What is VCU COVE?

The VCU COVE Program is a combined effort of the Department of Special Education and Disability Policy at VCU, the Virginia Department of Education, and school divisions in Superintendent’s Regions 1, 3, 7 & 8. Program participants will receive coursework and other activities leading to endorsements in emotional disturbance, learning disabilities, or mental retardation. All courses will be predominantly Web-based and taught by a lead instructor who is a full-time faculty member in the Department of Special Education and Disability Policy at VCU.

How long will it take me to finish the program?

The VCU COVE program is a 23-credit hour sequence consisting of seven 3-credit hour graduate courses and two 1-credit hour on the job seminar. The COVE program is designed to be completed in four consecutive semesters of instruction, followed by two semesters during which the student is actively teaching and participating in a 1-credit hour seminar.

What is the difference between Cohort numbers and which am I?

Each cohort refers to when you began the VCU COVE Program. Cohort 1 began in the spring semester of 2004. Cohort 2 began in the summer semester of 2004. Cohort 3 began in the fall semester of 2004. Cohort 4 began in the spring semester of 2005. Cohort 5 began in the summer semester of 2005. Cohort 6 began in the fall semester of 2005. Cohort 7 began in the spring semester of 2006.  Cohort 8 began in the summer semester of 2006.  Cohort 9, which is the new cohort, will begin in the fall semester of 2006.

If you are applying to become part of the VCU COVE Program, you will be part of Cohort 9.

How will we receive class instruction? 

Web-based instruction will be the primary vehicle for delivering instructional content. All courses will be delivered through a combination of Web-based instruction and face-to-face meetings in localities throughout the state. Web-based and face-to-face content may be supplemented through audio teleconferences and resource materials provided to all students.  

Who will teach these courses? 

All courses are taught by a lead instructor who is part of the Department of Special Education and Disability Policy at VCU.

Will we have to be on the Internet at a certain time?

These courses are designed to be semi-flexible with time. You will not be required to be on the Internet at a certain time but you will be required to review materials, complete assignment, and take tests and quizzes by a certain date. You may be required to participate in audio conferences and/or online discussions, which may have time specification. If these are requirements of your class, you will be notified during your face-to-face orientation meeting. During this orientation meeting, you will receive a syllabus, which will detail the expectations of each course.

When I’m done with the program, will I receive licensure from VCU?

The VCU COVE program leads to full professional collegiate licensure for individuals completing the entire sequence of courses.  Courses taken outside of the COVE program must be verified by the COVE office before the “College Verification Form” is submitted to the Human Resource Director of your school district.  Your HR Department will assist you in obtaining your license and endorsement in emotional disturbance, learning disabilities, or mental retardation.

I would like to complete my Masters degree. Will the VCU COVE classes transfer?

Fifteen semester credit hours of these graduate courses with a grade of “B” or better will be accepted towards the Master of Education in a special education degree program at VCU. Further, the “Language and Reading Disabilities” course may be counted as a prerequisite for a course in the Master of Education program. All coursework for the Master’s degree must be completed within five years of the beginning of the first course taken. To find out more about VCU's Masters program, please contact the VCU School of Education. 

I know what classes are being offered through the VCU COVE Program but I need more information about each class in the program.

For a course summary, please see the VCU Graduate Bulletin: http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/bulletins/

During the orientation meeting, you will receive a class syllabus, which will have more specific information about each class.

Can I get endorsed in ED, LD and MR?

You will only be able to take courses in one specialization track: emotional disturbance, learning disabilities OR mental retardation. 

I would like to buy some software and/or hardware. Do you have any suggestions?

You can purchase software and hardware from Online@VCU. Online@VCU offers many products at a discounted price for VCU students. http://www.bsv.vcu.edu/online@vcu/

When do classes begin for the Fall semester?

Courses begin October 2, 2006.

How do I become a participant in the VCU COVE Program?

Becoming a part of the VCU COVE Program is a two-part process:

Step 1: Apply (Application deadline: September 1, 2006)
· Complete the online application form
· Your application will be sent to the Admissions Committee for review
· If you have been accepted, go to Step 2: Registration

Step 2: Register – (Registration deadline: September 8, 2006)
In order to register, you must complete and mail or fax the off-campus registration form.

If I apply, does that mean I am part of the VCU COVE Program?

Once your application has been received, it will be sent to the VCU COVE Admissions Committee. This committee will review your application and determine acceptance.

How will I know if I’m accepted?

After the Admissions Committee has determined acceptance into the program, you will be notified via email. Once you have received notification of acceptance, you will need to register. The registration deadline is September 8, 2006.

How do I register?

In order to register, you must complete and mail or fax the following:
 
1. Off-Campus Registration Form (Found on the VCU web page) http://www.soe.vcu.edu/soea/Forms/OffCampusRegistration.pdf

Where do I mail or fax my registration?

