Education

The Department of Education offers four majors (elementary education, exceptional education, education, and education studies) and two minors (education and exceptional education). The elementary education major leads to teacher licensure in grades pK-6; see the elementary education section for more information. The exceptional education major leads to special education teacher licensure (general curriculum, K-12); see the exceptional education section for more information. The education major leads to licensure in secondary, arts, and language content areas when combined with a second major in the content area. See the education section for more information. The education studies major, which provides a broad overview of the foundation and issues in education, does not result in teacher licensure, so it is not intended for students preparing to teach in public K-12 schools. Instead, it is designed for students interested in education-related careers; see the education studies section for more information.

The department offers a major in education, which when combined with a second major in a licensure area, is designed to meet the requirements prescribed by the Virginia Department of Education in one of several licensure areas, including grades 6-12 social science/history, math, English, biology, chemistry and physics, as well as pK-12 Spanish, Latin, and music (choral or instrumental) endorsements. The required education courses must be combined appropriately with the general education courses and with the requisite courses in the student’s content major program. All courses in the student’s second major must be completed before student teaching.

The department offers a minor in exceptional education for students who want to pursue licensure in special education in addition to an elementary education major. To be eligible for dual licensure in elementary and special education, students must complete the exceptional education minor with the elementary education major. To be eligible for dual licensure in secondary and exceptional education, they must complete the exceptional education major, their content area major, and the secondary education minor

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 Department of Education that involve fieldwork must undergo a criminal background check each academic year, which costs $75 and is billable to the student's account.  

The Virginia Collegiate Professional License also requires candidates to successfully complete required standardized competency assessments. Information on these assessments is available in the education department and on 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, cultural competency, 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. Students most commonly apply to the Teacher Preparation Program during the spring semester of their sophomore year.

Programs that lead to teaching licensure in the secondary, arts, and language areas are available in the following licensure endorsement areas: grades 6-12 social science/history, math, English, biology, chemistry and physics, as well as pK-12 Spanish, Latin, and music (choral and instrumental).

In the college catalog, each department with secondary, arts, or language endorsements in education lists the specific course of study that must be followed in conjunction with the education major. Ideally, EDUC 220  should be taken in the first year. For admission to the program and for licensure in Virginia, candidates must show both literacy and math profiency. For licensure, candidates must pass their subject specific Praxis exam(s). They must also complete a series of online trainings and become CPR certified.

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 education and takes place in the 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 220 in some instances)
• Evidence of math and literacy proficiency.
• Positive evaluation from the student's coordinator, and from the additional major area for Secondary, Arts, and Language students.
• Records and results from any RMC academic integrity or judicial violations.
• Dispositions Self-Assessment
• Recent RMC Lesson Plan
• 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 RMCEducation@rmc.edu.

Requirements for Application to Student Teach 

• Submit a complete application by August 1st before the senior year
• Must have been accepted to 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 student's coordinator, and from the additional major area for Secondary, Arts, and Language students.
• 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 Certificate
• Cultural Competency Training Certificate
• 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
• 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.