About The Program
If a perfect afternoon means getting lost in the plot of a well-written book, you might consider teaching a love of literature and great storytelling as an English educator in grades 6-12. Our program builds on your undergraduate English program, and it extends beyond introducing students to a wealth of literature to helping them master the art of effective thinking, writing and speaking. Your program includes practical in-classroom experience.
Career Paths
- English Teacher (Middle or High School)
- Adult Education Teacher
- Literacy Program Coordinator
- Curriculum Developer (specializing in English)
- Educational Consultant (specializing in English)
- Instructional Coach (focusing on English)
- Reading Specialist
- Private English Tutor
- Educational Program Director
- Online English Instructor
- Teacher Trainer (focusing on English)
- Content Developer for Educational Publishing
- English Department Chair
- Education Policy Analyst (focusing on English education)
At a Glance
Degree Earned
Master of Teaching (M.T.)
Credits: 33
Application Semesters and Deadlines
Fall and Summer: February 1
Spring: October 1
Program Modality
In-person
Estimated Completion Time
Full-time (9-15 credits): average completion in 3 semesters
Part-time (1-8 credits): average completion in 5 semesters
*Note: Student Teaching for secondary teachers is Spring only
Our program meets both initial teacher licensure requirements in Virginia, as well as for early intervention certification.
Admission requirements
| Degree: | Semester(s) of entry: | Deadline dates: | Test requirements: |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.T. | Fall | Feb 1 | |
| Spring | Oct 1 | ||
| Summer | Feb 1 |
In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, the following requirements represent the minimum acceptable standards for admission:
- Bachelor’s degree with a major, or equivalent, in English
- Three letters of recommendation addressing the student’s potential for graduate study in education
- Statement of intent
- Transcripts of all previous college work
Additionally, there are several tests that students must pass for admission to teacher preparation, admission to student teaching and licensure in Virginia. Students should consult the Teacher Preparation page on the School of Education website for current testing requirements. Admission to clinical experiences in schools requires a background check and fingerprinting.
Please visit the School of Education website for further information.
Degree requirements
In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students are required to complete course work in core and elective courses.
- Credit hour requirements: Students are required to complete a minimum of 33-34 credit hours depending on concentration.
- Grade requirements: Receipt of a grade of C or below in two courses constitutes automatic dismissal from the program. Courses with a grade below C cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements.
- Student teaching requirements: Students must successfully complete approved student teaching experience. Note: Students must complete all undergraduate courses before student teaching.
- Additional testing requirement: Students must pass Praxis II, where applicable, for licensure.
Curriculum requirements
Undergraduate courses
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying courses | ||
| EDUS 301 EDUS 301. Human Development and Learning. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. A study of human development through the life span with special emphasis on child and adolescent psychology, the nature of learning and basic concepts of learning theories. | Human Development and Learning | 3 |
| Admission to teacher preparation is a prerequisite for the following courses: | ||
| TEDU 311 TEDU 311. Middle School Practicum. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Corequisite: TEDU 537. Restricted to students admitted to the Extended Teacher Preparation Program. A field placement that precedes student teaching/internship. Includes planned observations, tutorials and small-group involvement. Graded pass/fail. | Middle School Practicum (secondary; must be taken concurrently with TEDU 537 TEDU 537. Inclusive Curriculum in Secondary Schools. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Studies the background and objectives of the contemporary secondary school; basic issues, current trends and practices in curriculum construction and instructional planning are examined with an emphasis on the inclusion of students with different abilities and disabilities. | 2 |
| TEDU 312 TEDU 312. High School Practicum. 1 Hour.
Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Pre- or corequisite: TEDU 311; corequisite: TEDU 540, 545, 547 or 548. Restricted to students admitted to the M.T. program with concentrations in secondary education. A field placement that precedes student teaching/internship. Includes planned observations, tutorials and small-group involvement. Course graded as pass/fail. | High School Practicum (English; must be taken concurrently with TEDU 548 TEDU 548. Teaching Secondary School English. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisites: EDUS 301 and admission to teacher preparation or permission of instructor. Studies teaching strategies, materials and objectives for literature, language and composition; developing and organizing English instruction; applying learning theory; examining evaluation strategies; questioning techniques; and classroom management. | 1 |
| TEDU 510 TEDU 510. Instructional Technology in PK-12 Environments. 2 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture hours (delivered online). 2 credits. Prerequisite: EDUS 301, PSYC 301 or PSYC 304 with a minimum grade of C. An introduction to effectively integrating technology into pK-12 instruction to improve student learning outcomes. Students will have hands-on experiences with a variety of current instructional technologies and learn how to integrate these technologies into their practice using research-driven theoretical frameworks. This online course models effective virtual teaching methods that can be utilized in hybrid and fully online environments. Students will design technology-rich instructional modules that can be utilized to improve student learning in their content areas, as well as develop personal learning networks that will continue to provide them with informal and independent learning opportunities well after the conclusion of the course. | Instructional Technology in PK-12 Environments | 2 |
Graduate courses
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses | ||
| EDUS 607 EDUS 607. Advanced Educational Psychology. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, hybrid or face-to-face). 3 credits. Application of the principles of psychology to the teaching-learning process. Discussion will focus on the comprehensive development of individual learning experiences and educational programs from the point of view of the PK-12 educator and administrator. | Advanced Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDUS 673 EDUS 673. Democracy, Equity and Ethics in Education. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. This course is designed to engage participants in a critical exploration of education issues and inequities within sociocultural, historical and philosophical contexts. Students will examine the relationship between an increasingly diverse society and democracy in education. The course will also develop strategies for participants to understand the ethical obligations of educational professionals and to become active agents for democratic, equity-oriented schools. | Democracy, Equity and Ethics in Education | 3 |
| ENED/ENGL 601 ENED 601. Young Adult Literature. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Examination of literature written for young adults, literature appropriate for young people in middle schools and high schools. Focuses on the content, characteristics and teaching of such literature. Crosslisted as: ENGL 601. | Young Adult Literature | 3 |
| TEDU 537 TEDU 537. Inclusive Curriculum in Secondary Schools. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Studies the background and objectives of the contemporary secondary school; basic issues, current trends and practices in curriculum construction and instructional planning are examined with an emphasis on the inclusion of students with different abilities and disabilities. | Inclusive Curriculum in Secondary Schools | 3 |
| TEDU 548 TEDU 548. Teaching Secondary School English. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisites: EDUS 301 and admission to teacher preparation or permission of instructor. Studies teaching strategies, materials and objectives for literature, language and composition; developing and organizing English instruction; applying learning theory; examining evaluation strategies; questioning techniques; and classroom management. | Teaching Secondary School English (fall only) | 3 |
| TEDU 552 TEDU 552. Methods for Teaching Multilingual Learners. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Provides students who plan to teach people whose native language is not English with a variety of instructional/learning strategies. Presents and explores current approaches and methodology, as these relate to linguistic features and pedagogy. Crosslisted as: ENGL 552/LING 552. | Methods for Teaching Multilingual Learners | 3 |
| TEDU 588 TEDU 588. Classroom Management. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Designed to assist teachers in becoming effective classroom managers. Emphasis on application of classroom management, motivational and instructional theories. Models of classroom management explored; personal management plans developed. | Classroom Management | 3 |
| Clinical experience (spring only) | ||
| TEDU 672 TEDU 672. Internship. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 4 hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisites: passing scores on Praxis II examination and Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment and permission of adviser. Study and integration of theory with practice in clinical or off-campus settings supervised by an approved professional and university faculty. May include seminars, selected readings, projects and other activities designed and evaluated by supervising faculty. | Internship | 4 |
| TEDU 674 TEDU 674. Internship II. 1-6 Hours.
Semester course; full time, eight weeks. 1-6 credits. Prerequisites: passing scores on Praxis II examination and Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment and permission of adviser. Study and integration of theory with practice in clinical or off-campus settings supervised by an approved professional and university faculty member. May include seminars, selected readings, projects and other activities designed and evaluated by supervising faculty. | Internship II | 5 |
| TEDU 681 TEDU 681. Investigations and Trends in Teaching. 1-3 Hours.
Semester course; 1-3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 1-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credits. A course designed to familiarize educational professionals with recent trends and developments in course content, strategies for organizing learning experiences and presenting material. Laboratory experience may be incorporated where appropriate. Students must contact their adviser for information regarding which section to register for based on their program. | Investigations and Trends in Teaching (must be taken concurrently with TEDU 672 TEDU 672. Internship. 4 Hours.
Semester course; 4 hours. 4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisites: passing scores on Praxis II examination and Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment and permission of adviser. Study and integration of theory with practice in clinical or off-campus settings supervised by an approved professional and university faculty. May include seminars, selected readings, projects and other activities designed and evaluated by supervising faculty. TEDU 674. Internship II. 1-6 Hours.
Semester course; full time, eight weeks. 1-6 credits. Prerequisites: passing scores on Praxis II examination and Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment and permission of adviser. Study and integration of theory with practice in clinical or off-campus settings supervised by an approved professional and university faculty member. May include seminars, selected readings, projects and other activities designed and evaluated by supervising faculty. | 3 |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 33.
The VCU Bulletin is the official source for academic course and program information.
The School of Education (SOE) degree programs that lead to professional licensure are designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for professional licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia as outlined by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). The SOE has determined that the curriculum includes applicable educational prerequisites for the following professional licensure(s) and/or certification(s) as outlined on this page of our website.