Students seeking licensure to teach in elementary or middle school complete a B.A. degree in Interdisciplinary English, Interdisciplinary Mathematics, or Interdisciplinary History and Social Sciences. Students seeking licensure to teach at the secondary level should select the appropriate bachelor’s degree track in the major they wish to pursue. Requirements in Professional Studies constitute the contextual and support area for teacher preparation students. For details about each program, consult the faculty advisors in the Neff Center for Teacher Education.
Teacher preparation programs at Emory & Henry are based on the conviction that a broad liberal arts background, a strong program of study in an academic discipline, and a rigorous but minimal set of professional experiences constitute the proper undergraduate education for a teacher.
The Department of Education is a component of the William N. Neff Center for Teacher Education. The center and the department work with academic departments of the college to provide programs leading to licensure at the elementary, middle school and secondary school levels.
Students interested in teaching licensure must:
- Contact the Director of the Neff Center to indicate interest.
- Complete and file with the Registrar the appropriate form indicating their area of interest for teacher preparation.
- Verify each semester’s schedule with an advisor in the Education Department, since graduation and licensure requirements are not always the same.
- Meet all degree and licensure requirements.
- Complete student teaching successfully. Completion does not guarantee recommendation for licensure. Apply through the Neff Center for Virginia teaching licensure.
Admissions Requirements: A GPA of 2.5 overall and 2.75 in the major, successful program interview, passing scores on the Praxis I Math subtest or Virginia Department Of Education approved alternatives, Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment, Reading for Virginia Educators (required for PK-3, PK- 6 and Special Education - General Curriculum K-12 only) and the appropriate Praxis II subject area assessment are required for admission into Emory & Henry Teacher Preparation Programs.
Required Assessments: Students interested in teacher preparation must take the Praxis I Math subtest during the same semester in which they take EDUC 114. Reading for Virginia Educators must be taken at the end of the semester in which students take EDUC 410/549E. The Praxis II subject area test should be taken after all course requirements in the student’s major are completed.
Students are responsible for all testing fees.
For detailed information on admission and retention procedures and course requirements, consult the Neff Center for Teacher Education. Emory & Henry’s teacher preparation programs are accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council nationally and by the Commonwealth of Virginia, meet standards of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, and qualify for interstate acceptance under the terms of the Interstate Licensure Contracts.
The college provides approved programs in these areas:
(1) elementary (PK-3, PK-6), elementary and middle school (PK-6, 6-8), all centered around a major in Interdisciplinary English, Interdisciplinary Mathematics, or Interdisciplinary History and Social Sciences; (2) secondary licensure in the following subjects for grades indicated:
Art PK-12
Biology 6-12
Business Education 6-12
Chemistry 6-12
Earth Science 6-12
English, English and Journalism, English and Theatre, English and Speech 6-12 French PK-12
Geography 6-12
History and Social Sciences 6-12
Mathematics 6-12
Music - Choral/Vocal PK-12
Music - Instrumental PK-12
Physical Education PK-12
Physics 6-12
Spanish PK-12
Courses are also available for add-on endorsements in other areas, including driver education and English as a Second Language. Students interested in teaching but not enrolled in an approved program should consult the Director of the Neff Center for Teacher Education.
VIRGINIA LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
The requirements of all Emory & Henry University Virginia-approved teacher education programs meet or exceed the Virginia licensure requirements which were in effect at the time the programs were approved. From time to time, the Virginia Board of Education and/or the Virginia General Assembly make substantive changes in these requirements and set deadlines for their implementation. Students enrolled in Emory & Henry University teacher preparation programs will be required to meet the current standards for licensure, even if these requirements are not reflected in the college catalog under which the student entered.
Common licensure requirements for interdisciplinary programs
Licensure options share many common objectives and course requirements. Academic work is centered around a major in Interdisciplinary English, Interdisciplinary Mathematics, or Interdisciplinary History and Social Sciences. To complete all requirements in four years, a student should choose core courses carefully, selecting those that meet both core requirements and teacher preparation requirements. It is also important to pay particular attention to sequential courses and courses that are taught only in fall semesters or only in spring semesters.
All students interested in teacher preparation should register with the Neff Center for Teacher Education during the first year or sophomore year in addition to the relevant academic department.
Objective: To provide prospective teachers with significant professional development at the master's level.
Five-Year Program Bachelor's Degree and Master of Education Degree
Students may select a Five-Year Program leading to the appropriate bachelor's degree and a professional studies master of education degree. This option provides more subject area content for teacher preparation students at the undergraduate level and significant professional preparation in the fifth year. Students may also select a special education option that meets the endorsement requirements for special education - general curriculum K-12. Students must complete 33 graduate semester hours to receive the master's degree.
Interested E&H undergraduate students should apply to enroll in the five-year teacher preparation program before taking EDUC 300 level and above courses. In addition, all other undergraduate program requirements must be completed. Students accepted into the Five-Year program should complete EDUC 505, EDUC 524, and either 549E (Elementary) or 549S (Secondary) in their senior year, which will count no more than nine credit hours toward the graduate degree. Students should consult the Director of the Teacher Preparation Program or M.Ed. Program Director.
Students Coming to Emory & Henry College with a Bachelor's Degree (Fast Track M.Ed.): A person holding a bachelor's degree may be eligible to apply to the Professional Studies Master's Degree Program. Students should consult the Director of the Teacher Preparation Program or M.Ed. Program Director.
Requirements for Admission (M.Ed. Program)
Admission to the Master of Education degree program requires a completed application; official transcript(s) from an undergraduate institution(s) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.0 in the major; submissions of a writing sample of high quality; review by an admissions committee; and a passing score on Praxis I Math (or exemption). Prospective graduate students are required to provide two recommendations from individuals familiar with their work, submit a completed application for graduate admission, and provide official copies of the required professional assessments they have completed.
Any undergraduate work required for Virginia Board of Education licensure will also be required, including an additional reading course for middle school licensure. Before any student may enter the professional semester, s/he must have passed all required assessments including Praxis II and RVE (elementary and special education only).
Professional Semester
Supervised clinical teaching is required of students for teacher licensure. The student is expected to devote full time to this activity, taking only the required 15 semester hours of the professional semester; ten in supervised teaching along with the seminar in teaching and the appropriate methods course. Jobs and extracurricular activities should be avoided.
Student teaching requires a full semester of actual classroom experience under supervision-including observation, participation, responsible teaching, and conferences. All travel and personal expenses are the responsibility of the student. Prerequisites: overall GPA of at least 3.0, and 3.0 in major subject field at Emory & Henry, successful Program Interview, and admission to the teacher preparation program, including passing of Praxis I Math test or Virginia Department of Education approved alternatives, Praxis II and Reading Praxis for Virginia Educator, if required for licensure. Student Teaching is the senior project for teacher preparation, but individual departments may have additional senior project requirements. Students who enter the M.Ed. program with a baccalaureate degree do not complete a senior project in their major area.