All students who matriculate at Mary Baldwin University agree to abide by the rules, regulations, and standards set by the college. The School of Education offers the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Education (MEd), or Master of Science (MS) to those who meet the established standards.
Students who seek the MAT, MEd, or MS must be conditionally or fully admitted to the graduate program to be eligible for financial aid services. The Declarations section of this catalog states Mary Baldwin’s policies on nondiscrimination, student privacy rights, and other important provisions.
Admission Requirements for the MAT (including BA/MAT) and the MEd in Elementary Education PK-6 and Special Education General Curriculum K-12
The School of Education, in compliance with our accrediting agency, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), has adopted a Levels of Teacher Education Program Progression for Initial Licensure Programs. Applicants to the MAT program (including BA/MAT) and MEd in Elementary Education PK-6 and Special Education General Curriculum K-12 endorsements must meet additional requirements as they progress through varying levels of the program. This process is outlined below.
Teacher Education Program – Initial Licensure Levels of Progression
Admission to the Teacher Education Program
Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT, including BA/MAT) and Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education PK-6 or Special Education General Curriculum K-12 requires the following:
Academic Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (MAT & MEd)
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 on the most recent transcript
BA/MAT Students
- Students must have a final undergraduate GPA of 3.0 at degree conferral to advance to the graduate program.
- Students who completed the Elementary Education or Special Education undergraduate major at MBU will apply for BA/MEd or MEd.
Application Process
- BA/MAT applicants apply through MyMBU
- MAT and MEd applicants apply through University Admissions
English Language Proficiency
All applicants must demonstrate fluent, accurate written and spoken English. Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency by submitting one of the following scores:
- Duolingo English Test: minimum score of 130
- IELTS: minimum score of 7.0
- TOEFL iBT: minimum score of 98
Level One Candidate – Experiential Learning Through Field Placement/Practica
A Level 1 student has been admitted to the program and is eligible to enroll in initial practicum courses (ED 112, 324, 510–514). Students will need to submit a Practicum and Methods Request Form for registration. Undergraduate (BA/MAT) students must complete both ED 112 and 324. Graduate students must take at least one practicum before progressing to Level 2 Instructional Strategies/Methods courses. Students complete self-reflection activities at the conclusion of their placements.
Level Two Candidate – Eligibility for Instructional Strategies/Methods
A Level 2 student is eligible to begin Instructional Strategies/Methods courses (ED 312, 315, 345, 607, 624, 649) after meeting the following requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Submission of the Practicum & Methods Request Form
- Completion of required training modules:
- Child Abuse & Neglect Recognition
- Civics Education (if applicable)
- Cultural Competency
- Dyslexia Awareness
- Special Education modules
- Regulations Governing the Use of Restraint and Seclusion
Self-reflection activities are completed at the end of Instructional Strategies/Methods coursework.
Level Three Candidate - Student Teaching
A Level 3 student is eligible to begin student teaching and seminar upon meeting the following requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (maintained)
- Submission of the Student Teaching Request Form
- Completion of all prerequisite courses (courses in progress are acceptable)
- Grade of B- or higher in Instructional Strategies/Methods
- Acceptable rating on the PQDT evaluation from the Instructional Strategies instructor
- Attempted and received scores for required licensure exams (must be passed by Level 4):
- Praxis II (if applicable)
- Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) or Teaching Reading: Elementary (if applicable)
Level Four – Program Completer & Licensure Application
To advance to Level 4 and be eligible for licensure and employment, candidates must:
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Successfully complete Student Teaching, Seminar, and the Student Impact Project
- Receive an acceptable PQDT score from the University Supervisor
- Pass required exams (Praxis II, RVE or Teaching Reading: Elementary, if applicable)
- Complete First Aid, AED, and hands-on CPR certification
- Submit to the Licensure Coordinator:
- Licensure application
- Official transcripts
- Certified check or money order
A Level 4 Program Completer has fulfilled all requirements and submitted their licensure materials to the Virginia Department of Education. They are licensed and employed in their endorsement area.
Periodic reappraisal of teacher candidates will be made as the student progresses through the Teacher Education Program.
If an MAT student does not meet the candidate requirements for Methods/Instructional Strategies or Student Teaching—or is unable to complete Student Teaching for other reasons—they may request a program change to the Master of Education in Educational Foundations. Such requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please note that this is a transition from a licensure-based education track to a non-licensure option with the Education department.
This alternative degree path allows the student to apply completed MAT coursework, replacing Student Teaching, Seminar, and Reflective Synthesis with:
- IN 630: Methods of Professional Inquiry
- ED 632: Inquiry Research Project I
Graduation criteria under the MEd does not include licensure requirements.
Students should consult their academic advisor or the Teacher Education Program for guidance regarding this option.
Admission Requirements: MEd (including BA/MEd) and MS (including BA/MS)
Applicants to the MEd and MS programs—including BA/MEd and BA/MS pathways—must meet the following criteria. Additional requirements may apply based on program and concentration to comply with CAEP accreditation. See the Advanced Licensure Requirements section for details.
For MEd or MS Applicants:
- Submit an online application via the Office of Admissions
- Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
For BA/MEd or BA/MS Applicants:
- Submit an internal application through MyMBU
- Students must have a final undergraduate GPA of 3.0 at degree conferral to advance to the graduate program.
