Education

Department of Education

Patricia Stohr-Hunt, Chair
Associate Professor Brown
Assistant Professor Stohr-Hunt
Director of Field Placement Moore
Director of Curriculum Materials Center (CMC) Joyce

State-Approved Teacher Licensure Programs at the University of Richmond

The Teacher Preparation Program at the University of Richmond prepares teachers for licensure in Elementary Education (preK-6), Secondary Education (6-12) or Comprehensive Education (preK-12). The University of Richmond was first granted an Approved Teacher Education Program by the Virginia State Board of Education in 1972. Since that time, the University's Department of Education has maintained approved program status and, as such, participates in reciprocity of licensure with states that have interstate agreements with Virginia. Currently Virginia has licensure reciprocity with 48 states, territories and the District of Columbia.

In order for programs to remain current with licensure regulations as mandated by the Virginia State Department of Education, the requirements as stated may be subject to change. Please check with the department for the most recent version of licensure and program requirements.

Title II Results

In October 1998, the U.S. Congress enacted amendments to the Higher Education Act (HEA). As amended, Title II of the HEA addressed the issue of the quality of teacher preparation by doing two things:

It authorized new federal grant programs to support states, institutions of higher education, and their school district partners, in improving the recruitment, preparation, and support of new teachers.

Title II also included new accountability measures: reporting requirements for institutions and states on teacher preparation and licensing.

• Program completer pass rates

• Basic features of the teacher preparation program

• Whether the teacher preparation program has been classified as "low performing"

• Supplemental information the institution believes is important to providing necessary context

We at the University of Richmond are very proud of the accomplishments of our teacher education graduates, and hope that you find this information useful. For the most current data regarding the pass rates of students in our programs, visit our Web site at: education.richmond.edu.

Undergraduate teacher education at the University of Richmond is a campus-wide responsibility, designed to ensure that all of our students are knowledgeable professionals who possess both a theoretical and practical knowledge base. Students acquire a broad undergraduate background of essential intellectual skills through the liberal arts and sciences based on the University's general education requirements, upon which students then build concentrated study in their major field of study.

The mission of the Teacher Preparation Program at the University of Richmond is to improve the understanding and practice of teaching and learning in preK-12 environments through reflective thought. Graduates are prepared to apply deep and broad content knowledge through multiple pedagogies in diverse settings while demonstrating a commitment to professionalism.

Goal 1

Develop candidates who are knowledgeable about learners and are able to employ instructional strategies that meet the needs of all students, including students with disabilities, gifted students, students with limited proficiency in English, and students with diverse cultural needs.

Goal 2

Develop candidates who have a rich understanding of the subject(s) they teach and appreciate how knowledge in their subject is created, organized, linked to other disciplines, and applied to real-world settings.

Goal 3

Develop candidates who are able to employ best practices in the planning, delivery, and assessment of instruction so that they may transform content for teaching purposes in ways that make it accessible and meaningful to students.

Goal 4

Develop candidates who have the knowledge and skills to bring the highest levels of professionalism to their practice as instructional leaders and have the disposition to reflect upon and change that practice as necessary.

Education Minor

Students seeking teacher licensure in the state of Virginia cannot major in education. They must major in another liberal arts area and complete the teacher preparation program. Education is not, therefore, an academic major at the University of Richmond. Students who complete the requirements of the Teacher Preparation Program prior to degree conferral will receive a minor in education.

Students interested in becoming teachers should contact the Department of Education to meet with an education faculty member to discuss program requirements. All students seeking to enroll in the Teacher Preparation Program must formally apply for admission and submit

• A completed application form
• A Statement of Intent
• Official scores on ONE of the following tests: 1) Praxis I - minimum scores of 178 for reading, 176 for writing and 178 for mathematics; 2) SAT - minimum score of 1100, with a minimum score of 530 on verbal and minimum score of 530 on math; 3) ACT - minimum composite score of 24, with a minimum of 22 on math and a minimum combined score of 46 on English and reading
• Evidence of a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.70

Academic Requirements

All formally accepted students must maintain a grade point average of 3.00 in education and a cumulative grade point average of 2.70 to remain in the program and be eligible for student teaching. No more than one grade of C is allowed in education coursework. Therefore, students who earn more than one grade of C in education courses must repeat those courses and earn higher grades or they will not be permitted to remain in the program.

