Teacher Licensure Pass Rates
Graduate Programs in Education
The Student-Teaching Experience
Catholic School Leadership (M.Ed.)
Catholic School Leadership (Graduate Certificate)
Elementary Education, PK-6 (M.Ed.)
Teaching Licensure Additional Endorsement
English as a Second Language, K-12 (M.Ed.)
Learning Disabilities, K-12 (M.Ed.)
Professional Studies (M.Ed.)
Secondary Education (M.A.)
Program Options
The mission of the Department of Education is to provide effective and affective educational leaders for global learning communities.
Marymount students, both undergraduate and graduate, are prepared to be:
Graduate programs leading to a Master of Education and initial licensure are: Catholic School Leadership (grades K-12), Elementary Education (grades PK-6); Secondary Education (grades 6-12 in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Space Science, English, History and Social Science, Mathematics, and Physics); English as a Second Language (grades K-12); and Learning Disabilities (grades K-12). The School also offers a nonlicensure program — the Master of Education in Professional Studies.
A licensure program leading to a Master of Arts in School Counseling (elementary, middle, or secondary) is also available through the Department of Counseling. Information about the School Counseling program can be found here.
Students seeking teaching licensure reserve one semester for the student-teaching experience. Student teaching is the culmination of the Marymount teacher-education program and reflects the degree to which a student will be effective as a classroom teacher. Complete information about application procedures for student teaching can be found here.
All Marymount University teacher education programs are approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Virginia Department of Education. Program requirements are subject to revision based on changes in the Commonwealth of Virginia licensure requirements. More than 30 states share reciprocity with Virginia.
In October 1998, the U.S. Congress enacted amendments to the Higher Education Act (HEA). As amended, Title II of the HEA addressed the issue of the quality of teacher preparation by including new accountability measures including reporting requirements for institutions and states on teacher preparation and licensing. As required by the Act, the results of those who completed the Marymount University Education program during the 2005-06 academic year (graduated in December 2005, spring 2006, and summer 2006) are listed here.
Admission Requirements for Degree Programs: Formal application for admission to the teacher education programs is required. In addition to the Universitywide graduate admission requirements, applicants to the M.Ed. program must fulfill the following to be considered for acceptance:
NOTE: All scores should reflect testing within the last five years or be subject to review by the Graduate Admissions Committee. Applicants who have previously completed admission requirements and hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution need not take the required MAT or GRE admissions exams.
Academic Progression Requirements: Education students must achieve satisfactory progress each semester. Failure to meet requirements for progression to any course or portion of the program will result in review by the Teacher Education Committee and may result in dismissal from the program.
Legal Limitations of Practice: The practice of teaching is regulated by state laws. Questions concerning licensure in a specific state should be directed to that state’s Board of Education. Students may be required to submit a national criminal background check before being placed as a student-teacher. The cost of the investigation (approximately $50) may be borne by the student.
Program Completion Requirements: The Education programs require completion of all methods coursework and a presentation of a professional portfolio. A successful student-teaching experience as well as passing scores on all licensure examinations required by the Virginia Department of Education are also necessary for all licensure programs.
The University does not accept credit on standardized tests such as the CLEP toward graduate coursework required for any graduate Education program. (CLEP or standardized test credits may be accepted for undergraduate coursework needed for licensure requirements.)
Upon completion of all licensure requirements, students submit an Application for Initial Virginia Licensure to the School of Education and Human Services and are recommended by the faculty to the Commonwealth of Virginia for endorsement.
NOTE: Once admitted to a master’s program, a maximum of five years is allowed for completion.
Students seeking licensure complete their studies with a student-teaching experience.
Students register for student teaching through Marymount University regardless of the geographic location of the placement site.
Student-teachers are supervised by a faculty member in the School of Education and Human Services and by an on-site cooperating teacher. Students should consult the Marymount University Student-Teaching Handbook for full information on student teaching.
Placement is available in public schools in the greater Washington metropolitan area, the Diocese of Arlington, the Archdiocese of Washington, and in accredited private schools. Placement is made in conjunction with the local school districts and no particular placement can be guaranteed. Transportation to and from the cooperating school is the responsibility of the student. If student teaching out of the local area is necessary, the student must meet the written requirements available from the coordinator of Clinical Experiences. While student teaching, all students assume the role of guest in the host school and must abide by the policies and regulations of the host school.
Placement for student teaching is dependent upon the School’s and faculty’s judgment regarding the student’s performance in both coursework and field placement.
Applications for student teaching must be received by the Office of Clinical Experiences by September 15 for spring student teaching and by February 1 for fall student teaching. Information and directions for application completion are available in the School of Education and Human Services and in the Office of Clinical Experiences.
Applying for Student Teaching: To be considered for placement, a student must fulfill the following requirements:
This program is designed to provide aspiring Catholic school administrators with the Catholic values and perspectives essential to fostering Catholic unity and identity within a school community. In addition to developing competencies in educational leadership, the program focuses on the Church’s history, teaching, and moral perspectives while encouraging participants’ own faith and spiritual growth. A unique feature of the program is that most of the courses are offered online.
