Licensure & Reciprocity
Upon completion of degree requirements in any of VCU’s educator preparation programs and with the recommendation of the School of Education, students are eligible to receive initial and advanced licensure from the Virginia Department of Education. For additional information on licensure, licensure renewal or an add-on endorsement, contact the School of Education’s Student Services Center or the Virginia Department of Education.
In Virginia, licensure requires successful completion of state-mandated tests. Passing scores on these tests are required to progress through different portions of the licensure programs from admission to teacher preparation, admission to student teaching and recommendation for licensure. For a list of testing requirements, please refer to the testing requirements page.
If you plan to be in a state other than Virginia while completing an online program at VCU, please note that state regulations in every state determine whether VCU may offer you a place in a course or program. VCU participants in the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which allows students from NC-SARA approved states to enroll in VCU's degree programs. All online VCU licensure programs lead to a recommendation for a Virginia educator’s license. Please also note that, as a VCU student enrolled in an online program, the university-wide policies would apply to you-in addition to policies of the School of Education.
Licensure and endorsement are based in part on the successful completion of an approved program developed in response to state and nationally recognized standards. All licensure and endorsement programs offered by the School of Education are approved by the Virginia Department of Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The Commonwealth of Virginia is a member of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, which has a national reciprocity agreement for teacher licensure. Therefore, all licensure and endorsement programs in the School of Education have approved program status and are a part of the NASDTEC Certification Reciprocity Agreement.
Individuals often decide to pursue a teaching career after they have completed a baccalaureate degree. VCU serves qualified individuals through approved programs leading to a Master of Teaching and a Master of Education (special education). Upon completion of a degree program, graduates are eligible for both Virginia licensure and/or endorsement in the specific degree area.
The Master of Teaching program integrates undergraduate course work for a bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts or science major with course work and graduate study leading to a Master of Teaching in a program area.
All of VCU’s initial teacher preparation programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Education and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. VCU’s School of Education also holds membership in the American and Virginia Associations of Colleges for Teacher Education and the Holmes Partnership.
Based on the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification agreement, VCU graduates will be eligible for teacher licensure reciprocity with other states. Students interested in licensure reciprocity should contact the School of Education’s Student Services Center or prospective employment state’s Department of Education to identify any additional requirements for transferring their license to another state.
- TK20 by Watermark Assessment System
- Assessment and Evaluation Resources
- CAEP Accountability Measures
- National Recognition for the Reading Specialist Program
School of Education, Licensure Disclosure Statement
The School of Education (SOE) degree programs that lead to professional licensure are designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for professional licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia as outlined by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
All programs, regardless of modality, are required to provide general (public) and direct (individual) disclosures to students in programs that lead to licensure or certification. This rule applies to educational programs that are either:
- Designed to meet education requirements for a specific professional license or certification that is required for employment in an occupation
- Advertised as meeting such requirements
Licensure disclosure information is updated annually. The information below is accurate as of July 24, 2020.
For a list of state licensing bodies and additional university public disclosure information, visit https://provost.vcu.edu/academics/accreditation/disclosures/
* Available fully online
The ETS website has test preparation resources for students.
For information regarding registration, test administration, fees, the policy for testing individuals with disabilities, please visit the Praxis website.