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Prerequisite Coursework in Virginia
Teacher education programs in Virginia are a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The coursework often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, teaching methodology and preparing students to research, design and implement learning techniques in their field of study. Fieldwork includes student teaching, observing classrooms or completing an internship.
All states, including Virginia, require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in order to receive teacher certification. Virginia does not list specific course or credit hour requirements, although it does specify the skills it wants teachers in every area or subject to master. The state does require field experience hours and supervised student teaching.
Every college or university teacher preparation program will have requirements of its own. Contact your teacher preparation program or the Virginia Department of Education’s licensure page for more information. Visit Teach.com’s Virginia state certification page to learn more about additional requirements regarding Virginia teacher preparation programs.
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Virginia Teacher Certification Programs
Teachers in Virginia are required to complete an accredited teacher education program from a college or university. A list of state-approved college and university teacher preparation programs can be found at the Virginia Department of Education’s list of Approved Educator Preparation Programs.
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Required Tests for Virginia
In Virginia, teachers must pass a Basic Skills Test requirement and also Subject Area Competence assessments related to their teaching specialty area.
Basic Skills Test
Subject Area Competence
- Praxis II: Subject Tests in your specialty area
- Praxis Series Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) required for Elementary and Special Education Certification
You can learn more about the Praxis exams by visiting Teach.coms’ Guide to the Praxis Exams and read more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.
Initial Teaching Certifications
Virginia provides several routes to licensure, including college and university programs approved by the Board of Education, reciprocity for educators licensed by other states and alternative routes for qualified candidates. Contact the Virginia Department of Education for more information or go to Teach.com’s credentialing page.
