Education

Program Details

This curriculum prepares students to transfer to a four-year college or university teacher preparation program. It is specifically designed for students who plan to seek endorsement and licensure as teachers in PK-3, PK-6, middle school, or special education.

This degree program is designed to help students earn all of the required endorsement course hours for a teaching license in elementary education for the state of Virginia. In addition, this degree program includes many of the required endorsement courses for licensure in middle school (any subject) and high school history and social sciences. Some of these universities will guarantee admission to graduates of this program who have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, earn at least a 'C' in all English courses. Students are strongly encouraged to take the VCLA exam shortly after completing their 200-level English course. Students may want to take the Praxis CORE math exam after completing 9-12 hours of mathematics. The student, working directly with a NOVA Teacher Education Specialization advisor/counselor, should complete a transfer letter of agreement.

• Transfer Opportunities

  Since four-year colleges can vary in their course and GPA requirements, please consult a counselor or academic advisor regarding specific requirements and course selection.

• Credit for Prior Learning

  Northern Virginia Community College accepts industry-standard certifications, credentials and/or professional courses for credit. Broadly, licenses, credentials and/or certifications must be current and valid for consideration. For more information regarding the status of the certification and its eligibility for credit, please see an advisor or faculty members in the discipline area that awards CPL credit.

  • Credit for Prior Learning
• Career Prospects

  Students will need to complete their bachelor's degree to become a licensed teacher in Virginia. Upon completion of the AS in Social Sciences with a Specialization in Teacher Education, students can find employment as substitute teachers and instructional assistants.

Pathways to Becoming a Teacher If You Attend NOVA

• Social Science 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.

  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.