Virginia Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
Alternative teacher preparation programs, also known as non-traditional programs, are designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Virginia offers several routes to the classroom for career switchers who already have a bachelor’s degree. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, see our guide to traditional certification in Virginia. Otherwise, read more about Virginia’s alternative routes to teacher licensure below.
Table of Contents
- Virginia Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Best Alternative Certification Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
To be eligible for alternative teacher certification in Virginia, candidates typically must have at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school. Other requirements vary based on the route. These typically include passing state-mandated tests for educators and completing a formal, state-approved educator preparation program (EPP).
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Virginia
Prospective teachers pursuing alternative certification in Virginia must complete a state-approved EPP to qualify for licensure. These programs may lead to a certificate or a master’s degree in teaching, education, or a teachable subject.
Career Switcher Alternative Route to Licensure Program
To be eligible for the Career Switcher Alternative Route to Licensure Program, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of work experience. The candidate must also meet the academic requirements for their endorsement area and earn qualifying scores on the professional assessments for their subjects and grade levels. These assessments include the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) and the Praxis Subject Test for the subject area to be taught. Early education, elementary education, and special education teachers must also take the Praxis Teaching Reading test.
After meeting these requirements, candidates must apply to one of the approved EPP providers in Virginia. You can review a list of approved programs on the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website. Only an approved career switcher preparation program can qualify a candidate for licensure in this pathway. Career switchers must complete levels I, II, and III (if required).
Level I, the first year, focuses on instructional methods, pedagogy, and field experience (minimum 180 hours). A one-year Provisional Career Switcher License is awarded after completion of Level I. Candidates must then be hired for a teaching position at a public or accredited nonpublic school in the state. A mentor will be assigned to the teacher candidate to aid in the transition to full-time teaching. Candidates attend at least five seminars provided by their career switcher program provider during Level II. An additional year of preparation may be required if needed, which will be Level III. After all levels have been completed, the career switcher program and the employer will recommend the candidate for the Collegiate Professional License, a 10-Year Renewable License.
iteach Alternate Route to Licensure
iteach is another alternative route to licensure in Virginia. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA and pass the Praxis Subject Test for their content area. Candidates must apply for a position at an approved partnering school division. The program is designed to take one year, including the teaching residency, but candidates have two full school years to find a teaching position while they are enrolled in the program.
Technical Professional License
For those who wish to teach career and technical education (CTE) subjects, the Technical Professional License is a common route to alternative teacher licensure in Virginia. To be eligible for this license, candidates must have at least a high school diploma and nine semester hours of college-level professional studies coursework in specific education areas. Candidates must also hold an industry certification credential in the career field to be taught, as well as two years of entry-level experience and at least four years of experience in a management or supervisory role in the career field. As these requirements may vary based on career subject area, candidates should consult the VDOE Administrative Code for further information.
Testing Requirements for Virginia Alternative Certification
All educators in Virginia must pass the VCLA and the Praxis Subject Test that align with their endorsement area and intended teaching grade level. You can read more about the required exams and minimum scores on the VDOE website.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Reciprocity is available for teachers with a valid license to teach in another state through a state-approved EPP at an accredited four-year institution. Candidates who do not hold certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) must pass the same exams required of all candidates. For more information, review our teaching license reciprocity guide.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Virginia
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved EPP. Alternative route EPPs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the VDOE for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Averett University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $23,855 |
| Christopher Newport University | CAEP | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $25,393 |
| Eastern Mennonite University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $22,766 |
| Emory & Henry University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $17,715 |
| George Mason University* | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $18,285 |
| Hampton University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $28,952 |
| Hollins University* | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $19,315 |
| James Madison University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $18,592 |
| Mary Baldwin University | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $18,741 |
| Marymount University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $24,224 |
| Norfolk State University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $15,657 |
| Old Dominion University* | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | 126 | 52 | N.Av. | $17,162 |
| Regent University* | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | 139 | 72 | 99% | $14,785 |
| Shenandoah University* | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | 180 | 72 | 100% | $31,089 |
| Sweet Briar College* | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $26,554 |
| The College of William & Mary | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $18,588 |
| University of Lynchburg | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $24,386 |
| University of Mary Washington | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $22,569 |
| University of Richmond | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $25,700 |
| University of Virginia* | CAEP | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $19,043 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University* | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | 32 | 6 | N.Av. | $20,566 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $20,247 |
| Virginia Union University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $18,722 |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $23,512 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
- *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.
Best Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in Virginia
We used overall pass rates on the teacher licensing exams to identify the best alternative teacher certification programs in Virginia. The following schools reported 99% pass rates or above for alternative and master’s program graduates.
- Shenandoah University (Certificate, Master’s; 100%)
- Regent University (Certificate, Master’s; 99%)4
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Virginia based on the shortest possible time to completion. Shorter alternative certification programs are often more affordable since they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
- Virginia Wesleyan University (10 months)
- Emory & Henry University (12 months)
- George Mason University (12 months)
- Hollins University (12 months)
- James Madison University (12 months)
- Marymount University (12 months)
- Old Dominion University (12 months)
- Regent University (12 months)
- Shenandoah University (12 months)
- Sweet Briar College (12 months)
- The College of William & Mary (12 months)
- University of Virginia (12 months)
- Virginia Commonwealth University (12 months)
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (12 months)
Additional Resources
- VDOE Career Switcher Program: Overview of the career switcher route to licensure and approved program providers.
- VDOE Teacher Licensure: Provides detailed information on requirements for prospective Virginia educators.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Virginia Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Virginia Department of Education: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/teaching-in-virginia/licensure
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/