About The Major
Students seeking teaching licensure with endorsement in Elementary Education (preK-6) or Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12) complete a major that reflects the interdisciplinary and interdependent nature of the liberal arts. The Comprehensive Liberal Studies: Curriculum Emphasis (CLS:CE) major allows teaching candidates in the above areas to pursue studies in the University's four academic schools while meeting the competencies required in the Virginia Board of Education's Regulations Governing the Review and Approval of Education Programs in Virginia.
It is recommended that a student wishing to declare the CLS:CE major file a Declaration of Major form with the Office of the Registrar as early as possible or at least by the spring of their sophomore year. Students must then secure an adviser, who is usually a full-time faculty member from the Education Department, in order to outline a plan of study that leads to admission in the Undergraduate Education Program and finally to teaching certification.
In order for a student in the CLS:CE major to be successful, they must meet the requirements of and be accepted into the Undergraduate Education Program by the end of their sophomore year. Once accepted into the Undergraduate Education Program, a student may begin to enroll in Junior-level professional education courses. View the Undergraduate Candidate Handbook to learn more the Elementary and Special Education programs here at VWU. VWU also has a Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) that leads to teaching endorsement in one of 13 areas. To learn about our graduate programs visit the VWU MAEd program page.
Leads to endorsement in: Elementary Education (preK-6) or Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12)
Chair: Dr. William McConnell