Curriculum and Instruction, MEd

Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning (ASTL)

The ASTL concentrations are for teachers and other educators with one or more years of teaching or education-related experience who want to continue to grow professionally. The program offers advanced study in a specific concentration area, including Virginia’s Standards of Learning content areas, cohort classes, an innovative schedule, and the use of technology. The courses, aligned with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, help teachers think and practice as board-certified teachers. The program develops teacher-leaders who practice reflection through action- research, problem-based learning, and self-inquiry, and teacher expertise in a concentration that will identify the teacher as a potential leader in that area.

The program provides two options to experienced teachers and other educators. Educators with or without a master’s degree may apply for the full master’s degree program, which includes core and emphases, or an 18- to 21-credit graduate certificate program or advanced study in a particular area.

▲Concentration in ASTL: Advanced International Baccalaureate (AIB)

This 18-credit International Baccalaureate(IB) concentration provides advanced professional development for teachers on the philosophy, elements, and assessments of the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The course work focuses on the theory, pedagogy, and research under girding the International Baccalaureate programs.

▲Concentration in ASTL: Alternative Education (AALT)

The 18-credit alternative education concentration provides advanced professional development for practicing teachers who work in programs for students who are at risk of dropping out of school, have significant life challenges, or have been suspended. Completion of the concentration provides a certificate in alternative education.

▲Concentration in ASTL: Art Education (AART)

The 18-credit art education concentration is designed for art teachers with current licensure in art PK–12. It consists of six required courses that address contemporary professional development content areas in art education.

▲ Concentration in ASTL: Early Childhood Education (AECE)

The 18-credit early childhood concentration provides advanced professional development in preschool through third grade content and includes three required courses and three electives. The concentration focuses on practicing teachers who may or may not be licensed to teach young children.

▲ Concentration in ASTL: Elementary Mathematics (AEMA)

The 18-credit elementary math concentration combines the study of mathematics content appropriate for kindergarten through eighth grade with the study of mathematics education research, curriculum, leadership, and assessment.

▲Concentration in ASTL: Foreign Language French (AFLF)

The 18-credit foreign language concentration provides advanced professional development and language study for practicing foreign language teachers. The 18 credits include a combination of modern language courses and targeted electives.

▲ Concentration in ASTL: Foreign Language Spanish (AFLS)

The 18-credit foreign language concentration provides advanced professional development and language study for practicing foreign language teachers. The 18 credits include a combination of modern language courses and targeted electives.

▲Concentration in ASTL: Geography (AGEO)

The 21-credit geography concentration includes five required geography courses and two approved elective courses.  The concentration is designed for elementary, middle and high school teachers who seek a professional specialization in geography. Coursework provides an add-on endorsement in geography for Virginia teachers.

▲ Concentration in ASTL: Gifted Child Education (AGCE)

The 21-credit gifted child education concentration provides advanced professional development through endorsement or master’s degree for teachers of gifted students. The concentration meets NAGC/CEC graduate standards and focuses on culturally diverse, multilingual, twice exceptional, and traditionally defined gifted students and programs.

▲ Concentration in ASTL: History (AHIS)

The 18-credit history concentration includes one geography and five history courses that are required. The concentration is designed for elementary, middle, and high school teachers who seek a foundation in the history courses that are taught within Virginia public schools.

▲ Concentration in ASTL: Individualized (AATL)

The 18-credit individualized concentration is developed in concert with a student’s advisor to provide course work in a student’s specialized area that is not provided in other ASTL concentrations. The student works with the program director to design a program of study that provides individualized learning experiences in an area of expertise relevant to one’s professional educational setting.

▲ Concentration in ASTL: Literacy: PK–12 Classroom Teachers (AP12)

This 18-credit concentration includes three required literacy courses and three approved electives in ESOL, special education, psychology, secondary and elementary education, early childhood, writing, and other areas. Theory and strategies in literacy and reading for teachers in any discipline, PK–12.

▲ Concentration in ASTL: Literacy: Reading Specialist (ALRS)

This 21-credit concentration is a state-approved sequence of courses leading to Virginia reading specialist licensure. Course work includes foundational knowledge, instructional and assessment strategies for individuals and groups, and preparation as a literacy coach and staff developer. Licensure also requires a master’s degree, passing of the Virginia Reading Assessment, and three years of teaching under contract.

▲ Concentration in ASTL: Mathematics (Middle and Secondary) (AMTH)

This 18-credit concentration provides advanced professional development in mathematics teaching and learning for practicing middle or high school mathematics teachers. Students pursue either Middle Education, Grades 6-8 or Secondary Education, Grades 9-12 course work dependent on their current teaching assignment

▲ Concentration in ASTL: Physical Education (APED)

The 18-credit physical education concentration provides course work in research design, curriculum development, collaborative supervision, research in pedagogy, and advanced adapted content. It is designed for practicing teachers seeking to improve their professional knowledge and teaching performance for improving student learning.

▲ Concentration in ASTL: Science (ASCI)

The 18-credit science concentration provides advanced professional development in science teaching and learning for practicing elementary, middle, or high school science teachers. 

▲ Concentration in ASTL: Special Education (ASPE)

The 18-credit special education concentration provides advanced expertise for educators, administrators, and other professionals providing services to individuals with special needs. Students select one of the following areas of emphasis: applied behavior analysis; assistive technology; emotional disturbance and learning disabilities; emotional disturbance, learning disabilities, and mental retardation; mental retardation; or severe disabilities.

▲ Concentration in ASTL: Teacher Leadership (ATL)

This 18-credit concentration provides advanced professional development in school leadership. The educational leadership course work focuses on teachers as leaders in their classrooms, teams, departments, programs, and schools.

▲Concentration in Early Childhood Education-UTEEM (Licensure) (EDUT)

This 63-credit concentration prepares students to apply for triple licensure.  It provides professionals with the skills to work with culturally, linguistically, and ability-diverse young children and thier families in schools and diverse community settings.  Participation in the program requires a full-time, primarily daytime commitment for one summer and two academic years of intergrated study and ongoing practice in four different internships.  The program is designed to provide professionals with the specialized knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to meet the developmental and educational needs of young children.

▲Concentration in Early Childhood Education PK-3 (EPK3)

This 32-credit concentration prepares students to apply for initial teacher licensure.  It provides professionals with the skills to work with culturally, linguistically, and ability-diverse young children and thier families in schools and diverse community settings.  The program is designed to provide professionals with the specialized knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to meet the developmental and educational needs of young children in preschool to grade 3.

▲Concentration in Elementary Education (ELED)

The 39-credit Elementary Education concentration and initial licensure component provides professionals with the specialized knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to meet the educational needs of students attending today’s elementary schools.  Specific content and endorsement courses are required.  Two programs (one-or two- semester internships) provide flexibility for all students.  The two-semester internship program begins each fall semester; the one-semester internship program begins each summer semester.

All students are required to submit and successfully complete a series of performance-based assessments.  These assessments include content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and dispositions.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in all course work. 

▲Concentration in English as a Second Language (PK-12)(CISL)

This 39-credit ESL/ESOL PK-12 concentration provides initial state teacher licensure (endosement) for candidates wanting to teach in Virginia public schools, grades PK to 12.  This program provides teachers with the specialized knowledge, skills, and professioal dispositions required to pass an oral and written proficiency assessment in English to meet state licensing requirments and national professional standards.  This program has a licensure component of 30 credits and requires an additional 9 credits for completion of the MEd in Curriculum and Instruction.

Prerequisites for admission:  Six credits of a modern foreign language (graduate or undergraduate, do not count toward the MEd).

Field experience: Field experiences involving observations and analyses in public schools are required throughout the program; a maximum of 15 clock hours per course or 30 clock hours per term.  Arrangements can be made with each course instructor.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in all licensure course work.

▲Concentration in Foreign Language: Arabic (EARB)

This 39-credit Foreign Language: Arabic concentration with an initial licensure component prepares professionals with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions needed to teach Arabic to students in grades PK-12.  The program has a licensure component of 27 credits and requires an additional 12 credits for completion of the MEd.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in all licensure course work.

▲Concentration in Foreign Language: Chinese (ECHN)

This 39-credit Foreign Language: Chinese concentration with an initial licensure component prepares professionals with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions needed to teach Chinese to students in grades PK-12.  The program has a licensure component of 27 credits and requires an additional 12 credits for completion of the MEd.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in all licensure course work.

▲Concentration in Foreign Language: French (EFRN)

This 39-credit Foreign Language:French concentration with an initial licensure component prepares professionals with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions needed to teach French to students in grades PK-12.  The program has a licensure component of 27 credits and requires an additional 12 credits for completion of the MEd.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in all licensure course work.

▲Concentration in Foreign Language: German (EGRM)

This 39-credit Foreign Language: German concentration with an initial licensure component prepares professionals with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions needed to teach German to students in grades PK-12.  The program has a licensure component of 27 credits and requires an additional 12 credits for completion of the MEd.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in all licensure course work.

▲Concentration in Foreign Language: Japanese (EJPN)

This 39-credit Foreign Language: Japanese concentration with an initial licensure component prepares professionals with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions needed to teach Japanese to students in grades PK-12.  The program has a licensure component of 27 credits and requires an additional 12 credits for completion of the MEd.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in all licensure course work.

▲Concentration in Foreign Language: Latin (ELTN)

This 39-credit Foreign Language: Latin concentration with an initial licensure component prepares professionals with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions needed to teach Latin to students in grades PK-12.  The program has a licensure component of 27 credits and requires an additional 12 credits for completion of the MEd.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in all licensure course work.

