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Teacher Education Program Information

Pathways to Becoming a Teacher If you Attend NOVA

Social Sciences With Teacher Education Specialization Associates Degree

This is for students who would like to teach Elementary Education and Special Education.

  • Follow the requirements of the Teacher Education Associates Degree Program. There are no course substitutions allowed in this program.
  • Be sure to take SDV 101, Orientation to Education
  • Submit your PTEAA Letter during EDU 200.
  • Contact an adviser at the university level to insure the specific courses you take as electives are appropriate for transfer.

Teaching Secondary Education (Grades 6/7-12)

  • Follow the coursework requirements for earning an Associates Degree, which will eventually help you to earn a Bachelors Degree in the subject area you would like to teach.
  • Take SDV 101, Orientation to Education, as your student development course.
  • Take EDU 200.
  • Submit your PTEAA Letter during EDU 200.
  • Contact an adviser at the university level to insure the specific courses you take as electives are appropriate for transfer.
  • Check the endorsement requirements for your subject area in the state of Virginia.

Praxis CORE Exam

As of January 1, 2014, Virginia universities are requiring an exam called the Praxis CORE rather than the Praxis I for admittance in to Teacher Licensure Programs. SAT and ACT scores may still be substituted, but you need to check the university websites to see what scores they would require for substitution with those exams. If you took and passed the Praxis I before January 1, 2014, that will also be accepted. You do NOT need the Praxis CORE to graduate from NOVA, but you WILL need the Praxis CORE when you apply to a Teacher Licensure Program once you transfer. It is best to take this exam once you finish your English and math courses.

VCCS Career Switcher Program

* This program is only appropriate if you already have a Bachelor’s Degree and have three or more years of work experience. Visit this website: www.EducateVA.com

The Career Switcher Program was designed to meet the needs of individuals who may need to continue working while completing the necessary coursework to become endorsed. Level One is a 18-week hybrid program that consists of seven Saturday sessions at NOVA's Annandale, Manassas, and Woodbridge campuses, and the remainder of the coursework online through the use of Canvas. At the end of Level One, students are issued a one-year Eligibility License, and will enter Level Two when they obtain a teaching position. After one successful year of teaching, students will become fully licensed.

VCCS Career Switchers Endorsement Areas

The Virginia Community College System provides the opportunity to earn teacher licensure in the following endorsement areas:

  • Middle School Mathematics (6-8)
  • Middle School Science (6-8)
  • Middle School (6-8) English/Language Arts
  • Middle School (6-8) Social Studies
  • Mathematics (6-12)
  • English (6-12)
  • Biology (6-12)
  • Chemistry (6-12)
  • Earth Science (6-12)
  • Physics (6-12)
  • Social Studies (6-12)
  • Foreign Languages (K-12)
  • Health and PE (PK-12)
  • Business Education
  • Marketing Education
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Technology Education

VCCS Career Switchers Prerequisites

  1. You must have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  2. You should have a GPA of 2.5 or higher in your undergraduate coursework.
  3. You must have a minimum of three years of professional work experience or its equivalent in addition to your degree. Your work history will be evaluated in terms of your experience, maturity, professional background, or an ability to apply your career experiences in the classroom.
  4. You must have successfully completed the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) and Praxis II assessments at prescribed levels. The VCLA assesses reading and writing proficiency; PRAXIS II is the content specialty exam. With passing scores on Praxis II you can become endorsed in any content area without further coursework.
  5. You must be willing to provide the results of a criminal background check prior to field placement or employment in the classroom.

For more info on Career Switchers, please contact the NOVA adviser for Career Switchers, Dr. Ogden, at kogden@ccwa.vccs.edu.

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