Master of Education Initial Licensure Program: 5-Year Pathways

MASTER OF EDUCATION INITIAL LICENSURE PROGRAM: 5-YEAR PATHWAYS

There are four distinct five-year pathways within the M.Ed. Initial Licensure Program:
• M.Ed. Initial Licensure Five Year Pathway: PreK-12
• M.Ed. Initial Licensure Five Year Pathway: Secondary
• M.Ed. Initial Licensure Five Year Pathway: Special Education Adapted Curriculum
• M.Ed. Initial Licensure Five Year Pathway: Special Education General Curriculum

Each Pathway is described separately below.

M.Ed. Initial Licensure Five Year Pathway: PreK-12

The M.Ed. Initial Teacher Licensure 5-Year Pathway: PreK-12 is a combined undergraduate-graduate degree program designed for students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the College of Arts and Sciences and who also wish to obtain teaching credentials. Students must complete general education requirements, a liberal arts or sciences major, and professional studies (education course work) requirements. The program requires the course work and field experiences prescribed by the Virginia Licensure Regulations for an initial teaching license. Students complete education course work and field experiences at the undergraduate level; graduate with their class receiving their bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts or sciences major; and return for one more year during which they complete graduate education course work, an internship, and a research study.

The M. Ed. Initial Teacher Licensure 5-Year Pathway: PreK-12 is designed for the following licensure areas where endorsement is for grades preK-12: Visual Arts, Foreign Language (French, German, Latin, Spanish), Music, and Theatre Arts.

FORMAL ADMISSION

For Formal Admission and permission to take the first education course, EDUC 203 or 204, current UMW students must have attained a cumulative 2.5 GPA or better in at least 12 UMW credits, have submitted passing scores on Praxis I or qualifying equivalent assessments, and have attended a group information session. Applications are due the first Monday in October for admission to EDUC 203 or 204 during the subsequent spring semester, and the first Monday in February for admission to EDUC 203 or 204 during the subsequent fall semester. Transfer students who have a 3.25 GPA, have submitted passing scores on Praxis I or qualifying equivalent assessments, and have taken an education course at their previous institution may apply to take EDUC 203 or 204 in their first semester at UMW. They should submit their application for EDUC 203 or 204 by May 15 for fall enrollment or December 1 for spring enrollment. Transfer students who do not submit applications by these deadlines or do not meet the above requirements should apply to take these courses once they are enrolled at UMW under the guidelines for current UMW students. After students successfully complete EDUC 203 or 204, they are assigned to a professional studies cohort that is determined by the year they will complete the graduate coursework. Students are required to meet for advising sessions each semester.

CONTINUANCE REQUIREMENT

To continue in the program, students must:
1. maintain good academic standing with an overall GPA of 2.5 or better;
2. achieve a GPA of 3.0 or better on the required professional education courses;
3. demonstrate the potential to meet the program goals;
4. demonstrate the ability to meet the Minimum Performance Standards, as specified in the Teacher Education Program Handbook;
5. achieve satisfactory evaluations in all field experiences; and
6. attend all mandatory cohort advising meetings.

GRADUATE ADMISSION

Students who apply for the fifth or graduate year of the M.Ed. in PreK-12 Education should submit their application for Graduate Admission in December of their final year of undergraduate study. To receive Final Admission to the program, students must do the following:
1. continue to meet the criteria listed for program continuation,
2. successfully complete required undergraduate course work,
3. receive a baccalaureate degree from UMW,
4. successfully complete INDT 501 and EDCI 515,pass Praxis II and the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment
6. submit two letters of recommendation.

EXIT REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of the program and recommendation for licensure to the Virginia Department of Education are contingent upon:
1. a 2.5 G.P.A. overall, and a 3.0 in the professional studies sequence;
2. completion of all degree requirements (undergraduate and graduate);
3. a grade of “B” or better in all graduate coursework and the Teaching Internship;
4. achieving passing scores on Praxis II, the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment and the Child Abuse Recognition and Intervention training as required as established by the Virginia State Board of Education.

PROGRAM COURSE SEQUENCE

Required Undergraduate Courses

EDUC 203 or EDUC 204 Introduction to Teaching and Learning: Secondary and PreK-12 (3 credits)
EDUC 351 Instructional Design and Assessment (4 credits)
EDUC 387 Introduction to Special Education: Elementary (3 credits)
or EDUC 384 Introduction to Special Education: Secondary (3 credits)
EDUC 388 Managing the Elementary Classroom (2 credits)
or EDUC 385 Managing the Secondary Classroom (2 credits)
EDUC 420 The Professional Teacher and Critical Issues in Education (3 credits)

One of the following four courses:

EDUC 318 The Teaching of Music (4 credits)
EDUC 319 The Teaching of Foreign Language (4 credits)
EDUC 320 The Teaching of Art (4 credits)
EDUC 324 The Teaching of English (including Drama, Speech and Journalism) (4 credits)

Required Graduate Courses

INDT 501 Instructional Technology (3 credits)
EDCI 515 Literacy and Language Across the Curriculum (3 credits)
EDUC 521 Educational Research Methods (2 credits)
EDUC 535 Advanced Pedagogy (8 credits)
EDCI 580 Introduction to Research (3 credits)
EDUC 530 Masters Research (3 credits)
EDUC 540 Initial Licensure Internship (12 credits)
EDUC 541 Secondary and PreK-12 Graduate Internship Seminar (1 credit)

M.Ed. Initial Licensure Five Year Pathway: Secondary

The M.Ed. Initial Teacher Licensure 5-Year Pathway: Secondary is a combined undergraduate-graduate degree program designed for students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the College of Arts and Sciences and who also wish to obtain teaching credentials. Students must complete general education requirements, a liberal arts or sciences major, and professional studies (education course work) requirements. The program requires the course work and field experiences prescribed by the Virginia Licensure Regulations for an initial teaching license. Students complete education course work and field experiences at the undergraduate level; graduate with their class receiving their bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts or sciences major; and return for one more year during which they complete graduate education course work, an internship, and a research study.

The M. Ed. Initial Teacher Licensure 5-Year Pathway: Secondary is designed for the following licensure areas where endorsement is for grades 6-12: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, English, Earth Science, History and Social Science, Mathematics, and Physics. Add-on endorsements are offered in Journalism, Speech Communication, and Algebra I.

FORMAL ADMISSION

For Formal Admission and permission to take the first education course, EDUC 204, current UMW students must have attained a cumulative 2.5 GPA or better in at least 12 UMW credits, have submitted passing scores on Praxis I or qualifying equivalent assessments, and have attended a group information session. Applications are due the first Monday in October for admission to EDUC 204 during the subsequent spring semester, and the first Monday in February for admission to EDUC 204 during the subsequent fall semester. Transfer students who have a 3.25 GPA, have submitted passing scores on Praxis I or qualifying equivalent assessments, and have taken an education course at their previous institution may apply to take EDUC 204 in their first semester at UMW. They should submit their application for EDUC 204 by May 15 for fall enrollment or December 1 for spring enrollment. Transfer students who do not submit applications by these deadlines or do not meet the above requirements should apply to take these courses once they are enrolled at UMW under the guidelines for current UMW students. After students successfully complete EDUC 204, they are assigned to a professional studies cohort that is determined by the year they will complete the graduate coursework. Students are required to meet for advising sessions each semester.

CONTINUANCE REQUIREMENTS

To continue in the program, students must:
1. maintain good academic standing with an overall GPA of 2.5 or better;
2. achieve a GPA of 3.0 or better on the required professional education courses;
3. demonstrate the potential to meet the program goals;
4. demonstrate the ability to meet the Minimum Performance Standards,
as specified in the Teacher Education Program Handbook;
5. achieve satisfactory evaluations in all field experiences; and
6. attend all mandatory cohort advising meetings. Students not accepted into the program should note that there is a 12-credit limit on education course work that may be applied toward the degree.

GRADUATE ADMISSION

Students who apply for the fifth or graduate year of the M.Ed. in Secondary Education should submit their application for Graduate Admission in December of their final year of undergraduate study. To receive Final Admission to the program students must do the following:
1. continue to meet the criteria listed for continuing in the program,
2. successfully complete required undergraduate course work,
3. receive a baccalaureate degree from UMW,
4. successfully complete INDT 501 and EDCI 515,
5. pass Praxis II and the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment
6. submit two letters of recommendation.

EXIT REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of the program and recommendation for licensure to the Virginia Department of Education are contingent upon:
1. a 2.5 G.P.A. overall, and a 3.0 in the professional studies sequence;
2. completion of all degree requirements (undergraduate and graduate);
3. a grade of “B” or better in all graduate coursework and the Teaching Internship;
4. achieving passing scores on Praxis I (or qualifying equivalent assessments), Praxis II, the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment and the Child Abuse Recognition and Intervention training as required as established by the Virginia State Board of Education.

COURSE SEQUENCE

Required Undergraduate Courses

EDUC 204 Introduction to Teaching and Learning: Secondary and PreK-12 (3 credits)
EDUC 351 Instructional Design and Assessment (4 credits)
EDUC 384 Introduction to Special Education: Secondary (3 credits)
EDUC 385 Managing the Secondary Classroom (2 credits)
EDUC 420 The Professional Teacher and Critical Issues in Education (3 credits)

One of the following four courses:

EDUC 321 The Teaching of Mathematics and Computer Science (4 credits)
EDUC 322 The Teaching of Social Sciences (4 credits)
EDUC 323 The Teaching of Sciences (4 credits)
EDUC 324 The Teaching of English (including Speech, Drama and Journalism) (4 credits)

Required Graduate Courses

EDCI 515 Literacy and Language Across the Curriculum (3 credits)
EDUC 521 Educational Research Methods (2 credits)
EDUC 535 Advanced Pedagogy (8 credits)
EDCI 580 Introduction to Research (3 credits)
EDUC 530 Masters Research (3 credits)
EDUC 540 Initial Licensure Internship (12 credits)
EDUC 541 Secondary and PreK-12 Graduate Internship Seminar (1 credit)
INDT 501 Instructional Technology (3credits)

Master of Education Initial Licensure Program 5-Year Pathway – Special Education: Adapted Curriculum

The College of Education offers a five-year undergraduate-graduate degree program for initial teacher licensure in Special Education. Students will enroll in a series of professional studies courses in Education as components of the undergraduate program and complete the remaining licensure course work as part of the Masters degree.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (undergraduate level)

Admission to the M.Ed. program for initial licensure in Special Education: Adapted Curriculum K-12 requires:
1. A completed application
2. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher
3. A GPA of 3.0 or higher in professional education courses taken prior to admission
4. Passing scores on PRAXIS I—reading, writing, and mathematics—tests (or qualifying SAT or ACT scores) must be submitted prior enrollment in EDUC 203 or 204

CONTINUANCE REQUIREMENTS (undergraduate)

To remain in the program, a student must:
1. Maintain good academic standing with a minimum 2.5 GPA overall, and a 3.0 in the professional studies course work.
2. Demonstrate potential for teaching excellence as indicated by performance in courses and field experiences and positive evaluations or indications of potential and growth by mentor teachers in field experience work;

ADMISSION TO GRADUATE PROGRAM

1. A completed application
2. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on undergraduate course work, and a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on education course work;
3. Completion of the undergraduate degree

PROGRAM COURSE SEQUENCE for Special Education Adapted Curriculum

Undergraduate Professional Studies Sequence

EDUC 203 Introduction to Learning and Teaching Elementary (3 credits)
or EDUC 204 Introduction to Learning and Teaching Secondary (3 credits)
EDUC 371 Language Development and Literacy Instruction: Primary (3 credits)
EDUC 390 Survey of Special Education: Characteristics and Legal Aspects (3 credits)
EDUC 420 The Professional Teacher and Critical Issues in Education (3 credits)

Graduate Professional Studies/Endorsement Sequence

EDCI 500 Teaching and the Development of the Learner (3 credits)*
EDSE 534 Assessment, Evaluation and Instructional Planning (3 credits)*
EDSE 533 Positive Approaches to Behavior Management (online option) (3 credits)
EDSE 534 Assessment, Evaluation and Instructional Planning (3 credits)*
EDSE 535 Collaborative Consultation and Transition Planning (online option) (3 credits)
EDSE 521 Language and Literacy for Special Populations (3 credits)
EDSE 519 General and Special Education Goals and Practices: Elementary (3 credits)
EDCI 589 Applied Research (3 credits)
INDT 531 Emerging and Assistive Technologies – online, (3 credits)
EDSE 552 M.Ed. Internship for Special Education Initial Licensure Five Year Pathway (9 credits)**

*Courses taken during the final undergraduate year.
**Students must pass Reading for Virginia Educators Test (RVE) and Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) prior to being accepted for EDSE 552

EXIT REQUIREMENTS

A student must:
1. Complete all course work and field experiences with at least a 3.0 (B) GPA;
2. Obtain passing scores on state-required assessments (Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment, Reading for Virginia Educators – General Curriculum only: Elementary and Special Education, Child Abuse and Recognition Module);
3. Perform at an acceptable level in EDCI 552, as indicated by: mentor teacher and university supervisor evaluations, successful completion of an electronic portfolio, and a final grade of B- or higher; and
4. Complete all teacher licensure requirements as verified through an exit interview with the faculty advisor or university supervisor.

READMISSION

Students in the following categories must apply for readmission to the program:
1. Those who have not attended the University for three consecutive semesters; or
2. Those who were suspended from the program for failure to pass PRAXIS I.

