Virginia Teacher Certification

How to Become a Teacher in Virginia

In order to teach in Virginia, individuals must possess one very important piece of paper: a Virginia teacher certification. Like all of the states, Virginia has established specific requirements that must be fulfilled in order for an individual to earn a Virginia teaching certificate. These requirements include completing an approved education program, passing state-determined assessments, and completing the application process.

Spotlight School

Kaplan University

Popular Programs:

• MS in Education (for Existing Teachers Grades K-12)
• MA in Teaching (for Aspiring Teachers Grades 5-12)

Virginia Teacher Education Requirements

The initial step toward becoming a teacher in Virginia is to complete the state’s educational requirements. First, a bachelor’s degree must be earned at an accredited academic institution. In addition, a state-approved teacher preparation program is required. In some cases, a state-approved alternative program may be completed instead.

Profiles of Well Known Schools

Virginia Tech: The School of Education at Virginia Tech offers educationally curious students with several degree and career pathways that lead to rewarding and fruitful careers in education at all levels. Students who are current teachers as well as those who hope to become educators will find the atmosphere accommodating, challenging, and enlightening. The curriculum within the degree programs at the school combine best practices in education as well as dynamic coursework that challenges the status quo and pushes boundaries. This provides students with a historical framework as well as the ability to think outside of the norm to help students learn and achieve whether it’s in an elementary classroom, high school classroom or college lecture hall. Students can choose from one of many bachelor’s and graduate degrees depending on their goals.

Virginia Teacher Testing Requirements

Once the educational requirements for becoming a teacher in Virginia have been met, teacher candidates must pass the prescribed examinations as determined by the Virginia Board of Education. Three assessments are used for initial licensure in Virginia, depending upon the teaching area that has been chosen. The first is the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment, which is required for teachers in all subject areas. Next, the Praxis II assessment evaluates the teacher candidate’s knowledge of his or her content area. Finally, the Reading Assessment is required for those pursuing the following endorsements: Reading Specialist, Early/Primary preK-3, Elementary Education preK-6, or a variety of Special Education areas.

Those who hold a valid teaching license in another state and who have taught for at least three years are exempt from taking the above tests. In addition, individuals who have completed the requirements for certification and have received employment in Virginia but have not passed the required tests may be eligible for a nonrenewable provisional license that is valid for three years. This license must be requested by the hiring school district.

Virginia Teacher Salary and Jobs

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.

Virginia Teacher Interview

Interview with Mimi Hager, Virginia Fifth Grade Teacher

School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in Virginia

Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools

The University of Texas at Arlington

Popular Programs:

• Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Math
• Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy

University of Phoenix

Popular Programs:

• M.A. in Education/Early Childhood Ed.
• M.A. in Education/Secondary Teacher Education
• B.S. in Education / Elementary Education
• A.A. in Elementary Education
• And more...

California University of Pennsylvania

Popular Programs:

• Early Childhood Education (Certification Only)
• Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
• MA in Teaching: Advanced Studies in Secondary Education- National Board Preparation
• Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (SLE)
• And more...

Penn Foster Schools

Popular Programs:

• Teacher Aide

Concordia University Online

Popular Programs:

• B.S. in Early Childhood Education (Birth - 5 Years)
• M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Curriculum & Instruction: Early Childhood Education
• Special Education (Early Childhood/Elementary)
• Educational Administration: (EDD)
• And more...

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Teacher in Virginia

Question: What is the requirement to become a special education teacher in Virginia?

Answer: In order to become a special education teacher in Virginia you must complete a course of study at a state approved program that offers approved special education teacher preparation programs.

Question: How do you become a substitute teacher in Virginia?

Answer: To become a substitute teacher in Virginia, you must apply to individual districts. Each district has its own requirements for substitutes. At the state level, substitute teachers must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.

Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in Virginia

Averett University
420 W Main St
Danville, VA 24541
(434) 791-5600
www.averett.edu/admissions/index.php

Bluefield College
3000 College Dr
Bluefield, VA 24605
(276) 326-3682
www.bluefield.edu/templates/cusbluefield_trad/details.asp?id=30250&PID=231418

Bridgewater College
402 E College St
Bridgewater, VA 22812-1599
(540) 828-8000
www.bridgewater.edu/Admissions

Christopher Newport University
1 University Place
Newport News, VA 23606
(757) 594-7000
admissions.cnu.edu

Eastern Mennonite University
1200 Park Rd
Harrisonburg, VA 22802-2462
(540) 432-4000
www.emu.edu/admissions/

Emory and Henry College
1 Garnand Drive
Emory, VA 24327-0947
(276) 944-4121
www.ehc.edu/admissions/index.html

George Mason University
4400 University Dr
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
(703) 993-1000
admissions.gmu.edu/

Hampton University
Hampton, VA 23668-0099
(757) 727-5000
www.hamptonu.edu/studentservices/admissions

Hollins University
7916 Williamson Rd NW
Roanoke, VA 24020
(540) 362-6000
www.hollins.edu/admissions/admissions.htm

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
1651 E Parham Road
Richmond, VA 23228
(804) 371-3000

James Madison University
800 South Main Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
(540) 568-6211
www.jmu.edu/admissions