All Applicants Must:
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on the most recent degree-conferring transcript
- Demonstrate fluent written and spoken English
- Non-native speakers must submit one of the following test scores:
- Duolingo: 130
- IELTS: 7.0
- TOEFL: 98
- Non-native speakers must submit one of the following test scores:
Conditional Admission:
Applicants who do not meet these requirements may be considered for conditional admission, depending on program eligibility. Conditionally admitted students should work closely with an advisor to address any academic deficiencies. See Conditional Admission for more information.
Additional Requirements for MEd (including BA/MEd) Advanced Licensure Programs
Students pursuing licensure through our Master of Education Advanced Programs—including English as a Second Language, Gifted Education, Reading Education, and Special Education (K–6, 6–8, or 6–12 Add-on endorsements)—are required to meet additional criteria as they move through specified levels of the program.
To ensure alignment with professional standards, the School of Education has implemented an Advanced Levels of Teacher Education Program Progression, in accordance with the expectations of our accrediting body, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This process is outlined below.
Teacher Education Program – Advanced Licensure Progression
Program Admission
Applicants must meet all stated admission requirements for the MEd or BA/MEd Teacher Education Program.
Level One Candidate – Experiential Learning Through Field Placement/Practica
A Level 1 student has been admitted to the program in English as a Second Language, Gifted Education, Reading Specialist, or Special Education (K–6, 6–8, or 6–12 add-on endorsements).
Level Two Candidate – Eligibility for Instructional Strategies/Methods
A Level 2 student is eligible to enroll in Instructional Strategies/Methods courses (ED 624, 649, 672) after meeting the following requirements:
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA
- Submit the Practicum & Methods Request Form
- Complete required Special Education Modules (if not already on file with VDOE)
Level Three Candidate - Comprehensive Practicum or Field Experience
A Level 3 student is eligible to enroll in the practicum or field experience courses (ED 608, 615, 675) after meeting the following requirements::
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA
- Complete all prerequisite courses (may be in progress)
- Earn a B- or higher in instructional methods courses (if applicable)
- Attempted and received scores for required licensure exams (must be passed by Level 4):
- Praxis II (if applicable)
- Receive a satisfactory PQDT evaluation
- Submit the Practicum Request Form for enrollment
Level Four – Program Completer: Apply for Licensure
Advancement to Level 4 indicates that a teacher candidate is ready to apply for licensure and pursue employment. To reach this stage, the following must be completed:
- Successful completion of field experience or comprehensive practicum
- Passing scores on Praxis II (if required) and Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary
Completion of the Professional Ethics Module - Submission of licensure application or college verification form request, official transcripts, and certified check or money order to the Licensure Coordinator
A Level 4 Program Completer is a licensed candidate whose application for additional endorsement has been submitted to the Virginia Department of Education or processed by their school division. This designation applies to students or alumni employed in their endorsement area.
The Teacher Education Program conducts periodic evaluations of candidates throughout their progression.
Periodic reappraisal of teacher candidates will be made as the student progresses through the Teacher Education Program.
Admission Decisions (MAT, MEd, MS)
Admissions decisions are made by the policies established through the Education Policy Committee. The Mary Baldwin University Admissions office informs applicants, in writing, of their admission status. At the time of admission, applicants are advised by the School of Education regarding any additional undergraduate course requirements that must be fulfilled as conditions of enrollment. Any individual may be denied admission or have admission retracted to the graduate Education program for the following reasons:
- Attempting to obtain admission by fraudulent means or through misrepresentation or omission of material facts (including failure to report all prior institutions attended)
- Falsification of records or documents
- Conviction of any felony
- Conviction of any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, or physical injury
- Failure to meet stated program admission requirements
Full Admission
Students who meet all admissions requirements are admitted to the graduate education program as fully admitted degree-seeking students.
Conditional Admission
Students who do not meet the full-admission criteria may be considered for conditional admission on the basis of strong evidence that they can succeed in a graduate program that requires maintenance of a 3.0 GPA. Conditionally admitted students must achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA in all graduate work and complete all other admissions requirements in order to be considered for full admission. In general, conditional admission status does not continue for more than three successive semesters.
Conditional admission is not available in all programs.
Moving from Conditional to Full Admission Status
The School of Education monitors the progress of conditionally admitted students at the end of each semester. Course grades, course instructors’ assessment of students’ writing and speaking skills, and professional qualities evaluations are considered in this review. The College of Education informs students and their academic advisors in writing regarding their status:
- continued conditional admission,
- admission to full degree-seeking status,
- suspension, or
- dismissal.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
Applicants who do not meet admission requirements but hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution are eligible to enroll in graduate education courses as non-degree seeking students. No financial aid services are provided. Teachers seeking recertification credits may enroll as non-degree seeking students. The following graduate courses are restricted - ED 607, 624, 649, 672 unless the student has a provisional license. Please follow up with your advisor.
Admission Requirements for the Graduate Comprehensive Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. (This requirement can be waived on a case-by-case basis for individuals without undergraduate degrees who are professionally serving individuals with autism and who demonstrate the capability to handle the curriculum.) Students may complete the certificate program as a non-degree seeking student or as a degree-seeking student in combination with an MAT, MEd, or MS degree. Please see the ABA & AS catalog section or contact the program director for more details.