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.)
Professional Studies (M.Ed.)
Secondary Education (M.A.)
Special Education, General Curriculum, K-12 (M.Ed.)
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 teaching licensure in Virginia are 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 Special Education, General Curriculum (grades K-12). The Catholic School Leadership program offers an add-on endorsement for Virginia licensure in Administration and Supervision (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.
The goal of all Marymount University Education programs is to prepare students for a variety of educational positions in PK-12 school settings. The Education Department believes that becoming an educator who embodies the characteristics of a “critical thinker,” “effective practitioner,”and “caring professional” requires many things, including solid academic knowledge, up-to-date teaching skills, ethical behavior, professional demeanor, and appropriate personal characteristics.
Each semester, the Education faculty meets to evaluate all students’ academic progress and professional development. The Education faculty consider not only academic performance, but also personal characteristics, such as maturity, judgment, emotional stability, sensitivity to others, and self-awareness, that affect one’s ability to be a teacher or administrator. If the faculty identifies a problem during the periodic review or evidence of personal difficulty that has the potential to negatively affect the student’s capacity to function as a future teacher or administrator, the student will first be required to meet with his or her advisor. If needed, the student may be referred to the School of Education and Human Services’ Teacher Education Committee. Failure to meet academic and professional standards may result in dismissal from the Marymount University Education program. If the faculty identifies an outstanding candidate during the periodic review, the faculty may decide to send a letter of commendation to the student to recognize outstanding achievement.
Admission Requirements for Degree Programs: Formal application for admission to the teacher education program 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:
Praxis I - Passing Score*
Mathematics - 178
Reading - 178
Writing - 176
*or a composite score of 532 (Applicants who have an aggregated Praxis I score between 527 and 531 may appeal to the Graduate Admissions Committee and ask to be considered for admission through remediation. The appeal must be in writing by the student to the Education Department chair at least 45 days prior to the start of a new semester. Admission through remediation is not automatic and a prospective student’s entire academic profile will be considered. Remediation may involve — but not be limited to — tutoring, coursework, or workshop attendance.)
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 in field experiences or 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 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 must apply for student teaching at the beginning of the semester prior to their anticipated 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 and must have approval from the chair of the Education Department. 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 October 15 for spring student teaching and by April 30 for fall student teaching. All licensure exams (Praxis II, VRA, and VCLA) must be passed before submitting an application. Please note that when applying for fall semester student-teaching placements, the last test dates for the Praxis II, VRA, and VCLA are in March. When applying for spring student-teaching placements, the last test dates are in September. Please see an advisor for exact dates. 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: In order to register for student teaching, 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 are required to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) during their second year. Students who complete the program, including the internship, and pass the SLLA are eligible for Virginia endorsement in Administration and Supervision (PK-12).
Degree Requirements
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.
The M.Ed. in Elementary Education is available at Marymount’s Arlington locations with classes held on the Main Campus and some classes offered at the Ballston Center. The program is also available through Marymount’s Reston Center, which offers a weekend cohort format, and through Marymount’s Professional Development Schools (PDS) partnership with Arlington and Fairfax county public schools.
Degree 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.)
Students in the English as a Second Language or Special Education 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 Special Education 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.
Degree 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.
Degree Requirements
(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 Learning
Exceptional Populations
ESOL 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, History and Social Science, Mathematics, or Physics.
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.
The M.Ed. in Secondary Education is available at Marymount’s Arlington locations with classes held on the Main Campus and some offered at the Ballston Center. The program is also available in a weekend cohort format through Marymount’s Reston Center.
Degree 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.)
*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.
This program is designed for those who wish to earn licensure and teach children with special education needs in a K-12 classroom setting. Three credit hours in human growth and development are required for licensure in addition to the graduate program requirements.
The M.Ed. in Special Education, General Curriculum, is available at Marymount’s Arlington locations with classes held on the Main Campus and some classes offered at the Ballston Center. The program is also available through Marymount’s Professional Development Schools (PDS) partnership with Arlington and Fairfax county public schools.
Additional Endorsement Options: An additional endorsement in Elementary Education is available to students in this program. See information under “Teaching Licensure Additional Endorsement” in Elementary Education (PK-6) for requirements.
Degree Requirements
39 credits
Many courses require field experience. See course descriptions for details.
(ED 509 and ED 503 are required as the first courses in this program, as they provide the foundation for all other courses.)
*A course in Human Growth and Development for Kindergarten-age students through adolescents is required before enrolling in ED 509.
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 Special Education, General Curriculum (K-12) program; or a dual specialization in Special Education/Elementary Education (PK-6). 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; however, there may be additional supervising and/or mentorship fees. Candidates are responsible for transportation and housing expenses.
Opportunities for graduate students to work in year-long internships are also available with The Potomac School in McLean, Virginia. Contact an academic advisor or the Office of Graduate Admissions for further information.