Teacher Preparation Program Chronology

With careful planning, most students can complete all degree requirements and the Teacher Preparation Program in four years. In some cases, students may choose to return for the student teaching semester after graduation. Students who do this should note that while they will be recommended for licensure upon completion of the program, they cannot earn a minor if the full program is not completed BEFORE graduation.

Year One

Students interested in becoming licensed to teach should contact the Department of Education during their first year at the University and arrange to meet with a faculty advisor. Students may begin courses in the education sequence. If necessary, students should arrange to take the Praxis I exam before the end of their first year.

Year Two

Students must submit a formal application to the program and return the completed forms to the Department of Education no later than October 15 of the fall semester or March 15 of the spring semester. Students declare education as a minor only after they have been officially accepted into the program. Students continue with courses in the education sequence appropriate to the minor they have declared.

Year Three

Students continue with courses in the education sequence appropriate to the minor they have declared. During the spring semester of this year, students apply for the student teaching experience that will occur during the fall semester of the fourth year. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.70, and a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in education, to be eligible for student teaching.

Year Four

Students complete the semester-long student teaching experience and accompanying seminar. Students must take and submit passing scores on all required exams for their licensure area. Students should consult their faculty advisor in the Department of Education for information about this requirement. Students must also complete a Career Development Center placement file and licensure application forms. (The Department of Education will forward applications and recommendations for licensure only for those students who complete the student teaching experience through the University of Richmond.)

Licensure for Teachers

Licensure application forms may be obtained from, and when complete should be returned to, the Department of Education at the University of Richmond. With the licensure application, students also must submit (1) official transcripts of all college work including transfer credit, (2) passing scores on all required licensure exams, and (3) a money order or cashier's check made payable to the State Department of Education to cover the application fee. Upon satisfactory completion of degree requirements and the University's Approved Teacher Education Program, and upon receipt of the required licensure materials, the Virginia State Department of Education will issue a Collegiate Professional License that is valid for five years and renewable with additional professional and/or college credit.

All students seeking licensure engage in a series of professional courses and field experience that serve as the foundation of the programs. These include:

• Professional Courses: Foundations of Education, Diverse Learners and Environments, Introduction to Instructional Technology and Classroom, and Classroom and Behavior Management
• Field Experience: Integrated course-related practica and observation experiences
• Program-Specific Courses: Courses vary depending on the level and area of endorsement
• Student Teaching: Fifteen weeks of full-time experience in local school divisions, Student Teaching Seminar

Elementary Education (preK-6)

Students seeking elementary licensure MUST complete the requirements for ANY liberal arts major. Students majoring only in business or leadership studies are NOT eligible for a teaching license in Virginia. Elementary education sequence:

EDUC 205 Foundations of Education

EDUC 207 Diverse Learners and Environments

EDUC 250 Introduction to Instructional Technology

EDUC 306 Integrated Curriculum Methods

EDUC 310 Emergent Literacy

EDUC 311 Instructional Level Literacy

EDUC 327 Foundations of Math Instruction

EDUC 365 Elementary Reading Practicum

EDUC 366 Elementary Math Practicum

EDUC 375 Classroom and Behavior Management

EDUC 475 Student Teaching, Elementary Education (preK-6)

EDUC 485 Student Teaching Seminar

Secondary (6-12) Education

Students seeking secondary licensure MUST complete the requirements for a liberal arts major in one of the following areas: biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics, or physics. For some endorsement areas, additional methods and/or subject-specific courses are required for licensure. Secondary education sequence:

EDUC 205 Foundations of Education

EDUC 207 Diverse Learners and Environments

EDUC 250 Introduction to Instructional Technology

EDUC 342 Secondary Curriculum Methods

EDUC 352 Content Area Literacy

EDUC 367 Middle School Practicum

EDUC 368 Secondary School Practicum

EDUC 375 Classroom and Behavior Management

EDUC 477 Student Teaching, Secondary (6-12)

