School of Teacher Education and Leadership

Undergraduate

Dr. Amanda Bozack*, Director

http://www.radford.edu/content/cehd/home/teacher-ed.html

Teacher Education Programs

Students seeking licensure to teach in early childhood education/early childhood special education, hearing impairment (preK-12) special education - general curriculum (K-12) or special education: general and adapted curriculum (K-12), and elementary or middle school education must major in Interdisciplinary Studies. Students who seek licensure to teach in secondary schools (grades 6-12) complete an approved Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in a specific major and also complete the Education Minor and Professional Education Coursework.

General information regarding admission and retention in the Teacher Education Programs can be found here .

Academic Advising

All students are assigned a professional advisor and/or faculty advisor upon entering the university. Students are encouraged to consult with their professional and/or academic advisor regularly to facilitate smooth progress towards completion of their degree.

Graduate

Graduate Program

Graduate studies in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership are designed to prepare graduate students for administrative, supervisory and related instructional and non-instructional positions in Virginia’s educational system. Each of the five separate degrees requires a series of courses unique to that discipline. Careful selection of electives (if applicable) and supporting courses permits a graduate student to develop an individualized program of study with an emphasis on one or more of the following areas: evidence-based teaching skills and knowledge (pre-school through adult education); preparation for various professional areas within education; initial licensure for those not yet holding a Virginia license to teach; additional endorsements for teachers already licensed; preparation for and in doctoral studies.

Education, M.S.

Dr. Amanda Bozack, Director, School of Teacher Education and Leadership
Dr. Kristan Morrison, Graduate Program Coordinator

Admission Requirements

Graduate Program Application Requirements

For those seeking initial teacher licensure, admission to the Teacher Education Program is required prior to field experiences, including passing scores on required teacher exams.

Comprehensive Examination and Oral Examination

Students completing the M.S. degree in Education must complete comprehensive written and oral examinations as requirements for graduation. The written examination may take various forms (to be explained upon admission/matriculation). The oral examination will consist of a defense/presentation of this written product to a committee of three faculty (minimum). It is the student’s responsibility to schedule the exam in compliance with the procedures, forms, and timeline outlined by the Office of Graduate Affairs.

Literacy Education, M.S.

Dr. Amanda Bozack, Director, School of Teacher Education and Leadership
Dr. Katie Hilden, Graduate Program Coordinator

The Literacy Education (K-12) Program leads to a Master of Science degree with a potential licensure endorsement as a Reading Specialist and requires 30 semester hours of graduate work. The Reading Specialist Endorsement requires at least three years of successful classroom teaching experience in which the teaching of reading was an important responsibility.

Admission Requirements

Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 overall;
Send official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework including degrees conferred;
Submit an essay (typed, double spaced, three pages in length), that includes the following:
- a. Past work experiences and interests influenced your decision to apply for the reading education program;
- b. Describe your short- and long-term goals and career aspirations as they relate to the reading program. Essays will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee as part of the application;
References should be from two individuals who can address your history of successful teaching experiences with students and your potential for academic and professional success in the field of literacy education;
Submit a copy of your teaching license and a resume.

Educational Leadership, M.S.

Dr. Amanda Bozack, Director, School of Teacher Education and Leadership
Dr. Brian Kitts, Chair & Graduate Program Coordinator

The Educational Leadership Program offers a 33-hour Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership and a graduate certificate option for those who already possess an M.S. in an education-related field.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better;
Three references, one of which is from most recent principal, one from current superintendent or designee;
Writing sample to be completed which details applicant’s philosophy of teaching, learning and administration garnered over the years of classroom teaching experience (two pages typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, with one-inch margins)
Resume.

Special Education M.S.

Dr. Amanda Bozack, Director, School of Teacher Education and Leadership
Dr. Karen Douglas, Graduate Program Coordinator

Admission Requirements

Minimum GPA of 2.75 in undergraduate coursework and 3.0 in graduate work, if taken
Official transcripts from all universities attended
Three letters of professional recommendation or three recommendation forms from the Office of Graduate Admissions with 2-3 additional paragraphs in the comments section. All recommendations must speak to the applicant’s success and capacity as a teacher of students with and/or without disabilities and potential for success as a graduate student and professional in the field of special education
Personal letter of application/essay to the special education program area (see program section)
Resume documenting all education and volunteer, internship and work experiences with individuals with disabilities.

Compensatory application materials and interview required to assess applicants who do not meet all entrance requirements. Rolling admission but applications must be received November 1, April 1 and July 1 for the following semester. For those seeking initial teacher licensure, admission to the Teacher Education Program is required prior to field experiences if not currently teaching.

Doctor of Education, Ed.D.

Dr. Amanda Bozack, Director, School of Teacher Education and Leadership
Dr. Sarah Capello, Graduate Program Coordinator

Admission Requirements

Prospective students will apply at the same time for both degree-seeking status at Radford University and admission to the proposed Doctor of Education program, through the office of graduate affairs. To meet institution requirements, applicants must submit:

An online Application for Graduate Admission;
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities other than Radford University, from which they have earned a degree or post-baccalaureate course credit. An unofficial transcript is sufficient from all institutions where transfer credit was earned and may be uploaded directly to the application;
International applicants whose native language is not English must achieve an acceptable score on the TOEFL examination. They must also submit an approved credential report for coursework completed outside the United States. Minimal acceptable TOEFL scores:
- Paper Based 575
- Internet Based 88-89
- Computer Based 230

To meet program requirements, prospective students must:

Hold a master’s degree;
Submit three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential as a doctoral student:
- at least one must be from a current or most recent employer;
- we encourage one from a professor or instructor familiar with applicant’s academic work;
Submit a current full resume;
Submit a writing sample of no more than 1,500 words that addresses the following:
- What is your purpose for pursuing a doctoral degree at Radford University specifically?
- What is an issue or problem in your school or district that you might be interested in addressing through your dissertation work?
- How do you currently approach improvement in your work (feel free to give an example), and how would you like to grow as an improvement leader through your time at Radford University?
Complete a personal interview with program faculty.

The program will not require the Graduate Record Examination for applicants. A maximum of one half of the total graduate hours in the degree program may be transferred from another Radford University program or an outside institution. No transfer credit may be counted toward required courses.

Programs

Degree

*Programs may have different REAL designations based on the concentration(s) selected. Click on the major for more details.

Interdisciplinary Studies, B.S.*

Academic Minor

To graduate with a minor, a student must have a 2.0 or higher GPA in all courses required for the minor, and should be officially registered for the minor at least one semester prior to graduation. Courses used to fulfill major or minor requirements cannot be used to fulfill concentrations or option requirements within Interdisciplinary Studies.

Master’s

A degree represents the academic level of a program and the general category into which it falls. For example: Master of Arts, Master of Science, etc. At Radford University, the term “Arts” in a graduate degree generally implies a language and thesis requirement. The minimum number of semester hours for a Radford University graduate degree is 30.

Doctoral

Education, Ed.D.

Certificate

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is generally a series of 15-18 hours of graduate level coursework related to a focused academic topic or competency area. A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate may enhance the education of matriculated (degree seeking) students as well as provide continuing education to non-matriculated (non-degree seeking) students, generally in a specialized or emerging field.