Chemistry Major, Teaching Endorsement for Grades 6-12

Owned by Laura Lehman (Deactivated)
Last updated: Dec 13, 2021
2 min read

Advisor: Stephen Cessna

This program will prepare students to teach chemistry by instructing them in the standards of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). The courses listed in the chemistry major and the Secondary Education (6-12) courses make up the program for teacher licensure, grades 6-12.

Required Courses

  • *CHEM 285 Environmental Chemistry - 4 
  • ENVS 135 Earth Science - 2 
  • Choose one of the following courses:
    • BIOL 155 Biological Explorations - 3 
    • BIOL 173 Concepts in Biology: Unity and Diversity of Life - 4 
    • BIOL 205 Introduction to Microbiology - 3 
    • ENVS 145 Environmental Science - 2 

Enrollment in upper-level biology, biochemistry, chemistry and environmental science courses (BIOL, BIOCH, CHEM, ENVS 300s and 400s) requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all science and math courses (BIOL, BIOCH, CHEM, ENVS, MATH, PHYS). Students who fail to earn a C- in any coursework required for their major should promptly schedule a meeting with their advisor.

Admission Requirements
All students seeking licensure to teach shall make application for admission to teacher education and to student teaching. Application for admission to teacher education is made at the end of the fall semester of the sophomore year and application for admission to student teaching is made at the end of the fall semester of the junior year. Transfer students are required to attend an education department transfer orientation meeting their first semester on campus.

Entrance and exit requirements including cut-off test scores for all teacher education programs are found in the Teacher Education Handbook which is available in the education office or online at www.emu.edu/education or www.emu.edu/education/test-scores.

An entry assessment in reading, writing, and mathematics is required for admission to the teacher education program. Students with qualifying SAT/ACT scores or a Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics score of 155 and the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) meet the requirement. The Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) is required for teacher licensure.

The Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) is required for early/primary education (PreK-3), elementary education (PreK-6), and special education (K-12). Admission to teacher education requires a 2.5 cumulative GPA, submission of an admissions portfolio and a teacher education interview. Admission to student teaching requires a 2.7 cumulative GPA. In addition, students must have a C or better in all education courses (courses with ED or EDS prefix and content area methods courses) to be admitted to student teaching. Exit requirements include meeting the Virginia cut off score requirements for the Praxis Subject Assessment (consisting of specialty area components); submission of a student teaching portfolio as part of ED 411; and an earned GPA of 2.7. Students may obtain an additional endorsement without completing an approved licensure program by passing the Praxis Subject Assessment in the content area (Biology, Chemistry, English, History and Social Science, Mathematics, Visual Arts, Health and Physical Education, Foreign Language, and Music) with the exception of PreK-3, PreK-6, and Special Education.