Academic Programs

The department offers advanced degrees for practicing teachers who wish to further develop their expertise and initial licensure for those entering the teaching profession. Our research-based programs are designed for early childhood, elementary, middle, and secondary educators as well as literacy specialists.

Initial Licensure

Early Childhood Education

For prospective teachers who want to obtain a teaching license with an endorsement in Pre-K through grade three.

Learn more about early education

Elementary (PreK - 6)

For prospective teachers who want to obtain a license to teach in grade Pre-K through grade six.

Learn more about elementary licenses

Middle School

For prospective teachers who want to obtain an initial middle school teaching license.

Learn about middle school options

Secondary Education

For prospective teachers who want to obtain licensure as a teacher in grades 6 through 12 in the following content areas: English, mathematics, earth science, chemistry, biology or physics, and history/social studies, which will be listed on the license.

Secondary Degree Options

Licensed Teacher

Reading

The program is designed to provide professional training for prospective reading specialists, literacy coaches, and elementary- and secondary-level reading teachers.

Learn about the reading program

Master of Science in Education

For licensed teachers who want to improve and update their professional competency in teaching and enrich their teaching expertise.

Learn more about the master's degree

Math Specialist

This graduate program leads to a Master’s of Science in Education degree.

Learn about the masteri's degree for math specialists

Ph.D. in Education

The curricula is solidly grounded in interpreting and producing research, use of technology to enhance the teaching/learning process, equity, and leadership, which are woven into common core courses and concentration-specific courses.

Explore the doctorate

Certificates

Literacy Coaching Certificate

The purpose of this certificate is to prepare literacy coaches in understanding literacy development among children using research-based theories in literacy methods and instructional design.

Learn about Literacy Coaching

Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education

This certificate program is designed to support provisionally licensed teachers, who are employed by a school division in the Commonwealth, in meeting teacher licensure requirements.

Learn more about the Secondary Education Certificate

Teacher Leadership Certificate

The purpose of this certificate is to prepare educators as teacher leaders in school settings. Graduates of this program will have training in how to mentor and coach teacher candidates, novice, and experienced teachers.

Teacher Leadership

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate

The purpose of this certificate is for students who want to teach English to speakers of other languages. There are two concentrations for this certificate: (1) the Adult Learner concentration can be used for teaching English to adult learners or for teaching English as an additional language abroad and (2) the teacher concentration for teachers in K-12 settings. (Campus and online).

Learn about the TESOL Certificate

Tidewater Writing Project

The Tidewater Writing Project is a satellite of the Virginia Writing Project and a part of the larger network of the National Writing Project.

The National Writing Project is the premier effort to improve writing in America. Through its professional development model, NWP builds the leadership, programs, and research needed for teachers to help their students become successful writers and learners. Studies of student achievement, both local and national, show positive results.

► Learn More about the Tidewater Writing Project