VWU undergraduate teaching candidates pursuing elementary and special education majors will encounter three important gateways during their academic journey. Each gateway is specially designed to ensure all candidates are well-prepared, highly-qualified, and ready to enter the teaching profession upon program completion. If candidates successfully meet all Gateway requirements, they will be recommended for Virginia teaching licensure.
Gateway 1: Program Admission
By the end of their sophomore year, elementary and special education majors must apply and successfully complete all requirements for program admission. If students have not completed Gateway 1 requirements, they are not allowed to be placed in formal internships such as Practicum.
Undergraduate Initial Licensure Program admission requirements.
Program Admission Requirements |
Suggested Timeframe to Complete Requirements |
|---|---|
If interested in Education Studies, Elementary Education, or Special Education majors, please reach out to an education faculty member in your first year. |
A student thinking about becoming an elementary or special education teacher should declare their major as soon as possible. |
Achieve passing scores on English and Language Arts subtest (5002) of the Praxis Multiple Subjects exam (5001). |
Take and pass the subtest by the spring of Sophomore year at the latest. |
Achieving Acceptable ratings (2.5) on the VWU Dispositional Survey for Educators. |
Complete while enrolled in EDUC 266. |
Successfully complete the following courses with a grade of C or above. |
Complete by the End of the Sophomore Year. |
Achieve an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 at the time of application. |
Be aware of your overall GPA at all times and maintain at least a 2.8 GPA. |
Gateway 2: Recommendation for Student Teaching
Student teaching serves as the culminating internship experience for all teaching candidates. During this internship VWU teaching candidates will be responsible for preK-12 student learning. Thus, it is important that VWU faculty are confident that each candidate has the knowledge, skills, and appropriate dispositions to be successful in educating students in an authentic teaching context. Professional education courses and multiple field experiences help to prepare VWU teaching candidates for student teaching. Table 2 delineates the specific requirements needed for a teaching candidate to be recommended for student teaching. Again, these requirements are explicitly tied to coursework and candidates should keep track of all required materials.
Requirements needed for candidates to be recommended for student teaching.
Requirement |
Requirement Descriptions and/or Suggestions |
|---|---|
Maintain an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.8. |
Candidates should be aware of grades in all coursework and utilize VWU support services when needed. |
Achieve grades of C or better in ALL Professional Studies Education courses and a C- or better in all required coursework in the Teacher Education Program. |
Candidates should be aware of grades in all coursework and utilize VWU support services when needed. |
Earn a 2.8 average rating or higher on VWU Dispositional Survey for Educators. |
Candidates complete a self-evaluation of their dispositions in specific EDUC courses and their professors will discuss ratings with them. Candidates with any scores below “Acceptable” on this survey may not be recommended for practicum placement or student teaching placement. |
Submit Passing Scores on Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205). |
Candidates should submit passing scores while enrolled in EDUC 321, typically in the spring of the Junior Year. |
Submit passing scores on all sections of the Praxis Multiple Subjects Test (5001: View passing scores for subtests) |
Passing scores are due to the Education Department by October 15 if student teaching the following spring, or March 15 if student teaching in the following fall. |
Submit a negative TB test and a clear Background Clearance Check |
Candidates should submit documentation of a negative TB test prior to Practicum placement. This should be done the summer after the Junior Year. |
Submit a clear Background Clearance Check |
The Seminar Professor will provide candidates with proper forms and instructions for completing the Background Clearance Check. A clear Check is necessary to continue to practicum and pre-service teaching. |
Practicum Instructor Grants Consent for Student Teaching |
Candidates’ progress to the student teaching experience is contingent on a successful practicum experience. The practicum instructors will notify the Director of Teacher Education and the Seminar Professor of recommendations at the end of the practicum course. |
Gateway 3: Recommendation for Virginia Teaching Certification
Candidates taking part in the senior internship (student teaching) will complete an impact study, a teaching portfolio, and their teaching will be observed multiple times by multiple instructional experts. Candidates should also make sure to complete CPR and first aid certification required for licensure during this time. While all required VA licensure modules are assigned in professional education courses, candidates must submit certificates for each module prior to completing student teaching. Candidates who successfully complete their internship are considered well-prepared, highly qualified, and ready to enter the teaching profession. As such, upon successful review of all licensure test scores, module completion certificates, other program requirements, and elements within the student teaching experience, the VWU Director of Teacher Education will recommend teaching candidates for Virginia Teaching Certification in their particular endorsement area.