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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2018-2019

Secondary education

School of Education

Concentration(s):
English concentration
Program description

This is an advising map that will prepare you to apply to a Masters in Teaching (M.T.) program. Students complete an undergraduate major (i.e. English or double major in English), and utilize this map to prepare themselves for admission into both the Teacher Prep and M.T. program. Our Master of Teaching program prepares students for initial teaching licensure eligibility in Virginia.

 

The Master of Teaching degree can also be pursued as part of the RTR program, an innovative graduate teacher residency that pairs residents with an experienced mentor for our most challenged schools. Starting in 2019, RTR has expanded and now includes the high-needs and hard-to-staff schools in the metro-Richmond school districts of Richmond, Petersburg, Chesterfield and Henrico. If this interests you, please send your unofficial transcripts directly to the program at teachRTR@vcu.edu.

Career opportunities

The Virginia Department of Education has identified secondary English as a critical need shortage area. There is a United States need for passionate, committed, and capable educators who want to inspire the next generation of citizens. There are opportunities to engage with districts in required in-classroom experiences throughout your undergraduate and graduate program as you prepare for your future teaching career. Many teachers choose to take on additional subject content areas or curriculum tasks to help continually improve the classroom learning environment for future learners. Teaching is a profession that allows students to combine their passion for social justice, equality, diversity, and their content area expertise into a meaningful career.

Change of major requirements

Students do not change into this program as this is an advising map to help prepare applications to a future graduate program. Please see the program description for admissions requirements and contact the School of Education for questions about the admissions process as you near the end of your undergraduate program.


Admissions Requirements for the M.T. and Teacher Prep program:

  • Teacher Preparation Application testing and admissions application requirements can be found on the School of Education Teacher Preparation page

The Masters of Teaching (M.T.) application, GPA and testing requirements are found on the School of Education’s M.T. program website

Bachelor-level job titles
  • *** Completion of a graduate degree may be necessary for the following job titles:
  • High School and Middle School English Teacher (drama, journalism, yearbook)
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
Science required
Foreign language requirements
Additional tuition/fees
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

Contact information

Department name:
Dean's Office
Building/room location:
Oliver Hall, 1015 W. Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23284-2020
Phone:
804-827-2670
Email:
soeinfo@vcu.edu
https://soe.vcu.edu/
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Invalid campus
Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Build a LinkedIn profile with Career Services.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
  • Follow the School of Education’s social media for workshops and events.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using Lynda.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
  • Research local, national and international news and podcasts to stay informed.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Follow your English degree requirements, emphasizing where possible literature by and about diverse people (diversity of race, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.)
  • Schedule an appointment with your undergraduate advisor.
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or events hosted by the School of Education (i.e. John Cook lecture series, Teach-In kick-off).
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break
  • Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA) 
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Attend OMSA Social Justice Conference.
  • Consider short-term, semester and year-long Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Get to know other VCU students from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.
  • Participate in or attend local artistic production (drama, visual arts, poetry).
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Attend an SOE information session or Open House.  
  • Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Complete EDUS 301- Teacher Prep required course (between years 2-3).
  • Connect with M.T. faculty in English
  • Continue to follow your English degree requirements as those will set you up for success in your future M.T. program.
  • Prepare to apply for Teacher Prep program
  • See your advisor each semester to discuss degree progression and plans for elective coursework.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Attend a Wellness Resource Center program.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by your home department or the School of Education.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Create a community-engaged research project.
  • Volunteer with a youth serving non-profit organization.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Apply for summer research funding through UROP.
  • Apply to summer or part-time youth serving work in the community.
  • Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.
  • Seek research opportunities to refine your goals & to learn the rigors & discipline required for success.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Apply for Teacher Prep program (or fall of senior year)
  • Attend the VCU Careers in Education Symposium.
  • Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields.
  • Research the VCU School of Education’s graduate/professional programs in advance of application deadlines. Complete admissions exams the summer before your senior year PRAXIS, VCLA etc.)

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Continue to engage in research to create more content for your e-portfolio.
  • Explore applying to the School of Education- Substitute Teaching the VCU Way program.
  • Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other discipline- specific conference. 
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Complete necessary for graduate program (GRE/MAT) exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation.
  • Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, complete career and assessment activities, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services. 
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2018-2019

Secondary education

School of Education

Concentration(s):
English concentration
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Build a LinkedIn profile with Career Services.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
  • Follow the School of Education’s social media for workshops and events.
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using Lynda.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
  • Research local, national and international news and podcasts to stay informed.
Experience Year 2
  • Follow your English degree requirements, emphasizing where possible literature by and about diverse people (diversity of race, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.)
  • Schedule an appointment with your undergraduate advisor.
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or events hosted by the School of Education (i.e. John Cook lecture series, Teach-In kick-off).
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break
  • Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA) 
  • Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Attend OMSA Social Justice Conference.
  • Consider short-term, semester and year-long Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Get to know other VCU students from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.
  • Participate in or attend local artistic production (drama, visual arts, poetry).
  • Attend an SOE information session or Open House.  
  • Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network
Year 3
  • Complete EDUS 301- Teacher Prep required course (between years 2-3).
  • Connect with M.T. faculty in English
  • Continue to follow your English degree requirements as those will set you up for success in your future M.T. program.
  • Prepare to apply for Teacher Prep program
  • See your advisor each semester to discuss degree progression and plans for elective coursework.
  • Attend a Wellness Resource Center program.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by your home department or the School of Education.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Create a community-engaged research project.
  • Volunteer with a youth serving non-profit organization.
  • Apply for summer research funding through UROP.
  • Apply to summer or part-time youth serving work in the community.
  • Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.
  • Seek research opportunities to refine your goals & to learn the rigors & discipline required for success.
  • Apply for Teacher Prep program (or fall of senior year)
  • Attend the VCU Careers in Education Symposium.
  • Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields.
  • Research the VCU School of Education’s graduate/professional programs in advance of application deadlines. Complete admissions exams the summer before your senior year PRAXIS, VCLA etc.)
Excel Year 4
  • Continue to engage in research to create more content for your e-portfolio.
  • Explore applying to the School of Education- Substitute Teaching the VCU Way program.
  • Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other discipline- specific conference. 
  • Complete necessary for graduate program (GRE/MAT) exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation.
  • Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, complete career and assessment activities, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services. 
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.