Five-Year Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Degree Option

In Elementary, Secondary, ESL and Special Education

The intent of this program is to attract well-qualified W&M undergraduate students into teaching. The five-year program leads to licensure in elementary, secondary, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual Education or Special education. This option is intended for W&M undergraduates who cannot complete the currently available undergraduate programs but who wish to become licensed to teach. Primary applicants to this option would include W&M undergraduates who (1) have fewer than three semesters remaining in their programs at the time of application, and (2) who demonstrate that they cannot complete the undergraduate licensure course requirements in the number of semesters remaining in their program because of other requirements in their major or study abroad.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have a W&M undergraduate GPA of 3.0, be pursuing an undergraduate major that qualifies them for a teaching license in Virginia, and complete the Five-Year Program Application, which is available on the School of Education Admissions website.

Admission:

Admission to the program is dependent on space availability. Applications will be accepted as early as April 1 of the junior year and are due no later than August 1, prior to the fall semester of the senior year.

Undergraduate Requirements:

Students admitted to the program option must maintain a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, be in good standing with the College, and take the required professional education courses listed below as part of their undergraduate study:

Additionally, prospective students in the graduate program in Special Education may take:

EDUC F65 Research Methods (3 credits)

EDUC 425 - Trends and Legal Issues in Special Education (3)

Elevation to Master’s Level:

In order to elevate to the Master’s level students must (1) earn a 3.0 GPA in the professional education courses completed as an undergraduate, (2) graduate with their Bachelor’s degree from W&M and (3) Submit scores, or have an appropriate substitution with previously taken ACT or SAT scores, for the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test. The scores must be submitted prior to January 15 of the senior year. Details for substituting previously taken ACT or SAT scores can be found on the Office of Teacher Education and Community Engagement website. Failure to complete any of the requirements listed above may result in removal from the 5th year program.

Continuation in the Master’s Program:

Once elevated to the Master’s portion of the program, students will enroll as full-time students and follow the continuation and program rules of the Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) in Curriculum & Instruction. Students will complete the regular sequence of courses, excluding EDUC F11, and EDUC F12. These courses or their accepted equivalents will have been satisfied in the undergraduate portion of the program.

For more information regarding the Five-Year program, please contact the Office of Academic Programs at 757-221-2317.