Professional Development Programs Overview
TAKE YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL
The Virginia Tech School of Education offers state-approved programs leading to master's or educational specialist degrees for practicing educators in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Expand and redefine the boundaries of your career with additonal an license or endorsement as well as a master's (M.A.Ed. or M.S.) or an educational specialist (Ed.S.) degree!
As an educator practicing in the Commonwealth of Virginia, you may be eligible for a 25% discount on your tuition!
INTERACTIVE, INNOVATIVE, INSTRUCTION
We deliver high-quality, interactive, in-person and online courses for working professionals; see the descriptions below to see where your program of interest is offered. Our innovative approach to instruction, whether online or in-person helps students focus deeply on their coursework, while managing the demands of life and work
RELEVANT, RESEARCH-BASED PROGRAMS
As a student in our professional development programs, you will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to transform teaching and learning, conduct groundbreaking research, and lead learning communities within and beyond your school and district. Reimagining the future of education begins with instructional leaders who put educational excellence, innovation, and equity at the fore.
Options for Practicing Educators
If you are a provisionally licensed CTE educator in Virginia, you will need to complete your testing and professional studies coursework within three (3) years of beginning your employment
If you are a licensed and practicing educator who seeks to add to your teaching specialties or to pursue a leadership position in education, consider one of our Professional Development licensure or endorsement M.A.Ed. or Ed.S. programs.
The Career and Technical Education Program (CTE) at Virginia Tech offers instruction leading to an M.S. and to certification for provisionally licensed CTE teachers. For currently licensed and practicing CTE teachers, the program offers both M.S. and Ed.S. degrees.
The specialties we support are:
- Agricultural Education
- Business and Information Technology (formerly called Business Education)
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Health and Medical Sciences
- Marketing Education
- Trade and Industrial Education
All instruction is provided online. Please contact Dr. Natalie Ferand (nferand@vt.edu) with questions regarding the CTE Programs.
The Integrative STEM Education Program at Virginia Tech is designed to develop 21st century K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) educators and leaders prepared to investigate, teach, and disseminate new integrative approaches to STEM education. Our focus on implementation and investigation of new integrative technological/engineering design-based teaching and learning practices for STEM education uniquely sets us apart from other STEM programs.
We offer all of our program degrees and the graduate certificate both on our Blacksburg campus and online.
Please contact Dr. John Wells (jgwells@vt.edu) with questions regarding the Integrative STEM Education Program.
ITMA, the Instructional Technology Online Master's Degree Program is designed to meet the needs of professional educators in K-12 schools, community colleges, and higher education, as well as corporate trainers and other instructional development professionals outside of the academic realm. The focus of the program is on the creation of effective solutions to support learning and improved performance. Individual professional experiences are highly valued and will form the basis for most of the projects developed throughout the program.
ITMA is a rigorous graduate program offering an M.A.Ed. (for those who do not yet have a master's degree) or an Ed.S. (for those who already have a master's degree), designed to prepare you to be a professional instructional technologist. As a graduate of the Virginia Tech Instructional Technology Program, you will enjoy the respect and opportunities afforded by completing one of the finest Instructional Technology programs in the country. Students successfully completing this program will earn an M.A.Ed. or Ed.S. in Curriculum & Instruction with a specialization in Instructional Design & Technology.
The Reading Specialist Program is a state-approved Curriculum & Instruction offering, leading to the Reading Specialist endorsement in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Students receive either a Master's (M.A.Ed.) or an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree along with the reading specialist endorsement. Our program prepares experienced teachers to earn the additional Reading Specialist endorsement in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This K-12 endorsement enables successful candidates to take positions in elementary, middle, or high schools across the state.
The Ed.S. and M.A.Ed. programs are both offered online.
There are steps that you'll need to complete as you move towards your goal of expanding your career as an educator in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As you come close to the completion of your studies, you'll need to apply for your endorsement in your discipline. Please see the Virginia Department of Education for information on requesting an endorsement to your teacher license.