Education

Marymount University’s professional programs leading to teaching licensure are dedicated to the mission "Preparing Education Leaders for Diverse Learning Communities." The three tenets comprising the conceptual framework model that synergistically interact include critical thinker, effective practitioner, and caring professional. Knowledge of content, human growth and development, and pedagogy, along with current research and learning theory, provide the foundation for Marymount’s professional programs. All courses and experiences are designed to achieve this mission.

Upon successful completion of the teacher education program, students will be able to

• demonstrate knowledge of learner development, learning differences, and learning environments to help all learners meet high standards and reach their full potential;
• demonstrate a deep understanding of content and the ability to draw upon content knowledge to support learners in accessing information and applying information in real world settings to assure mastery of content;
• plan for and implement a variety of instructional strategies and assessments in coordinated and engaging ways; and
• demonstrate leadership and collaboration by modeling ethical behavior and professional responsibility resulting in the highest levels of learner achievement.

Through a variety of programs, Marymount undergraduate students may earn Virginia licensure in elementary, secondary, and special education. Undergraduates major in an appropriate liberal arts or science discipline and complete their teacher licensure program requirements as outlined. All programs are designed to prepare graduates to enter the job market as beginning professionals in their respective fields.

Students seeking teaching licensure reserve one semester for the student-teaching experience. This experience is a 14-week, full-time placement. 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. See complete information about application procedures.

All Marymount University teacher education programs are approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Virginia Department of Education, and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Program requirements are subject to revision based upon changes in the licensure requirements set forth by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Periodic Progress Review

Each semester, the education faculty meets to evaluate all students’ academic progress and professional dispositions. 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.

Undergraduate Programs in Education

Admission Requirements: In addition to universitywide admission requirements, applicants to the undergraduate teaching licensure programs must fulfill the following to be considered for acceptance into the program:

• notify their major advisor of intent to pursue licensure during the student's freshman or sophomore year;
• complete ED 200 Foundations of Teaching and Learning during the student's sophomore year with a grade of C or better;
• have a minimum of 2.5 GPA overall;
• have a minimum of 3.0 GPA in the major for secondary programs;
• submit an application for the teacher licensure program upon completion of ED 200;
• submit two references;
• submit an essay on a provided topic;
• submit a résumé; and
• present passing scores, as set by the Virginia Department of Education, for
  • Praxis I Core Mathematics only (Praxis I Core Mathematics exam may be waived with sufficient composite SAT/ACT score. See an academic advisor for further information.)
  • Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) (Passing scores are required in both reading and writing sections or composite score.)

No more than 6 education credits may be taken prior to acceptance into the teacher licensure program. Refer to the Undergraduate Teacher Candidate Handbook, available through the School of Education and Human Services, for further information.

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 must be paid by the student.

Minimum Grade Requirements: For successful program completion, a minimum grade of C is necessary in all required professional studies (education) courses.

Transfer Policy: Transfer students must be enrolled in ED 200 before applying to the program.

Teaching Licensure Programs: The program of studies for each teaching licensure program is described in the major discipline section of this catalog. Students in the following programs will fulfill the curriculum requirements of the respective discipline — earning a degree in that field — and completing all professional studies requirements needed for Virginia licensure, including field experience and student teaching:

Art with K-12 Teaching Licensure (B.A. in art) — See art under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

Biology with Secondary-Level (grades 6-12) Teaching Licensure (B.S. in biology) — See biology under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

Elementary Education (grades PK-6) Licensure (B.A. in multidisciplinary studies) — See multidisciplinary studies under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

English with Secondary-Level (grades 6-12) Teaching Licensure (B.A. in English) — See English under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

History/Social Science with Secondary-Level (grades 6-12) Teaching Licensure (B.A. in history) — See history under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

Mathematics with Secondary-Level (grades 6-12) Teaching Licensure (B.S. in mathematics) — See mathematics under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

Special Education: General Curriculum, K-12 Teaching Licensure (B.A. in multidisciplinary studies) — See multidisciplinary studies under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

The Student-Teaching Experience

Individuals seeking licensure complete their program with a student-teaching experience. Students must pass all required licensure exams before applying to student teach. After that, students 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 university supervisor 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 our Educational Clinical Experiences (ECE) office and no particular placement can be guaranteed. Transportation to and from the cooperating school is the responsibility of the student. 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 placements.

Deadlines are set annually for student teaching applications. Contact the Educational Clinical Experiences Office for exact deadlines. Passing scores must be attained for the Praxis II, Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), and Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) licensure exams before submitting an application. Please see an advisor for the required exams needed for a licensure area. Information and directions for application completion are available online and in the Educational Clinical Experiences Office.

Student Teaching Abroad

Students who would like to student teach abroad must contact the clinical experiences coordinator two semesters before they will apply to student teach. Placements are currently available in Europe, South America, and New Zealand for seven (7) of the required 14 weeks. Tuition for student teaching abroad remains the same; however, student teachers are responsible for their own transportation, housing expenses, and any additional program fees.

Applying for Student Teaching

To be considered for placement, a student must fulfill the following requirements:

• gain full admission into the teacher licensure program;
• submit a student-teaching application packet (see deadlines previously noted);
• submit passing scores on the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA);
• submit passing scores on the Praxis II exam (Specialty Area Test for secondary education and art education students; Content Knowledge for elementary education students);
• submit passing scores on the Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) exam (for elementary education and special education students);
• complete all licensure and professional studies requirements;
• earn a minimum 2.5 GPA overall;
• earn a minimum of 3.0 GPA in the major for secondary programs;
• earn a minimum 3.0 GPA in professional studies courses;
• gain the approval of the Undergraduate Teacher Licensure Advisory Board (UTLAB); and
• be endorsed by an education department faculty member to student teach based upon ability and dispositions.

Prior to beginning the student teaching placements, student teachers must clear a criminal background check as required by the local school division and must submit verification of current health insurance.