John Tyler Community College
13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Chester, VA 23831-5316
(804) 796-4000

Liberty University
1971 University Blvd
Lynchburg, VA 24502
(434) 582-2000
www.liberty.edu/admissions

Student Review: “Liberty University is certainly a great university overall, but their teaching program was exceptional. The courses required to take to pass the program were very informative and created the tools that I needed to set a foundation for a career of teaching. The professors were some of the best in the country but always had time for their students. The size of the class allowed them to know each student personally. It was truly the guidance of these professors that made the program so great. My classmates were also all very approachable, and we oftentimes taught each other valuable lessons.” -Jessica B., student at Liberty University

Lynchburg College
1501 Lakeside Dr
Lynchburg, VA 24501-3199
(434) 544-8100
www.lynchburg.edu/admissions.xml

Marymount University
2807 N Glebe Rd
Arlington, VA 22207-4299
(703) 522-5600
www.marymount.edu/admissions/index.html

Norfolk State University
700 Park Ave
Norfolk, VA 23504-8000
(757) 823-8600
www.nsu.edu/admissions/

Student Review: “Any school is what you make it out to be. In my experience, the professors here are lenient graders. This can be looked at as a good or as a bad thing. However, if you choose not to apply yourself, you are shooting yourself in the foot whether you chose to go to work or go to graduate school upon graduation. The food choices are excellent. There is everything from Tropical Smoothie Cafe to a place where you can get grilled subs made to your specifications on campus. The main cafeteria is also excellent. It is all you can eat though so unless you want to gain weight, be careful. The food is good but at times it can be a little heavy on the oil and butter. To their credit though, healthier choices are offered. The campus itself is safe and the campus police make their presence known. There are a lot of extracurricular programs and free dances and social opportunities for students. You will not be bored. My biggest piece of advice is to just apply yourself. This is the lowest cost four year school in the area, so by going here you have the opportunity to graduate with far less debt than the average college graduate (at least if you are an in-state student). Do not waste this opportunity. School is what you make of it. You have access to the same books and the same World Wide Web as someone going to MIT. Don’t limit yourself and take advantage of everything the school has to offer from free cultural activities to the Career Center.” -Krystal B., student at Norfolk State University

Northern Virginia Community College
4001 Wakefield Chapel Road,
Annandale, VA 22003-3796
www.nvcc.edu/
(703) 323-3000

Student Review: “I liked my time at Northern Virginia Community College. It was very challenging at times but I felt like I learned a lot. The Composition and English classes were a breeze for me but I had a very hard time with Biology. It wasn’t that the subject was very hard but had more to do with the professor. I felt he was not very professional. One thing I will say is that it’s pretty easy to get all A’s at Northern Virginia Community College. All you have to do is show up to most classes and you will get a great grade. Some professors like to give the students a harder time though so it’s not all easy. Over all I felt like my time at NOVA was well spent and I earned my degree and it really helped prepare me for a career in the teaching field.” -Noah V., student at Northern Virginia Community College

Old Dominion University
5115 Hampton Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23529
(757) 683-3000
admissions.odu.edu/home.php

Patrick Henry Community College
645 Patriot Avenue
Martinsville, VA 24112-5311
(276) 656-0311
www.ph.vccs.edu/content.cfm?c=11&path=25

Radford University
East Main Street
Radford, VA 24141-0672
(540) 831-5000
www.radford.edu/admissions/index.html

Regent University
1000 Regent University Dr
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
(757) 352-4127
www.regent.edu/acad/schedu/admissions/

Shenandoah University
1460 University Dr
Winchester, VA 22601-5195
(540) 665-4500
www.su.edu/admissions/default2.cfm

Sweet Briar College
134 Chapel Drive
Sweet Briar, VA 24595-9998
(434) 381-6100
www.sbc.edu/admissions/

University of Mary Washington
1301 College Ave
Fredericksburg, VA 22401-5300
(540) 654-1000
www.umw.edu/admissions/default.php

University of Richmond
28 Westhampton Way
Richmond, VA 23173
(804) 289-8000
admissions.richmond.edu/

Virginia Commonwealth University
910 W Franklin St
Richmond, VA 23284-2512
(804) 828-0100
www.vcu.edu/admissions/

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0131
(540) 231-6000
www.admiss.vt.edu

Student Review: “There were many aspects of my education that I loved. My general courses were taught by helpful professors who knew the material and how to convey it. I took several courses that weren’t required just because the professors were so good. The teaching aspects of my program were mixed. My internship was with a very helpful teacher, but I was the only one in my program assigned to a primary school (k-2) rather than an elementary school (k-5,) so my experience was limited. My main education professor was vague in his assignments, and disorganized in his instruction. Overall, I think I got a great education, but wish I had some more relevant experience.” -Jackie D., student at Virginia Tech

Virginia State University
One Hayden Drive
Petersburg, VA 23806
(804) 524-5000
www.vsu.edu/pages/168.asp

Virginia Union University
1500 N Lombardy St
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 257-5600
www.vuu.edu/admissions/home.htm

Virginia Wesleyan College
1584 Wesleyan Dr
Norfolk, VA 23502-5599
(757) 455-3200
www.vwc.edu/admissions/

Page edited by Charles Sipe.