Teacher Preparation and Education
Expanding Excellence in Education, we are dedicated to preparing exceptional, equity-focused educators. Our Teacher Preparation programs are designed for you to begin your career quickly and to maximize your earning potential. For many programs, in a single academic year, you can earn both your M.A.Ed. or M.S. and your Virginia teaching licensure, starting your teaching career at the higher Master's degree pay scales. Degree requirements differ for each discipline.
Already a teacher? Expand your professional expertise through our graduate degree programs and graduate certificate or professional development certificate (Ed.S.) programs.
Looking to be part of the future of education? Earn your Ed.D. or Ph.D. and expand education's possibilities, cultivating innovation and excellence in tomorrow's education landscape.
Most of our M.A.Ed. and M.S. Teacher Preparation and Licensure programs are offered at our Blacksburg campus, as are our Ed.D. and Ph.D. programs. We also offer select programs at our Roanoke campus, at our extended campus locations, and online.
Currently an undergraduate? We offer Pathways courses for you to start learning about this profession. Our Teacher Preparation and Education programs are approved Virginia Tech Approved Accelerated UG/GR Programs. This means that you can start your studies in education during your senior year, and in one additional academic year for most programs, you can earn both a Master's degree and your Virginia teaching licensure, allowing you to start your career at a higher pay scale.
Teacher Education and Education Specialist Programs
The Career and Technical Education Program (CTE) at Virginia Tech prepares teachers, primarily in Agricultural Education, leading to an M.S. degree and initial Virginia Licensure.
The M.S. initial licensure program is offered on the Blacksburg campus only. The programs offered for educators already teaching in the field (provisionally certified teachers and those pursuing professional development) are offered online only.
Powerful teaching results from the interplay of in-depth knowledge of, an inquiry into, and reflection upon: (a) children and child development, (b) teaching and learning processes in general and in specific content areas, and (c) the children themselves and the contexts of their lives at home and at school. The Elementary Education Program is designed to support the development of a strong knowledge base across all of these areas. This is a full-time program offered on the Blacksburg campus, that can be completed in 14 months or less. During the program, you will complete all requirements for licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as those for a master’s degree in education.
We offer our Elementary Education teacher preparation/initial licensure, M.A.Ed., and our Ed.D. and Ph.D. programs on our Blacksburg campus. The Ed.D. and Ph.D. students are subject to residential requirements as set forth by the Virginia Tech Graduate School. Graduate research and teaching assistantships are available for our doctoral students.
The English Education Programs at Virginia Tech meld traditional issues of teaching writing, language and literature with newly emerging practices and research in adolescent literacy, new literacies, multimodal technologies and teaching and learning in 21st century classrooms.
The teacher preparation program is CAEP approved and meets the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) guidelines. The Virginia Tech licensure program has reciprocity with 35+ states and/or territories.
We offer our English teacher preparation/initial licensure, M.A.Ed., and our Ph.D. programs on our Blacksburg campus. Ph.D. students are subject to residential requirements as set forth by the Virginia Tech Graduate School. Graduate research and teaching assistantships are available for our doctoral students.
The Reading Specialist Program is a state-approved Master's of Education degree 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 at the Blacksburg campus. The M.A.Ed. is also offered at the Southwest Virginia campus.
The History and Social Science Education Program is designed to prepare reflective teachers who are ready, willing, and able to facilitate the type of systematic critical literacy work that is a vital part of preparing 21st century citizens to become thoughtful and insightful readers of the word and the world, both past and present. Students enjoy close study with our faculty and are provided with experiential experiences that allow them to develop and practice teaching skills.
We offer our History and Social Science teacher preparation/initial licensure, M.A.Ed., and our Ph.D. programs on our Blacksburg campus. Ph.D. students are subject to residential requirements as set forth by the Virginia Tech Graduate School. Graduate research and teaching assistantships are available for our doctoral students.
The Mathematics Education Program at Virginia Tech unites faculty and students from the Mathematics Department and School of Education. Our research focuses on understanding how students learn mathematics, which informs curriculum design, teaching practices, and assessment instruments. We seek to establish equitable learning environments that take advantage of current research and technology. The Ph.D. program prepares graduates to become leaders in mathematics education research and education.
We offer our Mathematics teacher preparation/initial licensure and our Ph.D. programs on our Blacksburg campus. Ph.D. students are subject to residential requirements as set forth by the Virginia Tech Graduate School. Graduate research and teaching assistantships are available for our doctoral students.
The Mathematics Specialist Program offered to currently licensed K-8 teachers who would like to expand their knowledge and offerings in Mathematics Education. The program is a cohort program focusing on mathematics education leadership and mathematics content specific to grades K-8.
The Mathematics Specialist Program leads to a Master's of Education Degree (M.A.Ed.) or Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S.). These programs are currently offered on our Roanoke campus.
For information on the Algebra Add-on Endorsement, please contact Dr. Jay Wilkins.
The Mathematics Education B.S./M.A.Ed. option is a five-year program that leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a Master of Arts in Education degree. The program is designed to prepare future teachers of mathematics in secondary grades 6-12. The program is open to all students admitted to the Department of Mathematics.
The M.S. Mathematics Education Option is an interdisciplinary degree through the Department of Mathematics, designed to be completed in two years. It is intended for students who have both an interest in mathematics education research and a desire to gain fluency in advanced mathematics.
The Mathematics Education Option doctoral program is a multidisciplinary doctoral degree through the Department of Mathematics. The Education Option differs from a traditional Mathematics Ph.D. with its focus on mathematics education research. It differs from the School of Education's Mathematics Education Program which includes advanced mathematics fluency requirements.
Ph.D. students are subject to residential requirements as set forth by the Virginia Tech Graduate School. Graduate research and teaching assistantships are available for our doctoral students. All programs are offered on our Blacksburg campus.
The Music Education Program faculty strive to identify and recruit talented and knowledgeable choral or instrumental teacher candidates, especially from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. We provide students with a variety of field experiences and other simulations that allow them to develop and practice teaching skills with a close focus on practices that support learning for diverse music students.
We offer our Music Education teacher preparation initial licensure M.A.Ed. program on our Blacksburg campus.
The Science Education Program is designed to prepare science educators for teaching science through inquiry processes where students apply their knowledge in real world contexts. Teachers also learn how to facilitate the development of learning environments that motivate and inspire students from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Our science education program is dedicated to preparing scientifically and technologically literate students who can make positive contributions in the world.
The Science Education Program offers an M.A.Ed. program for initial licensure in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science at our Blacksburg campus. Our M.A.Ed. for current and provisionally licensed teachers is offered online. Our Science Education Ph.D. program is offered at our Blacksburg campus. Ph.D. students are subject to residential requirements as set forth by the Virginia Tech Graduate School. Graduate research and teaching assistantships are available for our doctoral students.