be required to provide one or more of the following documents to support the application:
If you are a provisionally licensed teacher who is not interested in completing one of our initial licensure programs, you are welcome to take some of our courses as a non-degree seeking student. Your school division HR professional will guide you through the process. Please review the course listings under TEDU - Teacher Education, SEDP - Special Education and Disability Policy, and EDUS - Educational Studies, and ECSC - Early Childhood Special Education to identify courses appropriate for your specific licensure needs.
Please note for students who may be interested in applying to a graduate program, only six credits (two 3-credit courses) may be transferred into a graduate program from your non-degree seeking status. Please contact soeinfo@vcu.edu if you have questions about applying to a future program.
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