Teacher Education Program
The unique nature of the Teacher Education Program at Virginia Wesleyan University provides students multiple opportunities to apply what they learn in coursework by serving the community. In partnership with Virginia Beach Public Schools, the VWU students in the picture above just finished leading several hands-on learning stations for over 100 fourth graders and parents as a part of the Downstream Collaborative Project.
Specific VWU Teacher Education Programs Leading to Virginia Teaching Certification
The VWU Teacher Education Program houses both undergraduate and graduate-level initial teacher licensure programs leading to endorsements in fifteen different areas and one graduate-level program for licensed teachers. The list below delineates each of the fifteen available endorsement areas for initial licensure. The undergraduate programs consist of three different education majors, Elementary Education (preK-6), Special Education (K-12), Education Studies (non-licensure track). To complete any of these majors, students must apply, complete preadmission requirements, and be accepted into the major by the end of their sophomore year. Students completing the graduate program that leads to initial licensure will apply to the VWU Master of Arts in Education program as early as their sophomore year.
Undergraduate Education Program (more information)
- Elementary Education (PreK-6)
- Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12)
- Education Studies (Non-licensure)
Graduate Education Program (MAEd) (more information)
Secondary Endorsement Areas (6-12)
PreK-12 Endorsement Areas
About the Teacher Education Program
Fully accredited by the Virginia Board of Education, the Teacher Education Program at Virginia Wesleyan University is known for preparing enthusiastic, well-prepared, and effective classroom teachers. The Education faculty embrace and advocate a perspective that values lifelong learning and continuous improvement of the individual that is best captured by six words:
WE learn. WE do. WE serve.
We Learn:
Academic knowledge and skills are gained through VWU’s integrative General Education coursework and content majors that assist teacher candidates in understanding themselves and the world around them, and that allow them to gain a more integrated view of knowledge and skills. Professional and pedagogical knowledge and skills evolve in our programs through a carefully planned course of study that includes pre-admission, professional studies courses, and early site-based experiences. These experiences provide the knowledge needed for teaching candidates to begin developing, implementing, and assessing innovative curriculum in diverse contexts.
We Do:
Diverse on and off-site field experiences help candidates apply theory and knowledge learned in coursework to professional practice. Early field experiences begin in the pre-admission courses, continue throughout the program, and lead to formal practicum experiences and student teaching. Providing early, frequent, and essential field experiences in diverse contexts exposes VWU candidates to the increasing diversity of the region’s schools and the students who attend them. These experiences coupled with instruction provided in class, allow our teaching candidates the time and guidance necessary to employ the culturally responsive teaching strategies and evidence-based practices crucial for success in today’s schools.
We Serve:
The Wesleyan heritage promotes a commitment to servant leadership within the University’s faculty, staff, and students. Through an extensive network of partnerships, VWU teacher candidates have multiple opportunities to take part in service-learning experiences within and outside of their coursework. The Downstream Collaborative Project, the Environmental Explorers Program, Marlins Read, and the Virginia Wesleyan Environmental Institute are some of the many opportunities in which VWU teaching candidates work together to make a positive difference in their communities. After completion of the program, VWU teacher candidates are ready to serve their community as professional educators.
For more information regarding the conceptual framework, mission, and philosophy of the VWU teacher education program please see the VWU Undergraduate Handbook or VWU Master of Arts in Education Handbook.
Our expectations are high. Join us in making a difference in the lives of children.