Master of Teaching - 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.
The School of Education and Human Development is proud to offer a Master of Teaching (M.T.) degree and teacher licensure with an endorsement in Elementary Education (grades preK-6). This is a post-graduate program for those who have already completed an undergraduate degree.
Mission Statement
UVA Elementary Teachers Are:
- Knowledgeable about:
- Children and their developmental trajectories across the elementary years
- The range of subject areas included in the elementary school day
- Evidence-based pedagogical methods in different subject areas
- Formative and summative assessment practices to monitor and support student learning
- Committed to teaching all children and working in collaboration with their families and guardians
- Reflective about their teaching and engaged in continuous professional development and instructional improvement
- Collaborative with colleagues, in service of children, schools, communities, and the profession
- Dedicated to advocating for equity and social justice in their classrooms, schools, and communities
Applicants to this program should attend to this mission statement when writing the required goal statement.
Getting Started
Download our Elementary Education Advising Guide
Subscribe to our pre-teacher education list serv
Fellowship Opportunities
The School offers a range of fellowship and scholarship opportunities.
U.S. News & World Report
Best Elementary Education Program in the U.S.
In The News
Curry School Grad Awarded Fulbright Scholarship
Jenné Nurse '17 was recently awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to teach English in South Africa.
Read MoreElementary Education Rated No. 3 in the Nation
The Curry School's elementary teaching master’s program ranks No. 3 in the nation, according to an internet ranking site.
Read MoreClass of 2018: Cameron Fleming
"From the beginning I was connected to great mentors and professors who helped me throughout my time at Curry."
Learn MoreProgram Details
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Admission Requirements
1. Possess an undergraduate degree prior to matriculation. Applicants are expected to have a minimum GPA of 2.7 with a 3.0 GPA in the major, though applicants not meeting this requirement will be considered. Faculty review applications holistically and will consider academic record, goals, relevant experience, and letters of recommendation.
2. Meet (or be prepared to meet) general studies requirements:
- 6 credits of mathematics
- 6 credits of natural science in two different disciplines (astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, geology, or physics)
- 6 credits of composition/writing (includes courses in any subject area that require at least two writing assignments in English totaling 4,000 words [20 pages] or more)
- 3 credits of United State history
- 3 credits of humanities
- 3 credits of social sciences (child psychology/development recommended)
3. Provide test scores per the listed guidelines
*We highly encourage applicants to spend time in elementary schools prior to applying.
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Application Due Date
Prospective students must complete the online application for admission and submit supporting materials, including official transcripts and test scores by April 1. Admissions are rolling, and decisions will be returned approximately 6 weeks after the application is submitted. Prospective students are encouraged to submit their applications by February 1. Applications reviewed after February 1 will be considered on a space-available basis.
**All application fees have been waived for PGMT students applying to start in Summer 2021.**
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Early Admission for UVA Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students at UVA may apply early to the Master of Teaching program during the 2nd or 3rd year.
Students can apply early through the EHD undergraduate application. Students admitted to the program will be guaranteed admission to the PGMT program as long as they meet all program prerequisites outlined in the PGMT Admissions Requirements above. These include:
- Completing all content studies coursework
- Completing a course in child development
- Providing required test scores
- Maintaining cumulative and major GPAs as noted above
Questions about early admissions, content studies, and test scores: contact Jillian McGraw, Director of Teacher Education.
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Course Overview
The summer 2021 cohort will begin June 3, 2021. Mandatory orientation will take place June 3-4. Classes begin June 7.
Summer (early June through August)
- Orientation: June 3-4, 2021
- Classes Run: June 7, 2021 - August 6, 2021
Coursework:
- EDLF 5010: Childhood Learning and Development*
- EDIS 5000: Exceptional Learner**
- EDIS 5010: Curriculum and Instruction for Elementary and Special Education
- EDIS 5221: Reading Foundations
- EDIS 5800: Understanding Educational Contexts
*UVA undergrads applying to the program are encouraged to take EDLF 5010 during the fall of 3rd or 4th year if their schedules allow. UVA students may substitute EDLF 3150 (Introduction to Child Growth and Development) or PSYC 2700 (Child Psychology). Students from other undergraduate institutions may be able to substitute learning and development coursework for this requirement. Contact Jillian McGraw to verify course substitutions.
**UVA undergrads applying to the program are encouraged to take EDIS 5000 during 3rd or 4th year if their schedules allow. UVA students may substitute EDIS 3020 (Exceptional Learner). Students from other undergraduate institutions may be able to substitute introductory special education coursework for this requirement. Contact Jillian McGraw to verify course substitutions.
Additional Requirements due August 15: (send copies of certificates and score reports to [email protected])
- Pass the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment
- Pass the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects
- Complete the Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognizing, Reporting, and Responding for Educators module
- Complete the VDOE Dyslexia Awareness module
- Complete the Use of Restraint and Seclusion module
- Complete the Virginia State and Local Civic Education module
- Provide evidence of hands-on training in CPR, AED, and First Aid
- Complete the Instructional Technology modules (information will be provided during the program)
Fall (August through December)
- School Placements Begin: August 9, 2021 (pending school division calendar approval; date may change if teacher report later than August 9)
Coursework:
- EDIS 5011: Classroom Management and Behavioral Assessment
- EDIS 5310: Differentiating Reading Instruction
- EDIS 5320: Mathematics in the Elementary School
- EDIS 5330: Science in the Elementary School
- EDIS 5851: Content Area Seminar - Elementary Language Arts
- EDIS 5861: Clinical Experience in Elementary Education
Additional Requirements:
Spring
- School Placements Begin: The first day schools are back in session in January (based on individual school division calendars)
Coursework:
- EDIS 5340: Social Studies in the Elementary School
- EDIS 5871: Seminar: Teaching Internship - Elementary Education
- EDIS 5881: Teaching Internship - Elementary Education
- EDIS 6990: Professional Field Project - Elementary
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Public Professional Licensure Disclosures
As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).
Upon completion of the Master of Teaching program at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state. Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))
Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).
The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php.