Licensure Areas: Elementary Education PK-6, English as a Second Language, Gifted Education, Special Education General Curriculum K-12, Special Education Add-ons (MEd)

Overview
The Master of Education (MEd) is a professional degree designed for those who seek advanced study in education and related fields. The program is intended for teachers who are already licensed or individuals who are pursuing careers that do not require teacher licensure. 

The degree and following areas of emphasis consist of a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours, focused on a common set of 15-16 hours of core coursework, and followed by an area of emphasis of the student's choice.

Areas of emphasis leading to licensure in which students must hold an active VA license: 

  • Elementary Education PK-6 
  • Special Education General Curriculum K-12 
  • Special Education General Curriculum Add-on K-6, 6-8, or 6-12 

Areas of emphasis that can be completed with or without seeking licensure:

  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • Gifted Education 

Plus completion of at least one of the following areas of emphasis:

Elementary Education

Additional co-requisites apply and are determined following a detailed transcript analysis. 

Students are required to meet CAEP Initial licensure requirements for the Elementary Education PK-6 endorsement. Students must meet the Teacher Education Program - Initial Levels of Program Progression for ED 607 and ED 609/611. 

Note: Additional requirements include verification that the following courses were completed during initial licensure (if missing they will need to be taken): Characteristics of Exceptionality, Lifespan Human Development, Assessment Of and For Learning, Foundations of Education. May be substituted for the Required Core courses IN 627 and IN 629. 

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
29

Special Education General Curriculum K-12

This is for any student seeking the full Special Education General Curriculum K-12 as an additional endorsement to any active Virginia teaching license, except CTE. 

Students are required to meet CAEP Initial licensure requirements for the Special Education K-12 endorsement. Students must meet the Teacher Education Program - Initial Levels of Program Progression for ED 624 and ED 614/611. 

Note: Additional requirements include verification that the following courses were completed during initial licensure (if missing they will need to be taken): Characteristics of Exceptionality, Classroom Behavior and Management, Lifespan Human Development, Assessment Of and For Learning, Foundations of Education, Language Acquisition and Literacy, Content Area Reading. May be substituted for the Required Core courses IN 627 and IN 629.

Additional requirements under this emphasis area:

  • Proof of English Composition/Writing
  • Professional Ethics Exam
  • Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary
Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
29

Special Education General Curriculum K-6 Add-on (for students with an existing Elementary Ed license)

Required:

  • Proof of English Composition/Writing
  • Must possess or be concurrently pursuing a Virginia Elementary Education PK-6 license
  • Professional Ethics Exam Module
Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
16

Special Education General Curriculum 6-8 Add-on (for students with an existing Middle School license)

Required:

  • Proof of English Composition/Writing 
  • Must possess or be concurrently pursuing a Virginia Middle Education Core Content 6-8 license
  • Must pass Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary
  • Professional Ethics Exam Module
Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
16

Special Education General Curriculum 6-12 Add-on (for students with an existing Secondary Ed license)

Required:

  • Proof of English Composition/Writing 
  • Must possess or be concurrently pursuing a Virginia Secondary Education Core Content 6-12 license
  • Must pass Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary
  • Professional Ethics Exam Module
Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
16

Notes for Special Education Add-on Endorsements (K-6, 6-8, 6-12)

Note: ED 691, ED 692, and ED 693 Applied Practicum hours must be done in the context of a one-semester placement and must reflect 45 hours of direct instruction. Examples of non-instructional hours include planning, observation, educational meetings, professional development, etc. In order to be eligible to complete the field experience (ED 691, 692, or 693), one must have completed, or be concurrently enrolled in, all remaining endorsement courses. 

English as a Second Language (PK-12)

Required: 6 s.h. modern, spoken foreign language through the intermediate level before finishing the program. 

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
19

Gifted Education

In addition to the courses listed below, the Gifted Education emphasis requires one graduate elective:

  • Graduate Elective (3 s.h.)

Also required: Proof of English Composition/Writing

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
16

Overview

Department

Type

MEd