Master of Teaching

Teaching Endorsement Areas

Initial Endorsement Areas

Students in the MT program must select an initial endorsement area. Students may also complete coursework related to ESL, gifted education and special education toward an add-on endorsement. Consult with your academic advisor to develop a personalized plan of study.

Elementary Education (PreK-6)

Requires a qualifying bachelor’s degree major.

Secondary Content Areas (6-12)

Requires qualifying bachelor’s degree major:

• English
• History & Social Sciences
• Mathematics
• Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Comprehensive Content Areas (PreK-12)

Requires qualifying bachelor’s degree major:

• Foreign Language: French, German, Latin, Spanish
• Theater Arts
• Visual Arts

Add-on Endorsements

Students in the Master of Teaching and M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction programs may complete coursework related to ESL, gifted education and special education toward an add-on endorsement. Consult with your academic advisor to develop a personalized plan of study, and discuss the additional Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) requirements for an add-on endorsement.

Gifted Education

12 semester hours. M.Ed. students may be able to substitute courses as an alternative for a portion of Core Courses.

• EDUC 555U Curriculum for Talented and Gifted Education
• EDUC 562U Special Populations of Gifted Students
• EDUC 563U Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted Student
• EDUC 570U Foundations of Gifted Education

Special Education, General Curriculum Elementary

9 semester hours. M.Ed. students may be able to substitute courses as an alternative for a portion of Core Courses.

• EDUC 565U Foundations and Legal Aspects of Special Education
• EDUC 571U Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education
• EDUC 574U Understanding and Implementing the IEP

English as a Second Language

3 semester hours. M.Ed. students may be able to substitute courses as an alternative for a portion of Core Courses.

• EDUC 519U Working with English Learners

Admission to Graduate Programs

Transfer of Graduate Credits

Up to six semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred toward a graduate program in the School. Transfer credits may be accepted only from another regionally accredited institution of higher education. In order for graduate academic credits completed prior to admission into a graduate program to be considered, credits: (1) must have been completed within the past five years with a grade of 'B' or better; (2) must not have been used to satisfy requirements for another degree or certificate at the University of Richmond or another institution of higher education; and (3) must be approved by the Program Chair. Possible transfer credits completed while in the program must receive prior approval by the Program Chair. Except by waiver, no more than six hours may be transferred into a graduate program.

Graduate Admission Process

Students seeking admission to a graduate certificate or a master's degree program must complete the following:

• File a Graduate Application with the School and submit the non-refundable $50 graduate application fee
• Have official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities where college work was attempted forwarded directly to the School
• Have three (3) letters of recommendation sent directly to the School (requirement differs for Graduate Certificate in Teacher Licensure Preparation and Master of Teaching)
• Have official TOEFL scores sent (when applicable)

Official documents verifying college and university work and test scores must be sent from the institution or agency responsible for the information directly to the School.

Letters of recommendation should be substantive regarding the applicant’s potential to be successful as a graduate student and professional in their field. Letters from past or current supervisors and professors are preferred, and those from professional peers and coworkers who can offer meaningful input about the applicant’s abilities and potential may be appropriate as well. Letters from friends, family members, and subordinates are discouraged.

Additional requirements vary by graduate degree programs. See the section that follows for the graduate program to which you are applying.

Admission to the Master of Teaching

Student seeking admission to the Master of Teaching program must have the following (in addition to the admission requirements for all graduate programs):

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or international equivalent)
• GPA of 2.7 or higher on all college or university academic work attempted
• Two (2) official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended submitted directly to Education at the University of Richmond
• Passing scores on the Virginia Communication & Literacy Assessment (VCLA, see details below)
• Brief explanation of why they want to become a teacher along with a current résumé submitted to the School
• Two (2) professional references (MT Applicant Rating Forms)
• Successful admissions interview with the program director or designee

Testing Requirements for Admission

Passing scores on the VCLA must be submitted directly to the School’s Education program, to the attention of Miriam Blackmon (mblackmo@richmond.edu). She is also available for registration support.

Test Score Requirements

• Reading subtest (code 091) passing score: 235
• Writing subtest (code 092) passing score: 235
• Combined test passing score: 470

Candidates who have passed previous testing requirements for admission should contact Miriam Blackmon.