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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
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2018-2019

Secondary education

College of Humanities and Sciences

Concentration(s):
Physics
Program description

The Master of Teaching curricula are designed to incorporate eligibility for initial teaching licensure in Virginia in early and elementary, or secondary education (biology, chemistry, earth science, English, history, history and social studies, mathematics or physics).

The approved curricula include undergraduate qualifying courses as well. Individuals pursuing the extended program are awarded undergraduate and graduate degrees simultaneously; baccalaureate degree recipients who meet the admission criteria also may pursue the Master of Teaching degree program, including the qualifying courses. The combined baccalaureate and Master of Teaching program requires a minimum of 153-154 hours, at least 33 of which must be at the graduate level.

Career opportunities

Graduates typically work in public or private school systems, or youth service organizations. Teaching in public schools requires certification. Be sure to explore the certification requirements in the state you want to teach in as they can differ across states. Graduates can also find work with programs such as Teach for America, Americorps, America Reads or The Literacy Lab. Learn more and explore potential career pathways at https://www.teach.org/.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Career/technical education teacher
  • Elementary school teacher
  • High school teacher
  • Middle school teacher
  • Recreation worker
  • Special education teacher
  • Teacher assistant
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 201 or higher
Science required
  • 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • Yes
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 3.0 on last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework

Contact information

Department name:
School of Education
Building/room location:
Oliver Hall, 1015 West Main Street, Room 1037
Phone:
(804) 827-2670
Email:
soeinfo@vcu.edu
http://www.soe.vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers and job titles in your field of study.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.   
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Practice independent living skills such as money management, self-care, and time management.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss course selection, registration and degree progression.    
  • Enroll in courses as determined in consultation with academic advisor. 
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Take service-learning class(es).
  • Volunteer in the community to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA).
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities such as becoming a Resident Assistant, Orientation Leader, or Supplemental Instruction Leader
  • Apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break, and other leadership and service events through University Student Commons and Activities.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Become a mentee in the Multicultural Connections and Advisement Program
  • Join a Cultural Organization.  
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss course selection, registration and degree progression.
  • Complete required assessments (i.e. PRAXIS) as determined in consultation with academic advisor.
  • Enroll in upper level major courses.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Become a mentor for the Multicultural Connections and Advisement Program
  • Experience VCU’s richness of diversity by attending VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.
  • Use your summer to gain experiences and skills related to your career goals. 
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Update your LinkedIn profile and connect to at least 10 people; check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Expand your network and remember that you can network anywhere.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Learn to teach English through VCU’s TEFL certificate, an internationally-recognized credential for overseas employment as an English teacher.
  • Build your intercultural competence by becoming a conversation partner to an international student.   
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Consider becoming an active member of a local education association
  • Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America and City Year.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Create a student organization linked to your field of study.
  • Take at least one course that links diversity to your field of study.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Research prospective employers and create a job search strategy at least 6 months before graduation.
  • Draft a cover letter for a position of interest and have it reviewed at VCU Career Services.
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

College of Humanities and Sciences

Concentration(s):
Physics | Biology | Chemistry | Environmental studies/Earth science
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
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers and job titles in your field of study.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.   
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Practice independent living skills such as money management, self-care, and time management.
Experience Year 2
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss course selection, registration and degree progression.    
  • Enroll in courses as determined in consultation with academic advisor. 
  • Take service-learning class(es).
  • Volunteer in the community to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA).
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities such as becoming a Resident Assistant, Orientation Leader, or Supplemental Instruction Leader
  • Apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break, and other leadership and service events through University Student Commons and Activities.
  • Become a mentee in the Multicultural Connections and Advisement Program
  • Join a Cultural Organization.  
Year 3
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss course selection, registration and degree progression.
  • Complete required assessments (i.e. PRAXIS) as determined in consultation with academic advisor.
  • Enroll in upper level major courses.
  • Become a mentor for the Multicultural Connections and Advisement Program
  • Experience VCU’s richness of diversity by attending VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival.
  • Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.
  • Use your summer to gain experiences and skills related to your career goals. 
  • Update your LinkedIn profile and connect to at least 10 people; check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Expand your network and remember that you can network anywhere.
Year 4
  • Learn to teach English through VCU’s TEFL certificate, an internationally-recognized credential for overseas employment as an English teacher.
  • Build your intercultural competence by becoming a conversation partner to an international student.   
Excel Year 5
  • Consider becoming an active member of a local education association
  • Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America and City Year.
  • Create a student organization linked to your field of study.
  • Take at least one course that links diversity to your field of study.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job search strategy at least 6 months before graduation.
  • Draft a cover letter for a position of interest and have it reviewed at VCU Career Services.