Marymount University

Section Home

Education

Marymount University’s professional programs leading to teaching licensure are dedicated to the mission "Preparing Education Leaders for Diverse Learning Communities." The three tenets comprising the conceptual framework model that synergistically interact include critical thinker, effective practitioner, and caring professional. Knowledge of content, human growth and development, and pedagogy, along with current research and learning theory, provide the foundation for Marymount’s professional programs. All courses and experiences are designed to achieve this mission.

Upon successful completion of a Marymount teacher education program, students will be able to

  • make instructional decisions based on student behavior, the context of the classroom, and assessment
    data;
  • use a variety of problem solving strategies to meet the needs of their students;
  • demonstrate a thorough understanding of content, human development, and pedagogy;
  • effectively implement instruction and assessment with appropriate pedagogical methods; and
  • exhibit a love of teaching, appreciation of diversity, and respect for all persons in the educational setting.

Through a variety of programs, Marymount undergraduate students may earn Virginia licensure at elementary, secondary, special education and K-12 levels. Undergraduates major in an appropriate liberal arts or science discipline and complete their teacher licensure program requirements as outlined. All programs are designed to prepare graduates to enter the job market as beginning professionals in their respective fields.

Students seeking teaching licensure reserve one semester for the student-teaching experience. This experience is a 14-week, full-time placement. Student teaching is the culmination of the Marymount teacher-education program and reflects the degree to which a student will be effective as a classroom teacher. See complete information about application procedures.

All Marymount University teacher education programs are approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) the Virginia Department of Education as well as the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Prepartion (CAEP). Program requirements are subject to revision based on changes in the Commonwealth of Virginia licensure requirements. More than 30 states share reciprocity with Virginia.

Periodic Progress Review

Each semester, the education faculty meets to evaluate all students’ academic progress and professional dispositions. The education faculty consider not only academic performance, but also personal characteristics, such as maturity, judgment, emotional stability, sensitivity to others, and self-awareness, that affect one’s ability to be a teacher or administrator. If the faculty identifies a problem during the periodic review or evidence of personal difficulty that has the potential to negatively affect the student’s capacity to function as a future teacher or administrator, the student will first be required to meet with his or her advisor. If needed, the student may be referred to the School of Education and Human Services’ Teacher Education Committee. Failure to meet academic and professional standards may result in dismissal from the Marymount University education program. If the faculty identifies an outstanding candidate during the periodic review, the faculty may decide to send a letter of commendation to the student to recognize outstanding achievement.

Undergraduate Programs in Education

Admission Requirements: In addition to universitywide admission requirements, applicants to the undergraduate teaching licensure programs must fulfill the following to be considered for acceptance into the program:

  • notify their major advisor of intent to pursue licensure during the freshman year;
  • complete ED 250 Introduction to Teaching and Learning during the sophomore year with a grade of C or better
  • have a minimum of 2.5 GPA overall
  • have a minimum of 3.0 GPA in the major for secondary programs
  • submit an application for the teacher licensure program upon completion of ED 250
  • submit two references
  • submit an essay on a provided topic
  • submit a résumé
  • present passing scores, as set by the Virginia Department of Education, for
    • Praxis I Core Mathematics only (Praxis I Mathematics exam may be waived with sufficient composite SAT/ACT score. See an academic advisor for further information.)
    • Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) (Passing scores are required in both reading and writing sections.)

No more than 6 education credits may be taken prior to acceptance into the teacher licensure program. Refer to the Undergraduate Teacher Candidate Handbook, available through the School of Education and Human Services, for further information.

Legal Limitations of Practice: The practice of teaching is regulated by state laws. Questions concerning licensure in a specific state should be directed to that state’s board of education. Students may be required to submit a national criminal background check before being placed in field experiences or as a student-teacher. The cost of the investigation must be paid by the student.

Minimum Grade Requirements: For successful program completion, a minimum grade of C is necessary in all required professional studies (education) courses.

Transfer Policy: Transfer students must be enrolled in ED 250 before applying to the program.

Teaching Licensure Programs: The program of studies for each teaching licensure program is described in the major discipline section of this catalog. Students in the following programs will fulfill the curriculum requirements of the respective discipline — earning a degree in that field — and completing all professional studies requirements needed for Virginia licensure, including field experience and student teaching:

Art with K-12 Teaching Licensure (B.A. in art)—See art under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

Biology with Secondary-Level (grades 6-12) Teaching Licensure (B.S. in biology)—See biology under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

Elementary Education (grades PK-6) Licensure (B.A. in multidisciplinary studies)—See multidisciplinary studies under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

English with Secondary-Level (grades 6-12) Teaching Licensure (B.A. in English)—See English under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

History/Social Science with Secondary-Level (grades 6-12) Teaching Licensure (B.A. in history)—See history under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

Mathematics with Secondary-Level (grades 6-12) Teaching Licensure (B.S. in mathematics)—See mathematics under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

Special Education: General Curriculum, K-12 Teaching Licensure (B.A. in multidisciplinary studies)—See multidisciplinary studies under School of Arts and Sciences for program requirements.

The Student-Teaching Experience

Individuals seeking licensure complete their studies with a student-teaching experience. Students must pass all required licensure exams before applying to student teach. After that, students apply for student teaching at the beginning of the semester prior to their anticipated student-teaching experience. Students register for student teaching through Marymount University regardless of the geographic location of the placement site.

