Bachelor of Arts in Education - Elementary Education

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

• Submit the letter of intent after at least 15 credit hours are earned at the VCCS, prior to graduation from the VCCS, and prior to applying for admission to CNU;

• Earn a transfer associate degree;

• Earn a minimum GPA of 3.2 for your associate degree;

• Complete all associate degree requirements (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College-Level Examination Program, and Cambridge are permissible) at the VCCS;

• Have at least one semester (fall/spring) with full-time enrollment (min. 12 credits);

• Maintain continuous enrollment in all non-summer terms from the point of registering their intent to transfer until the associate degree has been conferred;

• Transfer to Christopher Newport in the semester designated on this Intent; and

• Formally apply for admission to Christopher Newport and follow all admission processes, requirements, and established deadlines (transfer.cnu.edu).

• Please note that CNU has many different agreements with VCCS schools, so please review our website for agreements with your specific school: https://cnu.edu/admission/transfer/agreement/

• See the VCCS Transfer Programs page for more details in our Guaranteed Admission Agreement.

• This transfer guide shows an optimal path to a bachelor's degree in elementary education at CNU. Completing the coursework above will position you to transfer to CNU in elementary education with junior standing and the potential to graduate in two years. If you complete the associate degree but haven't taken all of the recommended courses, you may still be able to pursue an elementary education degree at CNU, but your time to graduation may be impacted.

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: https://cnu.edu/admission/transfer/

• Register Intent to Transfer: After 15 credits are earned at the community college but prior to graduation through Letter of Intent

• Admission Application: By late July for Fall or mid-December for Spring here.

• Financial Aid: https://cnu.edu/financialaid/

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Priority date of March 1 at studentaid.gov

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and CNU within your first year. College Connect available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• A BAEd in Elementary Education is right for you if you:

• Want to teach in grades Pre-K-6;

• Have a passion for working with early learners;

• Want to build nurturing environments; and

• Believe that a good teacher shapes the future.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Completion of a Virginia Community College System (VCCS) transfer-oriented degree program (Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts & Science) will satisfy the CNU general education component of the undergraduate curriculum with the exception of the Second Language (foreign language) Literacy Requirement.

• Dual Enrollment -- Completion of Associate Degree in HS: Same as above.

• Credit for Prior Learning: https://cnu.edu/admission/transfer/credit/ Credit previously awarded at another college or university for AP examinations does not automatically transfer to Christopher Newport. AP scores should be submitted directly to the university from College Board for evaluation. Scores are evaluated according to the CNU Undergraduate Catalog in place at the time of the student's initial matriculation at Christopher Newport.

• Catalog Year: 2025-2026; Catalog year is assigned to each student upon matriculation to CNU.

Is This College Right For Me?

• We think 5,000 students is just the right size. We're large enough to offer a wide variety of opportunities, but we're small enough that you won't feel like you are just a number.

• 90% of our faculty have the highest degree in their field but more important is their passion for engaging and advising students inside and outside the classroom.

• More than half of our classes have 19 or fewer students and less than 5% have 50 students or more! Professors know our students by name and expect them to be engaged each class.

• We enjoy a wonderful sense of community here, and our Honor Code is taken very seriously. We have a speaking tradition and you'll find that students and faculty here will hold the door for you and look you in the eye as you walk by.

• Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org

Did You Know That…

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at CNU?

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org

Program Successes & Highlights

• CNU's Teacher Preparation Program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

• NCTQ awarded CNU's Teacher Preparation Program with an A+ for how well it prepares elementary teachers to teach reading

• 100% of graduates receive job offers

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• We feel that a holistic review that encompasses all aspects of your background and application is the most effective method for finding students for whom Christopher Newport is the right fit. Typically, competitive transfer applicants present at least 12-15 credit hours of college-level credit and an earned cumulative GPA of 2.8.

• We strongly encourage the completion of one college-level mathematics and English course. Standardized test scores are encouraged but not required.

• CNU has many different admission agreements with different GPA requirements/minimums for students from the Virginia Community Colleges so be sure to review them here: https://cnu.edu/admission/transfer/agreement/

• Learn more about applying at www.TransferVirginia.org

Do More With Your Degree!

• The Virginia license in elementary education allows you to add on other endorsements by passing the Praxis II in other subject areas.

• Your Virginia teaching license allows you to teach in 44 other states.

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• Passing score on the Praxis II Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Test (5001)

• Passing score on the Praxis: Teaching Reading Elementary test (5205)

• Completion of required VDOE licensure modules

• First Aid, CPR, and AED training