Please mail registration to:
SOE Associates
Virginia Commonwealth University
Oliver Hall Education Room 1057
1015 West Main Street
P.O. Box 842020
Richmond, VA 23284-2020
Fax #: (804)828-6444

Registration must be received by September 8, 2006. Any registration forms received after September 8, 2006 will not be accepted.

Can I pay for the cost of the entire program?

Please pay per semester. Each semester you will need to register and pay for classes. Your cost for each 3 credit course will be $200 each. Once your are registered, you will be billed by the VCU Office of Student Accounting.

What happens after I register?

You will then be required to participate in a face-to-face orientation meeting the week prior to the start of the course. During this meeting, you will be given your class syllabi. During the orientation meeting, you can ask your orientation leader or professor questions concerning the class or VCU COVE Program.

Where will the orientation meetings be held?

The orientation meetings will be held in areas that are convenient to the greatest number of applicants in each region. After your registration form has been received, you will be notified of the date, time, and location of the orientation meeting.

Are you only accepting teachers who are employed in Superintendent’s Regions 1, 3, 7, or 8?

We are targeting those teachers in regions 1, 3, 7, & 8 but the program is available to persons statewide.

I won’t be able to get my registration form in by September 8, 2006 due to the mail services. What should I do?

Register In Person: The office is located on VCU's Academic Campus at 1015 West Main Street, Oliver Hall School of Education, Room 1057. This office is open for registration from 8:30am-4:00pm Monday-Friday and can be reached at 804-828-1322 or soea@vcu.edu

Make sure that you complete the online application before you register. No registrations received without an application will be accepted

How do I confirm my registration, pay my tuition, get my final grade & get my unofficial transcript?

All enrolled students have access to e-Services, the online student system at VCU. Go to www.vcu.edu, click on Current Students & then click on e-Services (Student Records Access). Follow the instructions to log in & you will be able to view all information related to your enrollment, billing, final grades & unofficial transcripts.

I am a student with a disability and will need accommodations for my classes. What is VCU’s policy on this?

VCU provides services for students with disabilities on both the Academic and Medical Campus. Please contact the appropriate coordinator of the Disability Support Services (DSS) Office for additional information about eligibility of services and accommodations:

Academic Campus
DSS Coordinator: Joyce Knight
109 North Harrison St.
Room 102 A
Voice/TDD: (804) 828-2253
Fax: (804) 828-1944

If you are already a registered student with the VCU Disability Support Services Office (DSS), please contact your professor as soon as possible (ideally within the first three weeks of the semester). You will need to present each professor with a letter of accommodations from the DSS Office.

I will need a receipt of payment. Will you send me a receipt?

You must contact the VCU Office of Student Accounting regarding a receipt. They can be reached at (804)828-2228.

I will also need to submit my grades to my school district.

Official transcripts can be requested from the Office of Records and Registration (804-828-1349) or go online to http://www.vcu.edu/enroll/rar/transcripts.html for transcript information. You can obtain an unofficial transcript from VCU by using eservices. Eservices provides electronic access to your academic record (this system is how all VCU students retrieve their final grade). You will need your social security number and birth date to logon.
 https://iserver.adm.vcu.edu/AIS/STU/S_ESERV_HOME.html

What is the difference between drop and withdrawal, and what are the COVE deadlines for each?

• Drop - A student may drop a class (excluding short courses) only during the first week of the fall or spring term. Charges are removed, and the student’s transcript does not list the class.
  
• Withdraw - When a student withdraws from a class (excluding short courses) within the first four weeks of the fall or spring term, the transcript lists the class with a mark of “W” and charges are assessed and adjusted according to the University Refund Policy. The student also may withdraw from a class between the end of Week 4 and the end of Week 10 with a mark of “W” but no refund of tuition.

  Excerpt from the VCU Resource Guide http://www.students.vcu.edu/rg/0405/Resource%20Guide%2004-05.pdf

  The deadline to drop a course with a refund is October 9, 2006.  The deadline to withdraw from a course with a "W" on your transcript and no refund is November 6, 2006.  All drop/withdrawal requests must be made in writing to SOE Associates (email drop/withdrawal requests are acceptable when sent to soea@vcu.edu).  This information is posted on the registration page on this website.
  
  Note: COVE courses are considered short courses.

I’m having technical/Blackboard problems in the class. What should I do?

Contact the VCU AT Help Desk at (804) 828-2227 or visit them on the web at http://www.ts.vcu.edu/helpdesk.

The AT Help Desk provides quick, courteous, and comprehensive computing support on the Academic and MCV campuses. Self-service support is available online 24 hours a day and walk-in and live phone support during posted hours.

How do I get Textbooks for the courses?

Students can find textbooks for courses at the VCU Bookstore. The bookstore can be accessed on-line at http://www.bkstr.com or visit them on VCU's Monroe Park Campus in Richmond at 1111 West Broad Street, Richmond--(804)828-1678.

I didn’t find the answer to my question. What do I do now?

Contact Carole Boyle at caboyle@vcu.edu for any questions concerning the VCU COVE Program.

If you are currently taking classes in the VCU COVE Program and you have a question about the content in your class, contact your professor.