Master of Teaching

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The Master of Teaching (M.T.) degree is for individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree and wish to qualify for a teaching license. The M.T. programs require one-and- a-half to two years of full-time study, including academic course work in the specialization field and teacher education experiences leading to initial endorsement in one or more specialties. (Opportunities for applicants to correct deficiencies in liberal arts preparation may also be required based on undergraduate course work.) Contact the Office of Teacher Education for additional information.

M.T. degree programs are available in elementary education (PreK-6); special education (behavioral disorders/learning disabilities/mental retardation, K-12) early childhood/developmental risk (ages 0-5 special education and 3-8 elementary education); health and physical education (K-12); foreign languages (French/German/Spanish/Latin, k-12); and secondary education (6-12), with specialization in English, mathematics, science (biology, chemistry, earth and space science, general science, physics), or social studies.

Graduate Degree Programs Leading to an Initial Teaching License

Students who possess a baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent in a liberal arts or physical education discipline) may pursue a Master of Teaching (M.T.) degree, which will also qualify them for a teacher license in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

State Assessments of Teacher Education

Under the Commonwealth of Virginia’s approved program status for schools of education, all students enrolled in a teacher education program at the University of

Virginia must take the appropriate licensing exams required by the Commonwealth of Virginia for the specific program area endorsement. The scores on these exams and other evidence presented to the U.S. Secretary of Education, in accordance with Section 207 of the Higher Education Act (HEA) regarding the preparation of graduates who intend to work in the nation’s schools, demonstrates the high caliber of the students at the University of Virginia. During the 2005-2006 academic year, 552 students were enrolled in the Curry School’s Teacher Education Program and 173 students participated in the Teaching Associate (student teaching) semester involving 560 hours of student teaching. A total of 31 full or part-time faculty/doctoral students participated in supervision activities resulting in a supervising student/faculty ratio of 1:4.3.

The following report of Praxis exam pass rates is a mandated condition of the HEA and reflects the scores of those University of Virginia’s teacher education program completers who took the exams from September 2004-August 2005 (state-wide pass rates are shown in parentheses). Praxis I pass rate for PPST Reading was 100% (90%) and CBT Reading was 0% (0%). The PPST Writing pass rate was 94% (82%) and the CBT Writing was 0% (0%). The PPST Mathematics pass rate was 95% (85%) and the CTB Mathematics was 0% (0%).

Admission Requirements (See also Master of Education Admission Requirements.) Post-graduate Master of Teaching applicants seeking teacher licensure must have a B.A. or B.S. degree with the equivalent of an academic major in the arts and sciences (or an appropriate discipline) and an acceptable general studies component. Applicants must have passed Praxis I prior to submitting the application. High SAT scores or ACT scores may exemp you from this entrance requirement. Please see the Teacher Education webpages and application for more detail.The general studies component should be a well-planned sequence of courses and experiences that includes theoretical and practical knowledge gained from studies in mathematics, natural science, social science, U.S./American history, English, communication, literature, and other humanities. The following are examples of acceptable courses within the specified areas. Science: natural science, astronomy, biology, chemistry, environmental science, and physics. Social science: anthropology, economics, government and foreign affairs, linguistics, psychology, sociology, and Western civilization. A course in some area of non-Western studies is also desirable). Humanities: English, literature, speech communications, public speaking, debate, drama, art, music, philosophy, religious studies, foreign literature in translation, and foreign language.

Program Requirements

The following requirements for completing a Master of Teaching degree must be met:

An approved program of study leading to licensure and endorsement. Information on specific program course sequences can be obtained from the Office of Teacher Education (http://http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/TeacherEd).
Teaching Associateship (student teaching practicum) in which they demonstrate an ability to integrate the theoretical concepts of education with academic material in a practical teaching experience. This associateship is equivalent to an entire semester’s course work (EDIS 588: 12 credits).
Field Project/Comprehensive Examination approved by the program area advisor. In special cases, a master’s comprehensive examination may be required.
Satisfactory Academic Performance in courses required for the B.A. degree or teaching speciality. Courses taken at or below the 400 level may be successfully completed with a passing grade of D- or better. Courses in the major must reflect a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better. Courses taken at the 500 level or above require a minimum grade of B- or better; 500-level courses in which a student has performed below the level of B- must be retaken, or a substitute professional course must be taken to replace the deficiency. Course substitution or retaking a course must be approved by the advisor and the Office of Teacher Education. Program deficiencies may require that the student be suspended from the program.
Passing scores on Praxis Examinations are required for initial licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia and for graduation.
An Application for the Degree must be submitted by October 1 for January graduation, by February 1 for May graduation, and by June 1 for August graduation.
Passing scores on the Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) required for students in the Elementary Education, Special Education, and Early Childhood/Developmental Risk programs.
All applicants for licensure must complete the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA).

Transfer Credit

A maximum of six transfer credits may be counted toward the M.T. degree. All such credit must be approved by the advisor and the director of teacher education.

All Teacher Education policies can be found in the Student Advising Handbook at: http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/teachered/pgmt.html

Time Limit

No requirements completed more than five years before the M.T. is to be awarded may be credited toward this degree. In special cases, an extension may be granted for emergency circumstances when approved by the advisor, the director of teacher education, and the dean’s office.