Become a Teacher
in Virginia

• Elementary Education: Individuals seeking licensure with endorsements in early/primary education, elementary education, and middle education may meet requirements through the completion of an approved program or, if employed by a Virginia public or nonpublic school, through the alternate route to licensure. Components of the licensure program include a degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the liberal arts and sciences (or equivalent), professional teacher's assessments requirement prescribed by the Board of Education, specific endorsement requirements, and professional studies requirements.
• Secondary English/Language Arts:Endorsement requirements: The candidate must have: 1. Graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in English; or Completed a major in English or a minimum of 36 semester hours of coursework distributed in the following areas:
  • Literature: 12 semester hours. Courses must include: (1) Survey of British literature; (2) Survey of American literature; (3) World literature; and (4) Literary theory/criticism.
  • Language: 6 semester hours. Experiences shall include: (1) The development and nature of the English language, including some attention to comparative English grammar; and (2) A grammar course integrating grammar and writing.
  • Composition: 6 semester hours. Experiences shall include: (1) The teaching of writing, based on current knowledge and most effective practices, including the use of technology for this purpose; and (2) An advanced composition course – expository and informational writing.
  • Oral language: 3 semester hours. Experiences shall include the teaching of oral language in groups, as well as attention to oral language as used in both formal and informal presentations. e. Electives from the areas listed above: 9 semester hours
• Secondary Mathematics:Endorsement requirements: The candidate must have: 1. Graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in mathematics; or 2. Completed a major in mathematics or 36 semester hours of coursework distributed in each of the following areas:
  • Algebra – Experience shall include linear (matrices, vectors, and linear transformations) and abstract algebra (ring, group, and field theory). A college or university may integrate the competencies within specified coursework and document the completion of these competencies;
  • Geometry – Experience shall include Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries;
  • Analytic geometry;
  • Probability and statistics;
  • Discrete mathematics – Experience shall include the study of mathematical properties of finite sets and systems and linear programming;
  • Computer science – Experience shall include computer programming; and
  • Calculus – Experience shall include multivariable calculus.
  Algebra I (add-on endorsement) requirements: The candidate must have: 1. Completed an approved teacher preparation program in Algebra I; or 2. Completed the following requirements. The candidate must have: a. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and an endorsement in a teaching area; and b. Completed 24 semester hours that include coursework in each of the following areas: (1) Elementary functions and introductory college algebra; (2) Trigonometry; (3) Linear algebra; (4) Calculus; (5) Euclidean geometry; (6) Probability and statistics; (7) Discrete mathematics; and (8) Computer science.
• Secondary History/Social Science: Endorsement requirements: The candidate must have: 1. Graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in history and social sciences; or 2. Completed 51 semester hours of coursework distributed in the following areas:
  • History: a major in history or 18 semester hours in history (must include coursework in American history, Virginia history, and world history);
  • Political science: a major in political science or 18 semester hours in political science to include coursework in American government (state and local government);
  • Geography: 9 semester hours; and
  • Economics: 6 semester hours.
  Add-on endorsement requirements in history, political science, geography, and economics. The candidate must have: 1. An endorsement in history, political science, geography, or economics; and 2. Completed 21 semester hours of coursework in the additional social science area (history, political science, geography, or economics) sought.
• Secondary Science:
  • Biology endorsement requirements: The candidate must have: 1. Graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in biology; 2. Completed a major in biology or 32 semester hours in biology, including genetics/molecular biology, botany, zoology, anatomy/physiology, ecology and other preparation consistent with the competencies for the endorsement; or 3. Earned an endorsement in another science discipline and at least 18 credits in biology, including preparation in each of the following areas: genetics/molecular biology, botany, zoology, anatomy/physiology, and ecology.
  • Chemistry. Must have: 1. Graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in chemistry; 2. Completed a major in chemistry or 32 semester hours in chemistry, including inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and analytical chemistry and other preparation consistent with the competencies required for the endorsement; or 3. Earned an endorsement in another science discipline and at least 18 credits in chemistry, including preparation in each of the following areas: inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and analytical chemistry.
  • Earth science. Must have: 1. Graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in Earth science; 2. Completed a major in geology or environmental science with at least one course in each of the following: oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy, and a course in geology for environmental science majors, or 32 semester hours in Earth sciences, including geology (18 semester hours), oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy and other preparation consistent with the competencies required for the endorsement; or 3. Earned an endorsement in another science discipline and at least 18 credits in Earth sciences, including preparation in each of the following areas: geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy.
  • Physics. Must have: 1. Graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in physics; 2. Completed a major in physics or 32 semester hours in physics, including mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and optics and other preparation consistent with the competencies required for the endorsement; or 3. Earned an endorsement in another science discipline and at least 18 credits in physics, including preparation in each of the following areas: mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and optics.

• Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Virginia provides differential pay support for teachers teaching in high needs schools and differential pay and loan forgiveness for teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
• Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Virginia has strong induction policies in place
• Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in Virginia makes $60,390
• Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in Virginia makes $60,450
• Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Virginia makes 134% of the salary of the average worker in Virginia
• Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in Virginia receives 15 weeks of vacation per year

Basic Skills Test

• VCLA (Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment)