Alternative Licensing Requirements

Alternative licensing requires completion of four groups of professional preparation activities:

(1) Content Courses:  “Content” courses are the set of courses required to assure mastery of the content to be taught. Each endorsement area has its own content requirements selected to provide the necessary knowledge and skill base for the field.  More detailed information about content requirements can be found at the State Department of Education website:  www.pen.k12.va.us or www.teachvirginia.org. General guidelines are outlined below.

A.  Elementary Education (preK-6) requires a broad base of knowledge and skills because elementary (K-6) teachers typically are expected to teach all subjects.  Elementary requirements include:
English:  12 semester hours including courses in composition, literature, and oral communication
Mathematics:  12 semester hours – any selection
Science:  12 semester hours of laboratory science
History:  9 semester hours including courses in world history and U.S. history.
Social Sciences:  6 semester hours including courses in geography and economics
Humanities:  6 semester hours – any selection; examples include philosophy, religion, fine arts
Computer Technology:  3 semester hours – any selection. 

B.     Middle School (grades 6-8)* endorsements require a minimum of 21 semester hours in at least one area of academic preparation (English, mathematics, science and history and social sciences) that will be listed on the license; and completed minimum requirements for those areas (English, mathematics, science, and history and social sciences) in which the individual is not seeking an area of academic preparation.  The applicant will be restricted to teaching only in the area(s) of concentration listed on the teaching license.

C.     Secondary (grades 6-12) and most K-12* endorsements require a comprehensive college major in the field of endorsement or a specified equivalent selection of courses, ranging from 36-51 semester hours.  Specific requirements are listed on the website.

*Some applicants completing middle and secondary endorsements may satisfy content requirements by passing the relevant Praxis II test IF they can also document five or more years of full time work experience outside of education.

(2) Professional Preparation Courses:  Virginia and virtually all other states require a specified selection of teacher preparation courses for licensing.  These vary somewhat by endorsement, but general requirements for all candidates include:
3 semester hours:  Foundations of Education
3 semester hours:  Human Growth and Development
6 semester hours:  Curriculum and Instructional Methods relevant to endorsement
3 semester hours:  Reading in the Content Areas (6-12; 6-8)
6 semester hours:  Reading and Language Acquisition (preK-6)
3 semester hours:  Reading and Language Acquisition (6-8)
These courses maybe taken individually or in the integrated LC Teach model.  For additional information, see “Professional Preparation Requirements” section that follows.

(3) Standardized Testing: Documentation of knowledge and skill mastery through standardized testing.  Test requirements (July 2007) in Virginia include:

A.  Praxis I:  Basic Skills – reading, writing, math – required for all admissions to approved programs and student teaching, but no longer required for alternative licensing, EXCEPT if specified on provisional license.  Available in traditional paper/pencil format on specified dates by pre-registration only, www.ets.org/praxis include comprehensive information and practice tests.  Also available in computerized format by appointment at Prometrics testing Centers (Sylvan Learning Centers).  Applicants who earned passing SAT or ACT scores are exempt from the Praxis I requirement upon presentation of official scores.
 ·        Passing scores on Praxis I: Reading-178, Writing-176, Mathematics-178 or Composite-532; OR
·        Equivalent score on SAT I (1000 with minimum of 450 verbal and 510 math if taken before 4/1/95; 1100 with minimum of 530 verbal and 530 math if taken after 4/1/95); OR
·        Equivalent score on ACT (minimum composite of 21, with a minimum math score of 21 and a minimum English Plus Reading score of 37 if taken before 4/1/95; minimum composite score of 24, with a minimum math score of 22 and a minimum English Plus Reading score of 46 if taken after 4/1/95)

B.  Praxis II:  Specialty Tests.  At this time required for virtually all endorsements except special education.  Available only in traditional format at specified times by pre-registration.  Check ETS website (see Praxis I) for specified Virginia requirements for your endorsement, schedule and registration information.

C.     Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA).  Required for elementary and special education endorsements. The passing score on the VRA is 235. VRA is available only in traditional format at specified times by pre-registration.  Information about testing and registration is available on-line at www.va.nesinc.com.

D.     Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA).  Unless otherwise noted on existing provisional license, all persons who will acquire their initial license on or after January 1, 2007, must pass the VCLA.  VCLA is only available in the traditional format at specified times by pre-registration.   Information about the test, test dates, and registration is available at www.va.nesinc.com.

(4) Student Teaching:  one full-time satisfactory semester of supervised student teaching or one year of full-time teaching in the endorsement field.

For more information call 434/544-8382