Studying Education at MBU
MBU offers many degrees, certificates, and teaching license endorsements 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) prepares undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students for teaching licensure by Virginia Department of Education Standards. Initial licensure and additional endorsements can be obtained through certain Education programs alongside acceptance to TEP and completion of its requirements.
Students do not have to be 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. All licensure students must follow our accreditation standards by meeting TEP’s Initial or Advanced Licensure Levels of Progression.
Licensure for Undergraduate Applicants
Education Majors
If you’re interested in licensure, the first step is to apply to Mary Baldwin. If you maintain at least a 2.5 GPA your first year, then you can declare a major in Elementary Education or Special Education. You must also apply to TEP alongside the major to gain licensure upon completion of your BA.
Education Minors
If you’re interested in obtaining licensure in specific subject areas—such as English, History & Social Science, Math, or Science—pursue an education minor alongside select majors and co-minors to qualify for middle or secondary level licensure.* You must also apply to TEP to earn licensure in this way.
Accelerated Bachelors to Masters
Accelerated programs save you time and money in earning a dual degree. Education Minors seeking initial licensure can pursue the BA to MAT. Elementary or Special Education Majors can purse the BA to MEd to obtain initial and additional endorsements. Both programs require TEP admission for licensure.
*For those that wish to minor in Education without pursuing licensure through MBU, see Non-Licensure Programs.
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 gain a teaching license without doing graduate coursework, apply to MBU’s PBTL program! You’ll complete undergraduate-level courses to obtain the initial teaching endorsement you desire. You’ll be admitted to TEP upon acceptance to the PBTL.
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
Interested in getting licensed to teach after completing your bachelors? MBU’s MAT program grants initial licensure for students 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 have a teaching license but want additional 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.
*See the Licenses chart below for a full list of MEd endorsement programs. For a list of MEd programs that neither require nor provide 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 endorsement that MBU offers, including initial licenses and add-on endorsements. To learn more about endorsement requirements 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 |
| 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** |
| 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/Science | 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 Specialist | x |
*Students gaining 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.
**Students can choose to pursue these additional endorsements through a non-degree curriculum. They won’t receive the MEd degree, but they will earn 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 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.
**These programs require an active or expired teaching license for admission.
- 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)
- Leadership Through 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.