Student teachers are supervised by a faculty member in the School of Education and Human Services and by an on-site cooperating teacher. Students should consult the Marymount University Student Teaching Handbook for full information on student teaching.

Placement is available in public schools in the greater Washington metropolitan area, the Diocese of Arlington, the Archdiocese of Washington, and in accredited private schools. Placement is made in conjunction with the local school districts and no particular placement can be guaranteed. Transportation to and from the cooperating school is the responsibility of the student. While student teaching, all students assume the role of guest in the host school and must abide by the policies and regulations of the host school.

Placement for student teaching is dependent upon the school’s and faculty’s judgment regarding the student’s performance in both coursework and field placement.

Deadlines are set annually for student teaching applications. Contact the Office of Clinical Experiences for exact deadlines. Passing scores must be attained for the Praxis II, Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), and Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) licensure exams before submitting an application. Please see an advisor for the required exams needed for a licensure area. Information and directions for application completion are available in the Office of Clinical Experiences.

Student Teaching Abroad

Students who would like to student teach abroad must contact the chair of the Education Department two semesters before they will apply to student teach. Placements are currently available in Asia, Europe, South America, and New Zealand for seven (7) of the required 14 weeks. Tuition for student teaching abroad remains the same; however, student teachers are responsible for their own transportation, housing expenses, and any additional program fees.

Applying for Student Teaching

To be considered for placement, a student must fulfill the following requirements:

  • gain full admission into the teacher licensure program
  • submit a student-teaching application packet (see deadlines previously noted)
  • submit passing scores on the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)
  • submit passing scores on the Praxis II exam (Specialty Area Test for secondary education and art education students; Content Knowledge for elementary education students)
  • submit passing scores on the Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) exam (for elementary education and special education students)
  • complete all licensure and professional studies requirements
  • earn a minimum 2.5 GPA overall
  • earn a minimum 3.0 GPA in professional studies courses
  • gain the approval of the Undergraduate Teacher Licensure Committee
  • be endorsed by a member of the Education Department faculty to student teach abroad

Prior to beginning the student teaching placements, student teachers must clear a criminal background check as required by the local school division and must submit verification of current health insurance.

Catalog Contents

General Information

Admission

Financial Information

Academic Support Services

Academic Information and Policies

University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core

Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Programs

Course Descriptions

Accounting Courses

Applied Arts Courses

Astronomy Courses

Biology Courses

Business Law Courses

Center for Career Services

Chemistry Courses

Communication and Media Design Courses

Criminal Justice Courses

Economics Courses

Education Courses

English Courses

EN 090 Introduction to College Reading

EN 100 Introduction to College Writing

EN 101 Composition I

EN 102 Composition II

EN 150 Introduction to American Sign Language

EN 200 Elements of Literary Study

EN 201 World Literature: The Ancient World

EN 202 World Literature: The Middle Ages

EN 203 World Literature: Renaissance through Enlightenment

EN 204 World Literature: Romanticism through Post-Modernism

EN 205 American Literature I

EN 206 American Literature II

EN 207 Theater History

EN 211 Principles of Language

EN 212 Topics in Acting

EN 220 The Movie or the Book? Narrative Adaptation in the Cinema

EN 225 Literary Superheroes

EN 227 Short Fiction

EN 230 American Multicultural Literature

EN 240 Introduction to Visual and Cultural Studies

EN 250 Introduction to Shakespeare and Elizabethan Literature in London

EN 270 Approaches to Creative Writing

EN 280 Perspectives on Language Acquisition

EN 290 Literary Theory and Practice

EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice

EN 303 Literary Nonfiction

EN 305 Topics in Creative Writing

EN 308 Style and Revision

EN 321 Modern Drama

EN 322 19th-Century British Poets

EN 323 Modern Poetry

EN 330 Chaucer and the Courtly Love Tradition

EN 340 Major Women Writers

EN 350 The American Dream

EN 351 Literature of Childhood and Adolescence

EN 355 Shakespeare

EN 357 Topics in Literature Before 1800

EN 385 Approaches to Teaching Secondary English

EN 400 Internship

EN 421 Project

EN 424 Senior Seminar

EN 426 Studies in the Novel

EN 428 Studies in Contemporary Literature

EN 429 Topics in Performance

EN 433 Research

EN 490 Major Author(s)

Finance Courses

Fine Arts Courses

First-Year Seminar Courses

French Courses

Geography Courses

Geology Courses

German Courses

Global Scholars Courses

Health And Human Performance Courses

Health Care Management Courses

Health Information Management Courses

History Courses

Honors Courses

Human Resource Management Courses

Humanities Courses

Information Technology Courses

Interdisciplinary Studies Courses

Interior Design Courses

Legal Administration Courses

Liberal Studies Courses

Literature Courses

Management Courses

Management Science Courses

Marketing Courses

Mathematics Courses

Multidisciplinary Studies Courses

Nursing Courses

Philosophy Courses

Physical Science Courses

Physics Courses

Politics Courses

Psychology Courses

Sociology Courses

Spanish Courses

Theology and Religious Studies Courses

University Leadership

Notices to Students

Index