Professional Development (Non-Degree)

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General Professional Development

Professional Development status is designed for those who hold at least a baccalaureate degree and wish to improve their professional skills by enrolling in individual courses. Professional development students may be assigned an advisor from an appropriate department or program area. In some cases, enrollments in specific courses requires the approval of both the instructor and the advisor. Professional development students are subject to the Graduate Academic Regulations of the Curry School of Education.

Any professional development student who wishes to apply for a degree program must submit a Change of Status Form, required test scores, at least two letters of recommendation, a complete transcript, and a current statement of professional goals. Students in the professional development category may earn up to 12 graduate credits for application toward degree. Such credit must be approved by the student’s advisor. All other University of Virginia course work which is applied to a degree must be earned after admission to a degree program. Students planning to change their status to a degree program are responsible for knowing the requirements for admission to, and completion of, that degree. These policies also apply to off-Grounds degree programs offered through the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

Professional Development leading to Licensure or Endorsement

Applicants interested in non-degree licensure programs in Elementary Education (Roanoke Center) or Special Education (Northern Virginia Center) must submit passing Praxis I scores or acceptable SAT or ACT scores or other application materials. Students accepted into the Elementary and Special Education Licensure programs must earn grades of B- or better to remain enrolled. Curry will process students’ licensure applications, if submitted within two years after completion of coursework. Students missing the deadline will assume responsibility for obtaining licensure from the state.

Applicants interested in a non-degree program resulting in endorsement in Administration and Supervision (Curry and SCPS Centers) must submit a variety of documents including the “Candidate’s Potential as Administrator” form.

For more information, go to the home page of Curry, click on “Apply to Curry,” then click on “General Studies.”