The education department offers a minor in education which is a sequential program designed to enable qualified students to enter teaching at the middle/secondary levels, exceptional education, or in music. The required education courses must be combined appropriately with specified general education courses and with the requisite courses in the student's major program. The department also offers a major in Elementary Education which leads to teacher licensure in grades pK-6; see Elementary Major section for more information.

The education department offers a state approved and a nationally accredited program. Randolph-Macon College's Teacher Preparation Program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) which certifies that the professional education program has provided evidence that the program adheres to CAEP's quality principles.

All requirements and coursework fulfill current state guidelines for teacher licensure at the time of catalog publication. All students who are taking courses in the Education Department which involve fieldwork must undergo a criminal background check each academic year, which costs $50 and is billable to the student's account.

Teacher Licensure

These following structured programs will enable students to meet the requirements prescribed by the Virginia State Board of Education for the Collegiate Professional License in grades 6-12 (middle/secondary) with an endorsement in the individual student's teaching field (major): Social Science/History, Math, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Exceptional education, French, Latin, German, Spanish, and Music (choral and instrumental) are grades K-12 endorsements. The Virginia Collegiate Professional License also requires candidates to successfully complete required standardized competency assessments, which include the Praxis Core Math Exam and the Virginia Communication and Literary Assessment (VCLA). Special education candidates must pass the Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE). Secondary candidates must pass their subject specific Praxis exams. Information on these assessments is available in the education department and at the Virginia Department of Education website. All teaching candidates must also be certified in first aid, CPR, and AED by January of their senior year. All teaching candidates must complete dyslexia awareness training, child abuse/neglect training, and behavior intervention training (through the VDOE website).

Advance planning is essential for students who wish to participate in the teacher preparation program. Students preparing to teach should consult with their advisors and the education department faculty during their first year in order to begin planning a course of study which is in accordance with the requirements of the teacher preparation program.

The first course in the education minor is EDUC 220, the prerequisite for all other education courses. By March of their sophomore year, students must have taken the Praxis Core Mathematics Assessment and VCLA. These are required for admission to the Teacher Preparation Program.

Secondary Teaching Endorsement Grades 6 12

Programs for the middle/secondary level are available in the following areas: biology, physics, chemistry, English, French, Spanish, German, history/social science, Latin, and mathematics.

In the college catalog, each department (with secondary endorsements in education) lists the specific course of study that must be followed in conjunction with the education minor. Ideally, EDUC 220 should be taken in the fall of the second year. For admission to the program and for licensure in Virginia, candidates must achieve passing scores on Praxis Core Math exam and the VCLA. For licensure, candidates must pass their subject specific Praxis exam(s).

Exceptional Education: General Curriculum, Grades K-12

Students may choose any major for the Exceptional Education minor program. Starting education programs as early as possible is advisable. In most cases, students who begin taking their education courses in the fall term of their second year have adequate time to complete the program. For admission to the program and licensure in Virginia, candidates must achieve passing scores on the Praxis Core Math exam and the VCLA. For licensure, candidates must pass the Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE).

Music Education Teaching Endorsement, Grades PreK-12

Students majoring in music and planning to minor in education for the purpose of state certification must complete MUSC 355 and MUSC 356. Students should refer to the required coursework for a major in music with teacher certification.

Fieldwork

All education courses include fieldwork in local public school settings. For all fieldwork, including student teaching, students must provide their own transportation. Criminal background checks are required each fall semester.

Restricted Courses - Senior Year

Senior-level courses are restricted to those who have been admitted to the TPP. Student teaching block courses are restricted to those who have been admitted to student teaching.

Students who participate in this program must complete all other degree requirements prior to the final semester of their senior year. Students are not allowed to take any additional coursework during the student teaching semester. Student teaching provides the capstone experience for the education minor and takes place spring semester of the senior year.

Requirements for Application to Teacher Preparation Program

• Submit a complete application by the appropriate deadline
• 2.8 cumulative GPA; major and minor GPAs will also be reviewed to ensure the student is making progress toward the minimum 2.8 GPA required to student teach.
• Completion of at least EDUC 220 with a C- or better (or concurrent enrollment in EDUC 200 in some instances)
• Pass Praxis Core Math Assessment or qualifying SAT/ACT score
• Pass VCLA
• Positive evaluation from the Education Department
• Positive evaluation from faculty member outside of the department
• Records and results from any RMC academic integrity or judicial violation
• Dispositions Self-Assessment
• Recent RMC Lesson Plan
• Diversity Reflection
• Clinical Evaluation from fieldwork

Late and incomplete applications will not be accepted. Ineligibility for the program due to incomplete or late applications is not appealable. Some students may apply during the next application cycle.

Questions about applying to the program? Please contact Dr. April Marchetti, Education Department Chair, at Education@rmc.edu.

Requirements for Application to Student Teach

• Submit a complete application by September 15th, senior year
• Must be an existing member of the Teacher Preparation Program
• 2.8 cumulative, major, and minor GPA
• Completion of all required education courses and affiliated coursework with a C- or better
• Negative TB Test Results
• Positive evaluation from the Education Department
• First Aid, CPR and AED Certification
• SVEA Membership documentation
• Dyslexia Awareness Training Certificate
• Behavior Intervention Support Training Certificate
• Certification of Child Abuse and Neglect Training
• Findings/results of a required background check as well as records from any RMC academic integrity or judicial violation
• Dispositions Self-Assessment
• Recent RMC Lesson Plan
• Diversity Reflection
• Clinical Evaluation from fieldwork

Late and incomplete applications will not be accepted. Ineligibility for student teaching due to incomplete or late applications is not appealable. Such students may apply during the next application cycle.

Application Process

All applications will be reviewed by the Teacher Preparation Committee. Students will receive a decision letter from the Education Department Chair and TPC chair within three weeks of submission.

Students who are not admitted to the TPP during their sophomore year may reapply as juniors. However, students may find it difficult to complete all required coursework for licensure within four years. Please speak with your advisor for more information if this applies to you.