EDUC 485 Student Teaching Seminar

Comprehensive (preK-12) Education

Students seeking comprehensive licensure MUST complete the requirements for a liberal arts major in one of the following areas: French, German, Latin, Latin American and Iberian studies, or studio art. For some endorsement areas, additional methods and/or subject-specific courses are required for licensure. Comprehensive education sequence:

EDUC 205 Foundations of Education

EDUC 207 Diverse Learners and Environments

EDUC 250 Introduction to Instructional Technology

EDUC 342 Secondary Curriculum Methods

EDUC 352 Content Area Literacy

EDUC 367 Middle School Practicum

EDUC 368 Secondary School Practicum

EDUC 375 Classroom and Behavior Management

EDUC 478 Student Teaching, Comprehensive (preK-12)

EDUC 485 Student Teaching Seminar

Subject Area Endorsements

For all endorsement areas, students seeking a particular endorsement must meet the requirements of that major. The state of Virginia has specified competencies and courses for the endorsements listed below.

Students seeking the English endorsement must meet the requirements of the English major. Combined majors in English do NOT meet the standard for this endorsement. Additionally, the following courses and/or experiences are required:

• ENGL 304 Shakespeare
• ENGL 381 Modern Grammar
• Completion of one of the following: 1) teaching of writing tutorials; or 2) ENGL 383 Introduction to Composition Theory and Pedagogy

Foreign Language Endorsements

Students seeking a language endorsement must meet the requirements of the major in French, German Studies, Latin, or Latin American and Iberian Studies. Additionally, the following courses and/or experiences are required:

• MLC 410 The Teaching of a Modern Second Language

• LATN 411 The Teaching of High School Latin

Additional Foreign Language Endorsements

Students completing the requirements for an endorsement in French, German, or Spanish may add an endorsement in another language by submitting passing scores on the Praxis II subject assessment in that language.

Students seeking the history and social science endorsement must meet the requirements of the history major. Additionally, the following courses and/or experiences are required:

• PLSC 220 Introduction to American Government
• One course in Economics (ECON)
• Completion of one of the following: 1) teaching of geography tutorials; or 2) one course in geography

Mathematics Endorsement

Students seeking the mathematics endorsement must meet the requirements for either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics.

Visual Arts Endorsement (preK-12)

Students seeking the visual arts endorsement must meet the requirements of the studio art major.

Students who meet the endorsement requirements for ANY teaching area may apply for an add-on endorsement if they meet the requirements for a minor that is compatible with one of the following licensure (endorsement) areas:

Computer Science

Dance (preK-12)

Journalism

Mathematics - Algebra I

Speech Communication

Theatre Arts (preK-12)

Biology

Students seeking the biology endorsement must meet the requirements of the biology major. The biochemistry major does NOT meet the standard for this endorsement.

Chemistry

Students seeking the chemistry endorsement must meet the requirements of the chemistry major.

Physics

Students seeking the physics endorsement must meet the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in physics. In addition, we highly recommend PHYS 215 Computational Methods in Physics as part of the major.

Additional Science Endorsements

Students completing the requirements for an endorsement in biology, chemistry, or physics may add an endorsement in another science by submitting passing scores on the Praxis II subject assessment in that subject.

EDUC 205 Foundations of Education

EDUC 207 Diverse Learners and Environments

EDUC 250 Introduction to Instructional Technology

EDUC 306 Integrated Curriculum Methods

EDUC 310 Emergent Literacy

EDUC 311 Instructional Level Literacy

EDUC 312-313-314 Independent Study in Education

EDUC 327 Foundations of Math Instruction

EDUC 342 Secondary Curriculum Methods

EDUC 352 Content Area Literacy

EDUC 365 Elementary Reading Practicum

EDUC 366 Elementary Mathematics Practicum

EDUC 367 Middle School Practicum

EDUC 368 Secondary School Practicum

EDUC 375 Classroom and Behavior Management

EDUC 451 Survey of Children's Literature

EDUC 475 Student Teaching, Elementary Education (preK-6)

EDUC 477 Student Teaching, Secondary Education (6-12)

EDUC 478 Student Teaching, Comprehensive Endorsement (preK-12)

EDUC 485 Student Teaching Seminar

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