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Master of Teaching
Teacher Education includes a structured program of coursework and practica that lead to initial licensure in Virginia. M.T. programs require one 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 earn credits needed for licensure in liberal arts preparation may also be required based on undergraduate course work.)
M.T. degree programs are available in the following areas of concentration: elementary education (PreK-6); special education (general curriculum K-12); health and physical education (K-12); foreign languages–French/German/Spanish/Latin/Chinese (K-12); and secondary education (6-12), with specialization in English, mathematics, science (biology, chemistry, earth and space science, physics), or social studies. Add-on endorsements can also be earned in English as a Second Language, Algebra I, and Gifted Education. Details about requirements for the degree and licensure can be found on the Teacher Education website.
Total number of credits required
All M.T. programs require a minimum of 30 academic credits of coursework at the 5000 level or higher.
The Curry School of Education requires a grade of a “B-” or higher in all courses leading to a master’s degree. All Curry required classes at the 5000 level and above fall under this rule. Any courses in which a student receives a grade below a “B-” must be retaken, or, with the consent of the course instructor and the student’s advisor, a planned and petitioned substitution must be made. Students who earn below a B- in a 5000-level Curry required class or receive an unsatisfactory in a field placement course are placed on a Program Improvement Plan (PIP) for the remainder of the program, a status that will be considered in the overall ability of a student to remain in the Curry MT program and other applications (e.g. requests for distance placements, scholarships, etc.). All required courses specified in the program guide including those intended to meet either general or content studies requirements must be graded (as opposed to pass/fail).
Core coursework (30 credits)
- EDIS 388X: Field Experience (1 credit; students take two semesters)
- EDIS 488X: Field Experience (1 credit; students take two semesters)
- EDIS 5000: Exceptional Learner (3 credits)
- EDIS 5070: Designing Technologies for Teaching (1 credit)
- EDIS 587X: Seminar: Teaching Associateship (3 credits)
- EDIS 588X: Teaching Internship (12 credits)
- EDIS 7100: Contemporary Educational Issues (3 credits)
- EDIS 7991: Field Project (3 credits)
- EDLF 5010/5011: Childhood/Adolescent Learning and Development (3 credits)
Areas of Concentration
Elementary Education (preK-6)
Candidates in the ELED program work towards licensure with an Elementary Education PK-6 endorsement. Many candidates for the Elementary Ed endorsement also choose to pursue a second endorsement in special education, ESOL, Algebra I, or gifted education.
Specialization Coursework – Elementary Education:
- EDIS 5010: Curriculum and Instruction for Elementary and Special Education
- EDIS 5011: Classroom Management and Behavioral Assessment
- EDIS 5221: Reading Development
- EDIS 5300: Language Arts Methods
- EDIS 5320: Mathematics in the Elementary School
- EDIS 5340: Social Studies in the Elementary School
- EDIS 5310: Differentiating Reading Instruction
- EDIS 5330: Science in the Elementary School
Foreign Language Education (K-12)
Candidates seeking to teach Chinese, French, Spanish, German or Latin apply to this program, leading to licensure and endorsement in Foreign Language preK-12.
Specialization Coursework – Foreign Language Education:
- EDIS 5020: Instruction and Assessment
- EDIS 5030: Curriculum and Management
- EDIS 5210: Intro to Language Development
- EDIS 5480: Second Language Acquisition and Modern Language Teaching Methods
- EDIS 5490: Planning and Assessment for Language Instruction
- EDIS 5710: Content Area Reading
Health and Physical Education (Kinesiology)
Health and Physical Education requiring a strong background in Kinesiology, this program is ideal for candidates seeking licensure and endorsement in Health & Physical Education preK-12.
Specialization Coursework – Health and Physical Education:
- KINE 5100: Assessment in Kinesiology
- KINE 5110: Elementary Pedagogy
- KINE 5120: Secondary Pedagogy
- KINE 5240: Kinesiology Developmental Disabilities
Secondary Education
Secondary Education programs include english education, mathematics education, science education, and social studies education. Program completers are prepared to work with students in grades 6-12. Like elementary majors, secondary majors frequently add endorsements (e.g., ESOL or Gifted) to strengthen their credentials.
English Education
English Education enables students to build on their undergraduate English studies as they prepare to teach reading comprehension, grammar, literature, and writing skills in grades 6-12.
Specialization Coursework – English Education:
- EDIS 5020: Instruction and Assessment
- EDIS 5030: Curriculum and Management
- EDIS 5400: Teaching English in Secondary Schools I
- EDIS 5401: Teaching English in Secondary Schools II
- EDIS 5710: Content Area Reading
Mathematics Education
Mathematics Education prepares prospective teachers of mathematics in grades 6-12 by building on students’ undergraduate mathematics studies.
Specialization Coursework – Math Education:
- EDIS 5020: Instruction and Assessment
- EDIS 5030: Curriculum and Management
- EDIS 5450: Teaching Mathematics in Secondary Schools I
- EDIS 5451: Teaching Mathematics in Secondary Schools II
- EDIS 5710: Content Area Reading
Science Education
Science Education provides preparation in science and science teaching methods for grades 6-12 in one of four endorsement areas of biology, chemistry, earth & space science, or physics.
Specialization Coursework – Science Education:
- EDIS 5020: Instruction and Assessment
- EDIS 5030: Curriculum and Management
- EDIS 5050: Teaching Science in Secondary Schools I
- EDIS 5051: Teaching Science in Secondary Schools II
- EDIS 5710: Content Area Reading
Social Studies Education
Social Studies Education prepares prospective teachers to work with students in middle and high school settings in grades 6-12 with a History and Social Sciences endorsement.
Specialization Coursework – Social Studies Education:
- EDIS 5020: Instruction and Assessment
- EDIS 5030: Curriculum and Management
- EDIS 5600: Teaching Social Studies in Secondary Schools I
- EDIS 5601: Teaching Social Studies in Secondary Schools II
- EDIS 5710: Content Area Reading
Special Education
Special Education prepares candidates to serve students with mild to moderate disabilities in a variety of settings such as inclusion classrooms, modified resource rooms, and self-contained programs. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, evidence-based instructional practices, instructional accommodations, behavior management, and assessment strategies. Many candidates for the Special Ed-General Curriculum (K-12) endorsement also choose to pursue a second endorsement in elementary education, ESOL, or a secondary field.
Specialization Coursework – Special Education:
- EDIS 5010: Curriculum and Instruction for Elementary and Special Education
- EDIS 5040: Psychoeducational Assessment
- EDIS 5041: Behavior & Classroom Management
- EDIS 5060: Math Instruction for Special and Elementary Education
- EDIS 5100: Characteristics of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
- EDIS 5110: Characteristics of Learning Disabilities
- EDIS 5120: Characteristics of Intellectual Disabilities
- EDIS 5140: Methods of Instruction & Collaboration in Special Education
- EDIS 5141: IEP and Transition Planning
- EDIS 5221: Reading Development
- EDIS 5230: Reading Diagnosis & Remediation for Reading Instruction
Program Requirements
Details about requirements for the degree and licensure can be found on the Teacher Education website.
- Students must pass the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA).
- Students pursuing an endorsement in Elementary and/or Special Education must pass the Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) exam.
- Students must pass a Praxis Specialty Test in the area for which they are seeking endorsement(s).
- Students must meet state-specific standards for training in First Aid/CPR/AED, Child Abuse & Neglect Recognition and Reporting, Instructional Technology, and Dyslexia Awareness.
- Students pursing an endorsement in Elementary and/or History or Social Science Education must complete the online Virginia State and Local Civic Education module provided by the Virginia Department of Education.
