Pursue your passion for teaching and the ability to impact and shape young minds as a classroom teacher with our Master of Teaching (MT) degree. Our MT is an initial teacher licensure preparation program that leads to earning a teaching license from the Virginia Department of Education as well as a graduate degree in teaching. The program is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than education but want to learn the skills to become an effective classroom teacher.
The University of Richmond and the School of Professional & Continuing Studies have been preparing career switchers to enter the teaching profession for decades. Central Virginia school divisions recognize the quality of teachers who complete our licensure and professional programs. Students often receive job offers before completing their teaching internships. Countless graduates have been named school- and division-level teachers of the year and first-year teachers of the year.
Face-to-face, classroom-based learning experiences are valued in the program, although some classes may be offered online or as in-class/online hybrid experiences.
Total: 38-44 semester hours
9 semester hours. All candidates must complete the following courses.
18 semester hours. Elementary education candidates only.
18 semester hours. Secondary & comprehensive education candidates only.
* Comprehensive foreign language candidates substitute Foreign Language Methods for .
3 semester hours from department-approved list. All candidates must take one elective graduate course, which may include initial coursework to meet add-on endorsement requirements in Gifted Education, Special Education or ESL.
8-14 semester hours
All Candidates
Most Candidates: Traditional Pathway
Provisionally Licensed Teachers: Employed Teacher Pathway
STEP Program Participants: STEP Residency Pathway
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.
Requires a qualifying bachelor’s degree major.
Requires qualifying bachelor’s degree major:
Requires qualifying bachelor’s degree major:
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.
12 semester hours
9-15 semester hours
3 semester hours
Student seeking admission to the Master of Teaching program must have the following:
Passing scores on the VCLA must be submitted directly to the School’s Education program, to the attention of Kris Waikart (kwaikart@richmond.edu). She is also available for registration support.
Test Score Requirements
Candidates who have passed previous testing requirements for admission should contact Kris Waikart.
Prepare to teach across disciplines in elementary school, or apply your undergraduate major and experience toward specific subjects in middle or high school school contexts.
In addition to selecting an initial endorsement area, MT students may work toward an additional endorsement. Endorsements are available in ESL (requires ESOL Praxis Exam as shown under English Language & Literacy), Gifted Education, and Special Education.
* serves as test prep for taking the ESOL Praxis Exam, required to earn Virginia ESL endorsement.
These courses prepare you to earn the Virginia Gifted Education endorsement.
* Summer classes are scheduled in early and late terms so both classes may be taken during the Summer.
These courses can prepare you to earn the Virginia Special Education - General Curriculum endorsement.
Key: [S] = Secondary; [E] = Elementary
Note: Secondary candidates must also complete and . Contact the Graduate Education program if interested.
The School of Professional & Continuing Studies is pleased to reprise its popular Spring Break Study Abroad experience for 2024, studying over spring break in Milan, Italy.
The School of Professional & Continuing Studies hired nine new adjunct faculty members for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The fall 2023 schedule of SPCS academic program classes is now available online. Registration opens for continuing and newly admitted students on Wednesday, July 12 at 9 a.m.