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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
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2020-2021

Secondary education (Advising Track)

School of Education

Concentration(s):
Biology
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 Richmond Teacher Residency, 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
  • STAT 210
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:
Department of Educational Leadership
Building/room location:
Oliver Hall Education
Phone:
(804) 828-8160
Email:
soeadvising@vcu.edu
http://www.soe.vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
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Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning for your first year, and to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
  • Map out course plan using Student Educational Planner in Degree Works.
  • Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.  
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Build a LinkedIn profile with Career Services, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page.
  • Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) to connect to VCU traditions, networking opportunities, and fellow Rams.
  • Learn about your credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.   
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.  
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program.
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
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, create spending plans, and assess your financial health.
  • Get plugged into VCULink, an online mentorship platform to help you meet fellow students and engage with alumni.
  • Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning.
  • Start preparing for the required assessments outlined on the Teacher Preparation website.
  • Enroll in upper level major courses as suggested for the M.T. additional coursework documents.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Update your resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  • Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
  • Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
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. 
  • Update your ePortfolio to incorporate new learning and experiences.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation, including researching salary norms, components of a benefits package, and other potential areas of flexibility.
  • 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
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
  • Learn to teach English through VCU’s TEFL certificate, an internationally-recognized credential for overseas employment as an English teacher.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors (peers, faculty, advisers, alumni, professionals).
  • Take on a leadership role in a student organization or go deeper in your service opportunities.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs and career events throughout the year to explore your interests. 
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
  • Apply for a year-long service or fellowship opportunity after graduation through programs like Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps.
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
  • Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation.
  • Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and relevant alumni chapter as you move towards graduation.
  • 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
2020-2021

Secondary education (Advising Track)

School of Education

Concentration(s):
Biology | Chemistry | Environmental studies/Earth science | Physics
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 to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning for your first year, and to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
  • Map out course plan using Student Educational Planner in Degree Works.
  • Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.  
  • Build a LinkedIn profile with Career Services, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page.
  • Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) to connect to VCU traditions, networking opportunities, and fellow Rams.
  • Learn about your credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
Experience Year 2
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.   
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.  
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program.
  • 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
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, create spending plans, and assess your financial health.
  • Get plugged into VCULink, an online mentorship platform to help you meet fellow students and engage with alumni.
  • Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
Year 3
  • Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning.
  • Start preparing for the required assessments outlined on the Teacher Preparation website.
  • Enroll in upper level major courses as suggested for the M.T. additional coursework documents.
  • Update your resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  • Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
  • Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
  • 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 ePortfolio to incorporate new learning and experiences.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation, including researching salary norms, components of a benefits package, and other potential areas of flexibility.
  • 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
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
  • Learn to teach English through VCU’s TEFL certificate, an internationally-recognized credential for overseas employment as an English teacher.
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors (peers, faculty, advisers, alumni, professionals).
  • Take on a leadership role in a student organization or go deeper in your service opportunities.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs and career events throughout the year to explore your interests. 
Excel Year 5
  • Consider becoming an active member of a local education association
  • Apply for a year-long service or fellowship opportunity after graduation through programs like Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps.
  • Create a student organization linked to your field of study.
  • Take at least one course that links diversity to your field of study.
  • Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation.
  • Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and relevant alumni chapter as you move towards graduation.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.