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Become a Teacher

There are many routes to becoming a teacher. Start here to discover the pathway that fits your goals.

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The School of Education and Human Development's Teacher Education program is consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation. We have formal teaching degrees that lead to teacher licensure in the state of Virginia, as well as alternative routes to teacher licensure through our offerings of graduate certificates, course series, individual courses and other professional learning opportunities. Current educators can also pursue coursework that leads to recertification points as well as add-on endorsements to their existing teaching licenses.

View all of our teaching degrees that lead to initial licensure here:

Undergraduate Teaching Degrees Graduate Teaching Degrees

Alternative Routes to Virginia Licensure

If you want to earn a license to teach in a Virginia public school (preK-12), but a full-time teacher education program isn’t right for you, the UVA School of Education and Human Development offers individualized advising and flexible online coursework designed to help you meet the requirements you need for the alternative route to licensure.

Though you may be eligible for hire on a Provisional License before you have completed these requirements, in order to obtain the 10-year professional, renewable teaching license, you will need to meet the requirements within the following categories:

Endorsement Requirements

Endorsement course requirements relate to the specific content area you are interested in teaching. Endorsement course requirements are typically met through a person's undergraduate degree, but if there are any courses you are missing from this category, you can take these at any accredited college or university. 

Final licensure requirements are determined and approved by the Virginia Department of Education. Please partner with your district HR/licensure expert as you move forward with your next steps.


For information on the many areas of endorsement you can pursue, and guidance on the endorsement, reach out to the contact at the bottom of this page.

VDOE Endorsement Requirements

Review the VDOE-specific endorsement course requirement documentation.

Professional Studies Requirements

Professional studies coursework relates to the more pedagogical aspects of the teaching license. The requirements will vary depending on the specific endorsement you are seeking. UVA provides these courses online for various endorsement areas.

Professional Coursework Series

View the UVA School of Education and Human Development's flexible online coursework offerings that help you meet these Professional Studies course requirements.

Professional Teacher's Assessments and Statutory Requirements

Refer to the VDOE’s webpage describing the assessments for the specific endorsement areas.


Apart from completing the coursework and assessment requirements above, below is a list of other mandatory requirements needed to obtain the 10-year professional, renewable teacher's license:

Field Experience Requirements

In a traditional teacher education program, there are multiple field experiences, including a “student teaching” period. Those seeking licensure through the alternative route must complete one year of full-time teaching (in their specific endorsement area) in an accredited Virginia public or nonpublic school. The hiring institution will apply for a 3-year, non-renewable provisional license on your behalf; you then have those three years to complete any unmet licensure requirements. You do not need to have fulfilled all other requirements before doing your field experience.

Teacher Education Programs

Ready to make a difference in the lives of students? At the UVA School of Education and Human Development, our teacher education programs prepare you to lead with confidence, creativity, and care. Whether you're starting your journey or advancing your skills, you'll find flexible pathways, hands-on learning, and a community that supports your growth every step of the way. Join us, and become the teacher who inspires the next generation.

VDOE Become a Teacher Website

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) launched a Become a Teacher website to support professionals in Virginia on their path to becoming an educator.

VDOE Become a Teacher Website

Undergraduate Teaching Degrees

Explore our four-year undergraduate degree programs that lead to initial licensure in Virginia.

Program listing results

    1. Early Childhood Education

      Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of students? Early childhood teachers have the opportunity to guide preK-3rd grade students during one of the most critical periods of their development.

      Program Level

      • Undergraduate

      Program Type

      • Full Time

      Estimated Length

      4 years (or 2 academic years after admission into the program)

      Location

      • In-Person
    2. Elementary Education

      Do you want to be an elementary school teacher working with prek-6th grade students? Our top-ranked elementary education program prepares teachers to support the academic and social-emotional growth of young learners.

      Program Level

      • Undergraduate

      Program Type

      • Full Time

      Estimated Length

      4 years (or 2 academic years after admission into the program)

      Location

      • In-Person
    3. English as a Second Language

      Interested in working with English learners in preK-12 schools? Join our top-ranked teacher education program!

      Program Level

      • Undergraduate

      Program Type

      • Full Time

      Estimated Length

      4 years (or 2 academic years after admission into the program)

      Location

      • In-Person
    4. Secondary Education

      Do you want to be a secondary school teacher working with 6th-12th grade students? Our top-ranked secondary education program prepares teachers to support the academic and social-emotional growth of secondary school-aged youth.

      Program Level

      • Undergraduate

      Program Type

      • Full Time

      Estimated Length

      4 years (or 2 academic years after admission into the program)

      Location

      • In-Person
    5. Teaching special education is a truly rewarding career that is in high demand. Our top-ranked special education program prepares you to be the knowledgeable, compassionate classroom advocate that students with disabilities need.

      Program Level

      • Undergraduate

      Program Type

      • Full Time

      Estimated Length

      4 years (or 2 academic years after admission into the program)

      Location

      • In-Person

Master of Teaching Programs (M.T.)

Explore our one-year Master of Teaching (M.T.) programs that lead to initial licensure in Virginia.

Program listing results

    1. Elementary Education

      Do you want to be an elementary school teacher working with students grades preK-6? Our top-ranked program for elementary education prepares teachers to support the academic and social-emotional growth of young learners.

      Program Level

      • Graduate

      Program Type

      • Full Time

      Location

      • In-Person
    2. English as a Second Language

      This part-time, online program of study allows you to earn licensure with endorsement in English as a Second Language (PreK-12).

      Program Level

      • Graduate

      Program Type

      • Part Time

      Location

      • Online

      Interested in working with English Learners in preK-12 schools? Join our top-ranked teacher education program! In-person in Charlottesville, VA.

      Program Level

      • Graduate

      Program Type

      • Full Time

      Location

      • In-Person
    3. English Education

      Do you want to be an English teacher in middle or high school, teaching reading comprehension, grammar, literature, and writing? Our top-ranked M.T. in English Education program prepares teachers to cultivate student success from day one.

      Program Level

      • Graduate

      Program Type

      • Full Time

      Location

      • In-Person
    4. Mathematics Education

      Do you want to be a mathematics teacher in middle or high school? Apply now to join our Teacher Education community, consistently ranked among the best secondary education programs in the country.

      Program Level

      • Graduate

      Program Type

      • Full Time

      Location

      • In-Person
    5. Science Education

      Do you want to be a science teacher in middle or high school? Apply now to join our Teacher Education community, consistently ranked among the best secondary education programs in the country.

      Program Level

      • Graduate

      Program Type

      • Full Time

      Location

      • In-Person
    6. Social Studies Education

      Do you want to be a Social Studies teacher in middle or high school, teaching history, civics, economics, and geography? Apply now to join our Teacher Education community, consistently ranked among the best secondary education programs in the country.

      Program Level

      • Graduate

      Program Type

      • Full Time

      Location

      • In-Person
    7. Do you want to be teacher for children with mild to moderate disabilities? Join UVA School of Education and Human Development's top-ranked program for a path to a truly rewarding and important career—and one that is in high demand.

      Program Level

      • Graduate

      Program Type

      • Full Time

      Location

      • In-Person

      Interested in working with students with disabilities in a general curriculum K-12 setting? Join UVA’s top-ranked part-time and online teacher education program.

      Program Level

      • Graduate

      Program Type

      • Part Time

      Location

      • Online

Teacher Education Programs News

Admission & Enrollment

For general questions about the admission process, contact the Office of Admission & Enrollment