▲Concentration in Foreign Language: Russian (ERUS)

This 39-credit Foreign Language: Russian concentration with an initial licensure component prepares professionals with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions needed to teach Russian to students in grades PK-12.  The program has a licensure component of 27 credits and requires an additional 12 credits for completion of the MEd.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in all licensure course work.

▲Concentration in Foreign Language: Spanish (ESPN)

This 39-credit Foreign Language: Spanish concentration with an initial licensure component prepares professionals with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions needed to teach Spanish to students in grades PK-12.  The program has a licensure component of 27 credits and requires an additional 12 credits for completion of the MEd.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in all licensure course work.

Instructional Technology

Four concentrations with an instructional technology focus provide professionals the specialized knowledge and skills needed to apply a wide range of computer and telecommunications technologies in achieving educational goals within school, community, and corporate or public settings.  The concentrations combine current theoretical foundations or technology development and integration with practical, hands-on experiences in using state-of-practice and state-of-the-art technologies.  These concentrations serve the various needs and interests of specific types of instructional technology clients: instructional design and development, integration of technology in schools, technology innovations in education, and assistive and special education technology.

▲Concentration in Assistive and Special Education Technology (IASP)

▲Concentration in Instructional Design and Development (IIDD)

▲Concentration in Instructional Design and Development Immersion (IMDD)

▲Concentration in Integration of Technology in Schools (IITS)

▲Concentration in International Education FAST TRAIN ESOL (PK-12) (FTSL)

This 30-credit concentration is specifically designed for teachers and educators who are working abroad or plan on teaching overseas, or individuals living outside the Washington, DC area who want a license and master’s degree in ESOL.  This program has a licensure component of 21 credits and requires and additional 9 credits for completion of the MEd.  Course work includes integrated fieldwork in schools and all requirements for a Virginia ESOL license PK-12.  The convenient schedule enables participants to complete the program through on-campus study during two summers and on-line study during the academic year.  On successful completion of course work and passing scores on the required exams, participants are eligible to receive a statement of eligibility from the state.  After completing an internship requirement overseas (either one term of student teaching or one year of full-time teaching), candidates are eligible to apply for the ESOL PK-12 Virginia license.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in all course work. 

▲Concentration in International Education FAST TRAIN (Elementary) PK-6 (FTEL)

This 30-credit hour concentration is an alternative teacher licensure program that prepares educators for international teaching assignments.  This program has an 18 credit  licensure component and requires an additional 12 credits for completion of the MEd.  The course work may be completed in the part-time evening program or during the summer five week intensive program.  All course work requires 20 hours of integrated fieldwork observation and practice.  On successful completion of course work and passing scores on the required exams, participants are eligible to receive a state of eligibility from the state.  After completing an internship requirement overseas (either one term of student teaching or one year full-time teaching), candidates are eligible to apply for the elmentary PK-6 Virginia license.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in all course work. 

▲Concentration in Multilingual and Multicultural Education (CIMM)

This 30-credit concentration prepares professionals to work with diverse population of individuals.  It provides courses for licensed teachers and the required courses for an add-on endorsement in English as a second language (ESL) PK-12, also known as English for speakers of other languages (ESOL).  The program is appropriate for individuals who are not licensed and wish to complete a master’s degree.  Six credits of a foreign language (undergraduate or graduate level) are required but do not count toward the master’s degree.

Secondary Education (6–12)

The seven 33-credit secondary education concentrations with a licensure component are designed to meet the needs of individuals who wish to be licensed or need to satisfy the requirements of a provisional license to teach at the secondary level. Specific endorsement areas are  Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, History and Social Science, Mathematics, and Physics.

The Career Switcher Program is an alternative licensure route that prepares experienced professionals for licensure as  secondary school teachers with endorsements in  Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, History and Social Science, Mathematics, and Physics. Successful applicants must have at least five years of work experience and passing scores on the Praxis I and II, and VCLA exams. In addition, they must have completed all required endorsement courses. The program consists of six months of course work and fieldwork, followed by a closely mentored year of full-time paid classroom teaching.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in all course work.

Field Experience

Field experiences in public schools will be required throughout the program (a maximum of 15 clock hours per course or 30 clock hours per term). Arrangements will be made at the beginning of each term.

▲ Concentration in Secondary Education Biology (SECB)

▲ Concentration in Secondary Education Chemistry (SECC)

▲ Concentration in Secondary Education Earth Science (SECS)

▲ Concentration in Secondary Education English (SECE)

▲ Concentration in Secondary Education History and Social Studies (SECH)

▲ Concentration in Secondary Education Mathematics (SECM)

▲ Concentration in Secondary Education Physics (SECP)