Studying Education at MBU
MBU offers many degrees, certificates, and license pathways to prepare you for a career in education. Whether you’re looking to get a teaching license or expand your knowledge in the field of education, Mary Baldwin has you covered!
Gaining a Teaching License At MBU
Teacher Education Program
The Teacher Education Program (TEP) provides undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students the necessary training to pursue teaching licensure by Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Standards.
Students pursuing licensure must meet our accreditation standards by accomplishing TEP’s Initial or Advanced Licensure Levels of Progression. After meeting these requirements and finishing their MBU program, students will be prepared to apply for licensure through the VDOE.
Students don’t have to be Commonwealth of Virginia residents to apply to TEP, but they will be required to comply with all Commonwealth of Virginia competencies, assessments, and Standards of Learning for their area of endorsement.
Licensure for Undergraduate Applicants
Education Majors
If you’re interested in Elementary or Special Education licensure, the first step is to apply to Mary Baldwin and declare either major. In addition to the major, you must also apply to TEP with a 2.5 GPA. Upon completion of your degree program and TEP requirements, you’ll be prepared to apply for teacher licensure.
Education Minors
Education minors such as English, History & Social Science, Math, or Science can be taken alongside select majors or co-minors to pursue middle or secondary level licensure. Education minors must apply to TEP and complete its requirements, in addition to taking extra coursework, to pursue licensure.*
Accelerated Bachelors to Masters
Accelerated programs save you time and money in earning a dual degree. Students pursuing a bachelor’s and education minor can apply to the BA to MAT to prepare for initial licensure. Elementary or Special Education Majors can pursue the BA to MEd program to apply for initial licensure and additional endorsements. Both programs require TEP admission to pursue licensure.
*All education minors can be taken on a non-licensure track, so students don’t have to apply to TEP or complete additional coursework. See Non-Licensure Programs to learn more.
Licensure for Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Applicants
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure (PBTL)
If you’ve completed a Bachelor’s degree with at least a GPA of 2.5 but wish to pursue teaching licensure without doing graduate coursework, apply to MBU’s PBTL program! You’ll complete undergraduate-level courses to prepare you for the initial teaching endorsement you desire. You’ll automatically be admitted to TEP upon acceptance to the PBTL program.
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
Interested in pursuing an initial license while earning your master’s degree? MBU’s MAT program prepares you for initial licensure in one of several endorsement areas. As long as you have a GPA of 3.0 or better and English language proficiency, you’re set to apply! You’ll automatically be admitted to TEP upon acceptance to the MAT program.
Master of Education (MEd)
If you’re a licensed Commonwealth of Virginia teacher but want endorsements in other concentrations, MBU’s MEd is right for you!* You’ll need a bachelor’s degree, teaching license, GPA of 3.0 or better, and English language proficiency to apply. You’ll automatically be admitted to TEP upon acceptance to the MEd program.
If you have a provisional license, talk to an advisor about pursuing an endorsement through the MEd program.
*See the Licenses chart below for a full list of MEd endorsement programs. For a list of MEd programs that neither require nor prepare you for licensure, see Non-Licensure Programs.
Practicums and Student-Teaching
Students in TEP will be required to complete various practicums and student teaching experiences dependent upon whether they are seeking initial or additional licensure endorsements. While students may complete practicums or student-teaching in any accredited school, they must follow Commonwealth of Virginia guidelines.
Licenses Available
This chart displays every teaching licensure path that MBU offers, including initial licenses, add-ons, and endorsements. To learn more about each endorsement requirement and curriculum, click each “x” to visit the corresponding catalog page.
| License Level | Initial | Initial | Initial | Additional |
| Licenses / Endorsements | UG | PBTL | MAT | MEd |
| Elementary Education PK-6 | x | x | x | x |
| Special Education General Curriculum K-12 | x | x | x | x |
| Middle Education: History & Social Science | x | x | x | |
| Middle Education: Language Arts/English | x | x | x | |
| Middle Education: Mathematics | x | x | x | |
| Middle Education: Science | x | x | x | |
| Secondary Biology | x | x | ||
| Secondary English | x | x | x | |
| Secondary History & Social Sciences | x | x | x | |
| Secondary Mathematics | x | x | x | |
| English as a Second Language | x | x | x | x |
| Gifted Education | x** | |||
| Reading Education | x** | |||
| Add-On Special Ed: General Curriculum 6-12 | x* | x* | x* | x** |
| Add-On Special Ed: General Curriculum 6-8 | x* | x* | x* | x** |
| Add-On Special Ed: General Curriculum K-6 | x* | x* | x* | x** |
*Students pursuing initial licensure at the undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and MAT levels can still complete these add-ons. They will be added on to the initial licensure once its been received from the VDOE.
**Students can choose to pursue these additional endorsements through a non-degree curriculum. They won’t receive the MEd degree, but they will fulfill all requirements to apply for the endorsement or add-on through a lessened course load.
Requirements for Additional Endorsements:
- An active or expired state-issued teaching license (earned at the collegiate professional or post-graduate professional levels).
- Adequate general education and professional studies coursework. For students seeking an add-on license endorsement, a transcript review will determine adequate background for the program.
Additional prerequisites may be required. Visit each endorsement’s catalog page for all admission and endorsement requirements (see chart above).
Non-Licensure Seeking Students
MBU’s School of Education offers a wide array of programs for students who don’t seek teaching licensure or additional endorsements, but still want to study in the fields of Education, Applied Behavior Analysis, or Autism Studies. As a result, all the programs below can be taken without applying to the Teacher Education Program.
- Applied Behavioral Analysis and Autism Studies (BA)
- Applied Behavioral Analysis (BA>MS*, MS)
- Autism Studies (MA)
- Curriculum and Instruction (MEd)
- English as a Second Language (MEd)
- Gifted Education (MEd)
- Leadership Through Authentic Learning (MEd)
- Reading Education (MEd)
- Special Education (Non-Licensure Program) (MEd)
*This is an Accelerated Bachelors to Masters program. Please speak with an advisor if you are interested.
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Autism Studies
- Education
- English Education*
- History/Social Science Education*
- Math Education*
- Science Education*
- Special Education
*These minors require specific majors or co-minors for program completion. See their linked catalog pages for details.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (Comprehensive Certificate)
- Applied Behavior Analysis (Post Bachelor’s Certificate, Post-Master’s Certificate)
- International Behavior Analyst Coursework (Certificate)
- Authentic Learning (Certificate)
With these programs, students can elevate their teaching ability, apply for provisional teaching licensure, work in charter and private schools, or pursue education careers outside of teaching
Contact an Advisor
If you have questions about applying to an education program at MBU or creating a path to licensure, reach out to our team of trusted advisors who can provide personal attention to your academic goals.