Curry School of Education | University of Virginia

Master of Teaching

The Master of Teaching (M.T.) degree is the appropriate degree for individuals who have completed a bachelor's degree and who now wish to qualify for a teaching license. All the M.T. programs require two years of full-time study. These degree programs include academic course work in the specialization field and teacher education experiences leading to initial endorsement in one or more specialities. (Opportunities for applicants to correct deficiencies in liberal arts preparation may also be required based on undergraduate course work.)

M.T. degree programs are available in elementary education (NK-8), special education (behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, and mental retardation), physical education, and secondary education with licensure in English, foreign languages (French, German, Latin, Spanish), mathematics, science (biology, chemistry, earth and space science, general science, physics), or social studies (government, history, social studies).

Admission Requirements  

(Also see Master of Education Admission Requirements .) Post-graduate Master of Teaching applicants seeking teacher licensure must have a B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited institution, with the equivalent of an academic major in the arts and sciences or an appropriate discipline, and an acceptable general studies component. The general studies component should be a well-planned sequence of courses and experiences that must include theoretical and practical knowledge gained from studies in mathematics, natural science, social science, U.S./American history, English, communication, literature, and other humanities. The following are examples of acceptable courses within the specified areas. Natural Science: astronomy, biology, chemistry, environmental science, and physics. Social Science: anthropology, economics, government and foreign affairs, linguistics, psychology, sociology, and Western Civilization (a course in some area of non-Western studies is also desirable). Humanities: English, literature, speech communications, public speaking, debate, drama, art, music, philosophy, religious studies, foreign literature in translation, and foreign language.

Program Requirements  

The following requirements for a Master of Teaching degree must be met:

• Teaching Associateship   In addition to the required courses, individuals must complete a student teaching practicum (teaching associateship) in which they demonstrate ability to integrate the theoretical concepts of education with academic material in a practical teaching experience. This associateship is normally one entire semester in length (EDIS 588: 12 credits).

• Transfer Credit   A maximum of six transfer credits may be counted toward the M.T. degree. All such credit must be approved by the advisor and the Director of Teacher Education.

• Time Limit   No requirements completed more than five years before the M.T. is to be awarded may be credited toward this degree. In special cases, an extension may be granted for emergency circumstances when approved by the advisor, Director of Teacher Education and the Dean's Office.

• Field Project/Comprehensive Examination   All M.T. candidates must complete a field project. In special cases, a master's comprehensive examination may be required.

• Satisfactory Academic Performance in M.T. Programs   All courses required for the B.A. degree or teaching speciality taken at or below the 400-level may be successfully completed with a passing grade of D- or better. Courses in the major must reflect a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better. Courses taken at the 500-level or above require a minimum grade of B- or better. 500-level courses in which a student has performed below the level of B- must be retaken or a substitute professional course taken to replace the deficiency. Course substitution or retaking a course must be approved by the advisor and the Office of Teacher Education. Program deficiencies may require that the student be suspended from the program.

• National Teachers Examination (NTE)   All individuals completing M.T. programs for initial licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia must qualify by passing the Praxis I and II exam. Taking the Praxis exam and appropriate specialty tests are graduation requirements for all M.T. students.

• Application For the Degree   Application for the degree must be submitted to the Curry School of Education during the week of registration for the desired semester. Potential graduates must register during the semester in which they hope to graduate.