M.T. Secondary Sciences and Math Concentration

 
The M.T. in Teaching with a concentration in Science Education and the M.T. in Teaching with a concentration in Mathematics Education are designed to prepare innovative, life-long learners who are passionate to teach future 6-12 grade science or math students. This program can be completed as part of our VCU extended teacher preparation program for current VCU students, or as a program for students from other institutions who have completed equivalent mathematics, biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics undergraduate programs*.

Science and math are consistently in the top highest need teaching areas in Virginia and nationally. If you have a passion for biology, chemistry, earth science, physics or math, you can help shape the curious minds of the next generation. Inspiring students to try new things, test hypotheses, have fun with science and math is critical to the building of confidence and a passion for learning in students.

Learn from passionate and curious faculty who are advancing science education and driving inclusion and access to science through STEM specific projects, a Center for Innovation in STEM Education, and who are committed to engaging in critical conversations of today as they leverage cross-institutional resources and partnerships to ensure students maximize their graduate experience.

From solar car race competitions to NOAA watershed projects, our faculty, students and community partners (e.g. Blue Sky Fund), provide opportunities for students to apply their passion and knowledge in ways that positively impact students.

Learn more about specific scholarships available to future science and math teachers through our NOYCE scholarship and many others.

Prerequisite Course Work*

Each M.T. concentration has unique prerequisite courses. Please see the link below for this concentration’s prerequisite resource. If you would like for your transcripts to be reviewed by our licensure team, please submit this transcript evaluation request. Please allow up to two weeks for a review.

• M.T. Secondary Math Resource [PDF]
• M.T. Secondary Science Resource [PDF]

Note: Exact course requirements may vary depending on when you matriculated into the program. We do not offer academic credit for life experience; you will have to take courses, or in some cases, ask that courses be transferred from another institution to VCU; we accept up to six graduate credits of courses that are equivalent to those that we offer in our program.

Main M.T. Secondary Pathway/Course Sequence Plan

Students will exit the program with a full initial Virginia licensure as long as they complete all the required Teacher Preparation testing, and academic program requirements. 

Designed for full-time students and working professionals, this program can be completed in as little as three (3) full-time semesters if students begin in either a spring or summer semester. Students who begin in a fall semester can expect two fall and two spring semesters to complete the program full-time. 

Note: If you cannot take summer courses, your program will be extended by an additional fall and spring semester. 

Curriculum requirements can be found on the link under “Concentrations/VCU Bulletin Info” in the gray admissions box.

CONCENTRATIONS/VCU BULLETIN INFO

Program Concentration

• Sciences (biology/chemistry/earth science/physics)
• Mathematics education

PROGRAM BASICS

How to apply: Graduate application
Semester of entry: Spring, summer or fall
Application deadline: Feb. 1 for fall and summer admission, Oct. 1 for spring admission
     Late applications reviewed on a case-by-case basis
This degree can also be pursued as part of the RTR program.

Resources and Checklists

M.T. Application Resource [PDF]
M.T. Secondary Math Resource [PDF]
M.T. Secondary Science Resource [PDF]
RTR Teacher Residency Application Checklist [PDF]

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• VCU Graduate School requirements
• Received or pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a major matching the degree concentration (or an appropriate liberal studies major for those in the early and elementary education concentration)
• Written essay addressing your career interests
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from previous academic work
• Completion of the Teacher Preparation Application* and required testing requirements for Virginia licensure are found here.
  *VCU extended teacher preparation students have already completed the Teacher Preparation Application as part of your undergraduate program.

FOR MORE IN-DEPTH INFO

• Future Teacher Program Guide - Secondary Teaching [PDF]
• Teaching and Learning academic programs
• Five-year extended teacher preparation program
• Licensure to program comparison chart