Students who are readmitted are subject to the degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission. When a student is readmitted, the four-year limit from time of first admission is still in effect. Academic work that was completed more than four years before the date when the teacher licensure program is completed may not be acceptable in satisfying the licensure requirements. If a student needs additional time to complete the course work, the student must apply in writing to the department chair for an extension. Such requests must be received at least one month prior to the end of the student’s original four-year time limit.

Master of Education Initial Licensure Program 5-Year Pathway – Special Education: General Curriculum

The College of Education offers a five-year undergraduate-graduate degree program for initial teacher licensure in Special Education. Students will enroll in a series of professional studies courses in Education as components of the undergraduate program and complete the remaining licensure course work as part of the Masters degree.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (undergraduate level)

Admission to the M.Ed. program for initial licensure in Special Education: General Curriculum K-12 requires:
1. A completed application
2. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher
3. A GPA of 3.0 or higher in professional education courses taken prior to admission
4. Passing scores on PRAXIS I—reading, writing, and mathematics—tests (or qualifying SAT or ACT scores) must be submitted prior to enrollment in EDUC 203

CONTINUANCE REQUIREMENTS (undergraduate)

To remain in the program, a student must:
1. Maintain good academic standing with a minimum 2.5 GPA overall, and a 3.0 in the professional studies course work.
2. Demonstrate potential for teaching excellence as indicated by performance in courses and field experiences and positive evaluations or indications of potential and growth by mentor teachers in field experience work;

ADMISSION TO GRADUATE PROGRAM

1. A completed application
2. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on undergraduate course work, and a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on education course work;
3. Completion of the undergraduate degree

PROGRAM COURSE SEQUENCE for Special Education General Curriculum

At the undergraduate level prospective students must major in History, English, Mathematics or Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Earth Science).

Undergraduate Professional Studies Sequence

EDUC 203 Introduction to Learning and Teaching Elementary (3 credits)
EDUC 371 Language Development and Literacy Instruction: Primary (3 credits)
EDUC 351 Instructional Design and Assessment (4 credits)
EDUC 390 Survey of Special Education: Characteristics and Legal Aspects (3 credits)
EDUC 420 The Professional Teacher and Critical Issues in Education (3 credits)

Methods course (select one based on major course of study):

EDUC 321 The Teaching of Mathematics and Computer Science (4 credits)
EDUC 322 The Teaching of Social Sciences (4 credits)
EDUC 323 The Teaching of Sciences (4 credits)
EDUC 324 The Teaching of English (4 credits)

Graduate Professional Studies/Endorsement Sequence

EDCI 500 Teaching and the Development of the Learner (3 credits)*
EDSE 533 Positive Approaches to Behavior Management (online option) (3 credits)
EDSE 534 Assessment, Evaluation and Instructional Planning (3 credits)*
EDSE 535 Collaborative Consultation and Transition Planning (online option) (3 credits)
EDSE 521 Language and Literacy for Special Populations (3 credits)
EDSE 519 General and Special Education Goals and Practices: Elementary (3 credits)
EDCI 589 Applied Research (3 credits)
INDT 531 Emerging and Assistive Technologies – online, (3 credits)
EDSE 552 M.Ed. Internship for Special Education Initial Licensure Five Year Pathway (9 credits)**

*Courses taken during the final undergraduate year.
**Students must pass Reading for Virginia Educators Test (RVE) and Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) prior to being accepted for EDSE 552

EXIT REQUIREMENTS

A student must:
1. Complete all course work and field experiences with at least a 3.0 (B) GPA;
2. Obtain passing scores on state-required assessments (Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment, Reading for Virginia Educators – General Curriculum only: Elementary and Special Education, Child Abuse and Recognition Module);
3. Perform at an acceptable level in EDCI 552, as indicated by: mentor teacher and university supervisor evaluations, successful completion of an electronic portfolio, and a final grade of B- or higher; and
4. Complete all teacher licensure requirements as verified through an exit interview with the faculty advisor or university supervisor

READMISSION

Students in the following categories must apply for readmission to the program:
1. Those who have not attended the University for three consecutive semesters; or
2. Those who were suspended from the program for failure to pass PRAXIS I.

Students who are readmitted are subject to the degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission. When a student is readmitted, the four-year limit from time of first admission is still in effect. Academic work that was completed more than four years before the date when the teacher licensure program is completed may not be acceptable in satisfying the licensure requirements. If a student needs additional time to complete the course work, the student must apply in writing to the department chair for an extension. Such requests must be received at least one month prior to the end of the student’s original four-year time limit.