Master of Teaching
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.
Program Details
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Required
MT Program of Study
Total: 38-44 semester hours
Professional Studies — All
9 semester hours. All candidates must complete the following courses.
- Foundations of Education
- Diverse Learners and Human Growth and Development
- Classroom and Behavior Management
Professional Studies — Elementary
18 semester hours. Elementary education candidates only.
- Instruction and Assessment in Elementary Science
- Instruction and Assessment in Elementary Social Studies
- Concepts and Methods in Elementary Math
- Assessment and Differentiation in Elementary Math
- Reading Foundations
- Assessment, Intervention and Literacy Strategies
Professional Studies — Secondary & Comprehensive
18 semester hours. Secondary & comprehensive education candidates only.
- Technology-enhanced 21st Century Teaching and Learning
- Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary and Comprehensive Classrooms
- Assessment and Evaluation in Education
- Advanced Secondary and Comprehensive Methods*
- Content Area Literacy
- Assessment, Intervention, and Literacy Strategies for Adolescents
* Comprehensive foreign language candidates substitute Foreign Language Methods for .
Elective
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.
Clinical Experience
8-14 semester hours
All Candidates
- Pre-Internship Workshop Series (0.25 sem. hrs.)
- Capstone Seminar (1.75 sem. hrs.)
Most Candidates: Traditional Pathway
- Teaching Internship (12 sem. hrs.)
Provisionally Licensed Teachers: Employed Teacher Pathway
- Contracted Teacher Internship (6 sem. hrs. generally completed over 2 semesters)
STEP Program Participants: STEP Residency Pathway
- Contracted Teaching Internship (6 sem. hrs. over 2 semesters)
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Initial Endorsement
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
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Additional Endorsements
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
- Curriculum for Talented and Gifted Education
- Special Populations of Gifted Students
- Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted Student
- Foundations of Gifted Education
Special Education, General Curriculum
9-15 semester hours
- Assessment and Differentiation in Elementary Math (secondary)
- Assessment, Intervention and Literacy Strategies for Adolescents (secondary)
- Foundations and Legal Aspects of Special Education (elementary & secondary)
- Successful Transitions in Special Education (secondary)
- Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education (elementary)
- Understanding and Implementing the IEP (elementary & secondary)
English as a Second Language
3 semester hours
- Working with English Learners
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MT Admissions
Admission to the Master of Teaching
Student seeking admission to the Master of Teaching program must have the following:
- 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
- 2 official digital transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, submitted as follows:
- 1 digital transcript to VDOE at transcripts@doe.virginia.gov
- 1 digital transcript to UR at education@richmond.edu
- Passing scores on the Virginia Communication & Literacy Assessment (VCLA, see details below)
- Brief explanation of why you want to become a teacher along with a current résumé submitted to the School
- 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 Kris Waikart (kwaikart@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 Kris Waikart.