Students in the Catholic School Leadership program may complete an internship, and should contact the program director for instructions on applying for the internship.
Students who complete the program, including an internship, and satisfactorily pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) test are eligible for Virginia endorsement in Administration and Supervision (PK-12).
36 credits
Candidates with previous graduate coursework may earn this certificate by completing an individualized program of study with a minimum of 15 credits. This is a nonlicensure program. See the Master of Education in Catholic School Leadership program for a list of available courses.
This program is designed for those who have a strong liberal arts undergraduate or graduate degree and who wish to earn licensure to teach in the elementary setting (grades PK-6). For Virginia licensure, individuals must provide evidence of a wide range of general studies competencies in undergraduate coursework and a course in human growth and development.
39 credits
Many courses require field experience. See course descriptions for details.
(ED 502 and ED 503 are required as the first courses in this program, as they provide the foundation for all other courses.)
Students in the English as a Second Language or Learning Disabilities programs who seek the add-on endorsement in Elementary Education must complete all PK-6 general studies requirements for licensure and the following Professional Studies courses:
Students in the English as a Second Language program
Students in the Learning Disabilities program
The English as a Second Language (ESL) program is designed for those who wish to teach students in grades K-12 who are learning English as a second language. Six credits of a modern foreign language and a course in human growth and development are required for licensure in addition to the graduate program requirements. This program is designed to meet initial licensure requirements in Virginia for teaching ESL in grades K-12.
Additional Endorsement Option: An additional endorsement in Elementary Education is available for students in this program. See information on “Teaching Licensure Additional Endorsement” under English as a Second Language on this page for requirements.
39 credits
Many courses require field experience. See course descriptions for details.
(ED 502 and ED 503 are required as the first courses in this program, as they provide the foundation for all other courses.)
This program is designed for those who wish to earn licensure and teach children with learning disabilities in grades K-12. Three credit hours in human growth and development are required for licensure in addition to the graduate program requirements.
Additional Endorsement Options: An additional endorsement in Emotional Disturbance is available to students in this program. Students must complete ED 512A Strategies for Teaching Students with Emotional Disturbances and CE 515 Techniques for Behavioral Diagnosis and Intervention.
An additional endorsement in Elementary Education is also available to students in this program. See information under “Teaching Licensure Additional Endorsement” in Elementary Education (PK-6) for requirements.
39 credits
Many courses require field experience. See course descriptions for details.
(ED 502 and ED 503 are required as the first courses in this program, as they provide the foundation for all other courses.)
This program is designed for those students who are not seeking a Virginia teaching license. Students in this program may be practicing teachers, education professionals who are not working in a classroom setting, or students who intend to teach in international or private schools. Along with completing a core of professional courses intended to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions basic to the field of education, students will complete an emphasis area and professional project designed to meet the individual needs, interests, and goals of the student.
(Students with an undergraduate education equivalent may waive the content of ED 502 and ED 503 and replace with additional elective hours.)
36 credits
21 credit hours from:
One of three professional emphasis areas must also be selected and 15 credits chosen from the following 3-credit classes:
Teaching and LearningESOL and International
This program is designed for persons who already have a B.A. or B.S. in any of the following content areas: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Space Science, English, General Science, Mathematics, Physics, or Social Studies.
In order to maintain currency in the content area, students seeking a teaching license at the secondary level (grades 6-12) must have satisfactorily completed a course in their licensure endorsement area within five years prior to applying for a Virginia teaching license through Marymount.
39 credits
Many courses require field experience. See course descriptions for details.
(ED 502 and ED 503 are required as the first courses in this program, as they provide the foundation for all other courses.)
*Students in the Secondary Education program who are solely interested in licensure may apply for a Virginia teaching license after successfully completing all of these courses.
Offered by the Counseling Department, this program prepares students for licensure as school counselors at elementary, middle, and high school levels. A Master of Arts degree is awarded upon completion of the required graduate credits. See the Counseling section for more information.
Through Fairfax County Public Schools and Arlington Public Schools, Marymount offers Professional Development School programs. These partnerships are collaborative licensure programs, and are available to selected M.Ed. candidates. Interns spend a full academic year in an elementary school. Students may elect to complete initial licensure for the Elementary Education (PK-6) program, the Learning Disabilities (K-12) program, or a dual Learning Disabilities/Elementary Education (PK-6) program. All field and clinical experiences, as well as student teaching, are supervised and take place at the schools.
Marymount University teacher candidates may apply to our International Student Teaching program. Candidates have the opportunity to student teach in a variety of English-speaking schools, including Marymount International Schools in Paris, London, and Rome. Qualified on-site and University supervisors observe and evaluate the candidates. Seven weeks of student teaching in Washington area schools is required prior to student teaching in an international setting. Tuition for the international experience remains the same. Candidates are responsible for transportation and housing expenses.
Opportunities for graduate students to work in year-long internships are also available with Falls Church City Schools and The Potomac School in McLean, Virginia. Contact an academic advisor or the Office of Graduate Admissions for further information.