Education

Marymount University’s professional programs leading to the Master of Education are dedicated to the mission "Preparing Educational Leaders for Diverse Learning Communities." The three tenets comprising the conceptual framework model that synergistically interact include critical thinker, effective practitioner, and caring professional. Knowledge of the learner and learning, content, instructional practice, and professional responsibility provide the foundation for our programs. All courses and experiences are designed to achieve this mission.

Upon successful completion of any Master of Education licensure program, students will be able to

• apply knowledge of learner development, learning differences, and learning environments to help all learners meet high standards and reach their full potential;
• demonstrate a deep understanding of content and the ability to draw upon content knowledge to support learners in accessing information and applying knowledge in real-world settings to assure mastery of content;
• design and implement a variety of effective instructional strategies and assessments in coordinated and engaged ways;
• demonstrate leadership and collaboration by modeling ethical behavior, and professional responsibility resulting in the highest levels of achievement.

Graduate programs leading to a Master of Education and initial teaching licensure in Virginia are elementary education (grades PK-6); secondary education (grades 6-12 in biology, chemistry, earth science, English, history and social science, mathematics, and physics; and special education: general curriculum (grades K-12). The administration and supervision program offers an add-on endorsement for Virginia licensure in administration and supervision (grades PK-12). The school also offers a non-licensure program: the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and 15-credit certificates in Special Education; English as a Second Language; and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

Upon completion of the non-licensure education programs, the students will be able to

• research and write critically about issues in education;
• apply specialized knowledge and skills in selected concentration area;
• analyze data for educational decision making and problem solving; and
• demonstrate leadership and collaboration by modeling ethical behavior and responsibility to help advance the profession.

Students seeking teaching licensure reserve one semester for the student-teaching experience. This experience is a 14-week, full-time placement. Student teaching is the culmination of the Marymount teacher-education licensure program and reflects the degree to which a student will be effective as a classroom teacher. See The Student-Teaching Experience section for complete information about application procedures for student teaching.

All Marymount University teacher education programs are approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the Virginia Department of Education. Program requirements are subject to revision based upon changes set forth by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Periodic Progress Review

Each semester, the education faculty meets to evaluate all students’ academic progress and professional dispositions. The education faculty consider not only academic performance, but also personal characteristics, such as maturity, judgment, emotional stability, sensitivity to others, and self-awareness, that affect one’s ability to be a teacher or administrator. If the faculty identifies a problem during the periodic review or evidence of personal difficulty that has the potential to negatively affect the student’s capacity to function as a future teacher or administrator, the student will first be required to meet with his or her advisor. If needed, the student may be referred to the School of Sciences, Mathematics, and Education’s Teacher Education Committee. Failure to meet academic and professional standards may result in dismissal from the Marymount education program. If the faculty identifies an outstanding candidate during the periodic review, the faculty may decide to send a letter of commendation to the student to recognize outstanding achievement.

Graduate Programs in Education

Admission Requirements for Degree Programs: Formal application for admission to the teacher education program is required. In addition to the universitywide graduate admission requirements, applicants to the M.Ed. program must:

• submit proof of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA or 3.25 in the last 60 hours or 3.0 in their endorsement area;
• submit two recommendations;
• submit all undergraduate transcripts so that the adequacy of undergraduate general education coursework needed for licensure requirements can be determined;
• interview with a faculty advisor in the education department; and
• present passing scores, as set by the Virginia Department of Education, for
  • Praxis Core Mathematics only (Praxis Core Mathematics exam may be waived with sufficient composite SAT/ACT score. See an academic advisor for further information.)*
  • Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)*

The MU education department requires at least one of the following:

• CSLP/PDS writing sample
• VCLA writing score at appropriate level (see an academic advisor for further information)
• "in-house" writing sample scored using designated rubric

*Applicants for the administration and supervision program and the non-licensure M.Ed. program are not required to take the Praxis or VCLA examinations.

Academic Progression Requirements: Education students must achieve satisfactory progress each semester. Failure to meet requirements for progression to any course or portion of the program will result in review by the Teacher Education Committee and may result in dismissal from the program.

Academic Probation: Students may only be on non-consecutive probation once during their graduate studies. If a student's cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for a second time, the student will be dismissed. Students who wish to appeal their dismissal should refer to the Academic Dismissal section of this catalog for the proper procedures.

Legal Limitations of Practice: The practice of teaching is regulated by state laws. Questions concerning licensure in a specific state should be directed to that state’s board of education. Students may be required to submit a national criminal background check before being placed in field experiences or as a student-teacher. The cost of the investigation is borne by the student.

Program Completion Requirements: The education programs require completion of all methods coursework, a teacher work sample, and the presentation of a professional standards-based portfolio. A successful student-teaching experience as well as passing scores on all licensure examinations required by the Virginia Department of Education are also necessary for all teaching licensure programs.

The university does not accept credit on standardized tests, such as CLEP, toward graduate coursework required for any graduate education program. (CLEP or standardized test credits may be accepted for undergraduate coursework needed for licensure requirements.)

Upon completion of all licensure requirements, students submit an Application for Initial Virginia Teacher Licensure to the School of Sciences, Mathematics, and Education and are then recommended by the faculty to the Commonwealth of Virginia for endorsement.

NOTE: Once admitted to a master’s program, a maximum of five years from the student's first semester of coursework is allowed for completion.