College of Education Mission
The College of Education at the University of Mary Washington prepares educators for the 21st century who are knowledgeable, skilled, collaborative, reflective, and sensitive to diverse learner needs. To accomplish this, we:
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Are grounded in a strong liberal arts curriculum
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Emphasize school-based experiences through which students solidify their understanding of the nature of the learner and effective teaching and motivational practices
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Build a diverse community of practice involving strong partnerships among students, faculty, local teachers, and administrators
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Enhance teacher aptitudes for research and critical decision making and ensure knowledge of learning theories and research-based pedagogy
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Challenge educators to respond to the changing nature of learning in the 21st century through an emphasis on multi-literacies
The College of Education administers the Teacher Education Program at The University of Mary Washington. All teacher education licensure programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Education. Requirements for licensure are established by the Virginia Board of Education and are subject to change. The College is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
College of Education Admission
Admission to the Teacher Education Programs is by application directly to the College of Education. Admission is competitive and is based on academic achievement and on other indications of potential in meeting the program goals. Students are strongly advised to attend a Group Information Session on the Initial Licensure Programs. Group Information Sessions are offered throughout the academic year. At these sessions, students are informed of the features and requirements of the program. Students are advised of the required Minimum Performance Standards and are asked to apprise the department of requests for accommodations. Current UMW students and prospective transfer students who are interested in the Initial Licensure Programs should attend one of these Group Information Sessions.
Admission, continuation, and program completion
Admission, continuation, and program completion requirements are defined within a three-stage procedure:
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Admission to UMW,
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Admission to the College of Education, and
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Successful Completion of the Program and Recommendation for Licensure.
Detailed descriptions of the program requirements are explained on the College of Education website.
Undergraduate Admission
Students can begin their coursework in Phase I with EDUC 206 Foundations of Education. For permission to take EDUC 207 Development of the Learner and Instructional Practices, students must complete the COE Phase I Questionnaire. The Questionnaire will open during the advising period and be processed until the course is full.
To continue in the COE, students apply for admission during Phase I of the program. Students must have earned a 3.0 or better in EDUC 206 and EDUC 207 and have an overall 2.5 GPA in at least 12 credits of UMW course work OR an overall 3.0 for transfer students.
By the end of Phase II, all students must submit qualifying literacy proficiency scores (visit the COE web site for options).
Applications for Phase II must be completed by February 15 to begin in the fall and by October 1 to begin in the spring. Newly admitted transfer students may submit applications on a rolling basis. To be fully admitted into the program, admission testing must be passed by the first day of the semester when Phase III courses begin.
Continuation
To continue in the program students must do the following:
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maintain good academic standing with an overall cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better;
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achieve a GPA of 3.0 or better in all education courses;
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demonstrate satisfactory progress on all Professional Competencies; and
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complete and achieve satisfactory evaluations in all field experiences.
A student who drops below a 3.0 GPA in COE courses or a 2.5 GPA overall will be placed on COE academic probation for the subsequent semester. Students have until the end of that subsequent semester to raise their GPA to continue working towards licensure. Students who do not raise their GPA after the subsequent semester will be moved to a non-licensure, major only pathway and will not complete an internship or be eligible for licensure from the Virginia Department of Education.
A student who earns a D or F in a COE course will be placed on COE academic probation for the subsequent semester and must retake the course. Students have until the end of that subsequent semester to retake the course and raise their GPA to continue working towards licensure. Students who do not retake the course and raise their GPA after the subsequent semester will be moved to a non-licensure, major only pathway and will not complete an internship or be eligible for licensure from the Virginia Department of Education.
A student who is moved to a non-licensure, major only pathway, who is again in good standing, may reapply to the COE before the end of the semester prior to their internship semester.
A student who drops below a 2.0 GPA in COE courses or overall GPA will be dismissed from the COE. A dismissed student may reapply to the COE once their GPA is in good standing.
Completion
Successful completion of the program and recommendation for licensure to the Virginia Department of Education are contingent upon:
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completion of all degree requirements;
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a grade of B (including B+, B, or B-) or better in EDUC 499 Internship; minimum 3.0 (B) or higher overall cumulative GPA in all education coursework; and
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achieving passing scores on all licensure examinations; certification or training in emergency first aid, CPR and use of the automated external defibrillators; and completion of training modules as required by the Virginia Department of Education.
Note: If a student chooses to complete the Elementary Education program without seeking licensure, EDUC 499 is not required.