What is Admission to Candidacy? (MA in Education degree only)
Admission to Program
Applications for degree or additional endorsements:
Completed applications for admission into the graduate program are reviewed regularly throughout the year. The Teacher Education Admissions Committee (TEAC) makes admissions decisions and annually reviews admissions policies. A completed application for degree or licensure/endorsement areas includes the following:
International Students:
In addition to the requirements above, International applicants must submit the following information:
Applications for Graduate Certificates
Only completed applications will be considered by the Teacher Education Admissions Committee.
Persons who are denied admission may appeal in writing to the Teacher Education Admissions Committee for consideration of full admission, providing additional information pertinent to an admission decision. Prospective students may appeal a second denial of admission to the graduate dean, whose determination for admission is final.
Persons holding a bachelor’s degree who are pursuing personal or educational development may enroll in graduate education courses, special institutes, or site-based curricular offerings without being admitted into the MA in Education program.
Persons taking more than nine semester hours are encouraged to apply to the program to ensure that subsequent hours can be counted toward the master’s degree.
Candidates who wish to enroll in more than ten hours per term must request, in writing, permission from the director or associate director. Consideration of a request to enroll in more than ten hours per term is considered on a case-by-case basis, and may include consideration of factors such as prior academic performance.
Changes to program/certificate concentrations are subject to TEAC approval. Candidates must submit a written request to TEAC that provides the current concentration, the requested concentration, and the reason for the request to change concentrations. Candidates must also submit evidence that admission criteria for the requested concentration are met to the extent it was not provided in the underlying application, which may include (but is not limited to) evidence of a teaching license, teaching experience, and test results.
Admission to Candidacy (MA in Education degree only)
Admission to Candidacy is required for degree-seeking candidates only and indicates potential to conduct Action Research.
Application for admission to candidacy may take place when the candidate has successfully completed two of the core courses (EDCC 501 Creating Cultures of Change, EDCC 521 Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution, or EDCC 531 Social & Ethical Issues) plus six semester hours of the concentration area courses.
An Application to Candidacy should be submitted to the Education Department the semester before taking Action Research. All applications are reviewed for admission by the Teacher Education Admissions Committee (TEAC).
Applicants seeking initial licensure in ESL must be admitted to candidacy, pass Praxis #5362, and complete certification or training in emergency first aid, (Red Cross or American Heart Association) cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators (http://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/licensure/emergency_first_aid_cpr_aed/index.shtml) prior to placement in an internship (student teaching).
Admission to candidacy is required prior to enrollment in EDCC 551 Action Research in Educational Settings. Mentors will be assigned during the Action Research in Educational Settings course.
A completed application includes the following:
Application to Candidacy Candidacy Recommendation Form
Exit Requirements
Master’s degree:
Graduate Certificates in English as a Second Language (PA only) and Reading Specialist (PA only), and State Certifications/Endorsements:
Graduate Certificates in Restorative Justice in Education and Trauma and Resilience in Educational Environments: