What makes Virginia such a unique spot to be an educator? In part location, but the real heart of what makes Virginia unique is diversity. Educators in Northern Virginia can readily access Washington D.C. and have ample opportunities to stay on the beat of educational policy and leadership. Those who are passionate about social justice and change in education have opportunities to serve in both urban and rural regions. Being an educator in Fairfax will look entirely different from being an educator in Lynchburg, but all regions have a need for quality educators. That being said, the U.S Department of Education’ National Assessment of Educational Progress consistently ranks Virginia among the top ten state for student performance in K-12 education. Virginia established high standards for raising student achievement. Virginia also benefits from centuries of higher education. The College of William and Mary, founded in 1693, has drawn some of the brightest and most innovative thinkers for over 400 years. With such a diverse landscape and along with it population, come a call for teachers who understand how to bridge the achievement gap for all types of learners. Virginia’s higher education establishments offer myriad of online degrees and certifications that help bridge that gap- whether through an online STEM certification from Virginia Tech, or an online master’s degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders from George Mason University, Virginia Schools go above and beyond providing a vast range of online degree programs to meet the needs of the 21st century educator, and subsequently, the 21st century student. Here is a comprehensive list of Virginia Universities that currently offers online degrees in education.
- Old Dominion University
- George Mason University
- Liberty University
- Regent University
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- James Madison University
- Averett University
- Hampton University
- Bluefield College
- Mary Baldwin University
- Virginia International University
Requirements for Teacher Licensing
in Virginia
The “traditional” route to certification in Virginia involves four main steps:
1.) Complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Education
Complete a bachelor’s degree in education. Usually, a bachelor’s degree in education requires about 120 credit hours of general education courses, education courses, and electives. The common curriculum usually means about 30 or more major classes that correspond with state certification requirement, and additional course material that centers on theory and methods of teaching. We suggest you check the Virginia Department of Education for approved programming.
2.) Complete a State-Approved Teacher Preparation Program
For the traditional route, a “state-approved” teacher preparation program means working in an educational facility- typically a public school with a supervisor. Essentially it’s like having supervised on-the-job training before you are actually on the job. Teacher preparation programs are an important step into the field of education. Here you will gain exposure to the school system, learn how to work with a team, and learn how to put education theory into practice.
3.) Participate in Student Teaching and a Mentoring Program
The Virginia Department of Education outlines how general guidelines for the student teacher and mentoring component to Virginia teacher licensure. Student teachers are entitled to a quality mentor who clearly outlines students’ responsibilities, designs programming for the student to gain exposure and a clear understanding of school-wide policy and procedures. Mentors are required to support student teachers through the duration of their student teaching experience.
4.) Pass the State-Mandated Exams
Generally, in the state of Virginia, you must complete the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment. . Additionally, you must take the Virginia Praxis assessments. Prospective teachers in the state of Virginia must also pass a child abuse and neglect recognition training, emergency first aid and CPR training, and a dyslexia awareness training. Check here for more information on subject specific tests.
Are you finished with your bachelor’s in education, teacher preparation, and exams? Here’s a helpful checklist to ensure you have everything in order for licensure:
- Complete a Background Check
- Demonstrate Proof of Degree Completion with Official Transcripts
- Demonstrate Proof of Teacher Preparation Completion
- Provide Passing Scores for State-Mandated Exams
- Complete an Application for Teacher Certification in the State of Virginia
- Pay a non-refundable Certification Processing Fee
If you have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than education or are simply looking for other methods that lead to licensure check out these alternative routes towards teacher certification for the state of Virginia.
Online Education Program Admission Requirements
Every school varies when it comes to admission and furthermore, admission requirements will differ depending on whether or not you are looking to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree. Let’s first take a look at general admission requirements for a bachelor’s degree in education.
Generally speaking in order to gain admission to a bachelor’s degree in education you must have a high school diploma or have passed a GED with an acceptable GPA. College entrance exams like the ACT and SAT are still very common and score requirements vary per institution. Once you have the scores you need, the next step is to fulfill application requirements. In general, the application requirements include the application itself, the 2 or 3 letters of recommendations, an entrance essay demonstrating how you are good fit with the institution and occasionally an interview.
Admissions into a master’s program also varies but many require: a bachelor’s degree with least a 2.75 GPA, 2 years of teaching experience, 2-3 letters of recommendation from academic and professional supervisors, written essays of intent/ demonstrated passion and desire to attend program, and a GRE score. It’s important to check with your institution as some schools do not require a GRE score.
Average Salaries
For Common Educator Roles in Virginia
- Preschool Teacher: $36,710
- Primary School Educator: $63,380
- Secondary School Educator: $65,010
- Higher Education Administrator:$175,126
- Principal:$103,171
- Special Education Teacher:$65,570
- Math or Science High School Teacher:$62,646
- ESL Teacher:$23.14/ hour
- School Psychologist:$52,269
Scholarships for Future Educators in the State of Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education Scholarships
The Honorable John W. Warner STEM Teachers Scholarship
Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program
The 5 Best Online Education Degree
Providers in Virginia
Virginia has a total of 12 education degree-granting institutions that provide online education degrees. These range from community colleges offering associates in early childhood development or human services, to nationally ranked universities that offer a wide spread of masters level and education endorsement-level programming. While future students may want to go to the “best” online institution in their state for education degrees, they should take some to double check what exact degrees are offered by their institution of choice at the directory of all online education degrees at the bottom of the page. To select the following top five universities, we’ve looked at two factors: the number of fully online education degrees offered by an institution, and an “academic prestige” score. The academic prestige score takes into account metrics such as average amount of financial need received, average class sizes, admissions standards, and the percentage of faculty holding terminal degrees in their field. Also note that the tuition numbers below are just indicators of relatively how expensive or affordable a college is. The tuition numbers below, specifically, are the in-state (where applicable) undergraduate yearlong tuition rates for education degrees. Many universities, however, have similar tuition rates at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Old Dominion University is a public research university located in Norfolk, Virginia. In 1930 Old Dominion served as the campus for the College of William and Mary. Today, Old Dominion is home to a diverse student body of 24,322 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Old Dominion to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certificates. According to U.S. News Old Dominion ranks highly for a number of their online degree programs including 33rd for best online graduate computer information technology, 42nd for best online graduate engineering programs, 66th for best online bachelor’s programs, and 83rd for best online graduate education programs. Their education school ranks 105th in the nation. When it comes to academics, Old Dominion offers a wide-range of programs for in fields like business, social sciences, health, literature, engineering and education. Currently, there are nearly 50 fully online degrees available to undergraduate and graduate students alike including their online bachelor’s in psychology, online master’s in reading teachers education, and online doctorate in community college education.
Old Dominion’s Online School of Education is massive. There are academic offerings for bachelor’s-seeking, master’s-seeking, and doctor’s-seeking students as well as online programming for individuals looking for professional certifications. Students may pursue endorsements in elementary education, mathematics specialist, secondary education specialist and special education post baccalaureate specialist. Currently Old Dominion offers the following online education degrees:
- Elementary Education (Interdisciplinary Studies: Teacher Preparation)
- Industrial Technology (Occupational & Technical Studies)
- Marketing Education (Occupational & Technical Studies)
- Special Education (Interdisciplinary Studies: Teacher Preparation)
- Special Education – Early Childhood & Adapted Curriculum (IDS: Teacher Prep)
- Training Specialist (Occupational & Technical Studies)
- Business & Industry Training (Occupational & Technical Studies)
- Career & Technical Education Teaching (Occupational & Technical Studies)
- Educational Leadership – Admin. & Supervision K-12
- Elementary Education for Licensed Teachers
- Elementary Teacher PreK-6 with initial VA licensure
- Instructional Design & Technology
- Mathematics Specialist – Elementary Education
- Reading Education – Reading Specialist
- School Librarianship & Teaching License
- School Librarianship (degree with Virginia Endorsement)
- Secondary Education (6-12) with initial Virginia licensure
- Secondary Education for Licensed Teachers
- Special Education – Research emphasis
- Special Education – VA Licensure
- Sport Management
- STEM Education (Occupational & Technical Studies)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Community College Leadership
- Entrepreneurship
- Human Performance Technology
- Literacy Coaching
- Online Teaching for K-12
- Secondary Education Professional Studies
- Career and Technical Education (Occupational & Technical Studies)
- Community College Leadership
- Educational Leadership with Licensure
- Human Resource – Training (Occupational and Technical Studies)
- Instructional Design & Technology
- Technology Education (Occupational & Technical Studies)
We selected Old Dominion for their impressive number of online education programs, as well as for their quality of academics.
George Mason University is a public university located in Fairfax, Virginia. There are 34,909 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio is 16:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits George Mason University to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certificates. According to U.S. News George Mason University ranks as the 140th best university in the nation, 23rd for best online graduate computer information technology, 56th for best online graduate business programs, and 115th for best online graduate education programs. George Mason offers student support in myriad of ways through credit for life experience, academic and career counseling, employment for their students, and even on-campus daycare for students’ children. There’s a huge range of academic programs for prospective artists, scientists and more. Some of their more unique programs are in cinematography, astronomy, foreign law, athletic training, and autism education. Currently, there are over 30 online degrees for undergraduates and graduate students including their online bachelor’s in information technology, online master’s in curriculum and instruction, and online master’s in peace studies and conflict resolution.
George Mason online offers a wide-range of online education degrees for both undergraduate and graduate students. Student who select to study online may wish to complete a degree or a professional certification. Here are the 15 online education degrees currently available:
- Advanced International Baccalaureate (IB) Studies (Graduate Certificate)
- Applied Behavior Analysis (Graduate Certificate)
- Assistive Technology (Graduate Certificate)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (Graduate Certificate)
- Blended and Online Learning in Schools (Graduate Certificate)
- Curriculum and Instruction, Assistive Technology Concentration (MEd)
- Curriculum and Instruction, Blended and Online Learning in Schools Concentration (MEd)
- Digital Public Humanities (Graduate Certificate)
- E-Learning (Graduate Certificate)
- Education Leadership (Graduate Certificate)
- Education Leadership (MEd)
- Gifted Child Education (Graduate Certificate)
- International Special Education (PK-12) (Graduate Certificate)
- Special Education (MEd)
- Teaching English as a Second Language (Graduate Certificate)
We selected George Mason for the high number of online degrees offered as well as for their high quality academic standards.
Liberty University is a private 4-year Christian institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. There are 75,756 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. By enrollment Liberty University is the largest Christian University in the U.S. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Liberty to award comprehensive degrees and professional certifications. Carnegie classifies Liberty as a research university with moderate research activity. According to U.S. News Liberty ranks highly for a number of online programs including 42nd for best online graduate criminal justice programs, 108th for best online graduate business programs, 184th for best online bachelor’s programs, and 190th for best online graduate education programs. In addition to theological studies, Liberty offer a vast range of degree programs from accounting to the visual arts. The online programming is robust. In fact, Liberty offers nearly 120 fully online degrees and professional certifications including their online master’s in music pedagogy, online bachelor’s in psychology, and online doctorate in business administration.
Liberty has offered online degrees since 1985! Their online course are 8-weeks in length, and students may complete their online master’s degree in as little as 12 month. Liberty boasts “generous transfer credit policies” -another essential for individuals who are looking to complete their online learning in a timely and cost effective manner. Let’s take a look at their online degrees in education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education Interdisciplinary Studies
- Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education Interdisciplinary Studies
- Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education Interdisciplinary Studies
- Master’s Degree in Education – School Counseling (M.Ed.)
- MAT Elementary Education
- MAT Middle Grades
- MAT Secondary Education
- MAT Special Education
- M.Ed Administration & Supervision
- M.Ed Math Specialist Endorsement
- M.Ed Reading Specialist Endorsement
- M.Ed in Higher Ed Educational Leadership
- M.Ed in Higher Ed Instructional Design and Technology
- M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction Early Childhood Education
- M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction Educational Technology and Online Instruction
- M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction Elementary Education
- M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction English
- M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction General Education
- M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction Gifted Education
- M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction History
- M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction Leadership
- M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction Middle Grades (Program available through the Summer 2018 semester)
- M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction Special Education
- M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction Student Services
We selected Liberty University for the vast number of online degree offerings.
Regent University is a private research university located in Virginia Beach. There are 8,389 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 41:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Regent to award comprehensive degree programs and professional certifications. According to U.S. News Regent ranks 35th for best online bachelor’s programs, and 56th for best online graduate education programs. Regent supports their students with academic counseling, career counseling, employment services, and credit for life experiences. There are a wide range of academic offerings in the arts humanities and sciences though though the most robust programs are in business and education. Currently, there are over 30 online degrees offered for undergraduate and graduate students including their online associate degree in human resources management, online bachelor’s in journalism, online master’s in public policy, and online doctor’s degree in educational leadership and administration.
The Regent University School of Education offers some of the best online programs for education in the state of Virginia. In fact, U.S News ranks Regent currently at number one for best online graduate education program in Virginia. That being said, both undergraduates and graduates benefit from their academic excellence as U.S. News also ranks their bachelor’s programs 35th best in the nation. Here are the currently available online degrees in education:
- B.S. in Early Childhood Education (Nonlicensure)
- Certificate in Advancing Leadership
- Certificate in the Law & Higher Education
- CGS – TESOL – Adult Education-Collegiate
- CGS – TESOL – K-12
- CGS in Autism
- CGS in Christian Education
- CGS in Gifted & Talented Education
- CGS in School Counseling
- CGS in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
- Ed.D. – Doctor of Education
- Ed.S. – Educational Specialist
- Ed.S. in Leadership in Mathematics Education
- M.A. in Human Services – Human Services for Student Affairs
- M.A. in School Counseling
- M.Ed. – Master of Education
In addition to their high quality of academics, we selected Regent for their high number of online education degree offerings.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) isa public 4-year institution that offers comprehensive degree programming. There are 33,170 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. Carnegie classifies Virginia Tech as an R1 institution with the “highest levels of research activity.” The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Virginia Tech to award comprehensive degrees and professional certificates. According to U.S. News Virginia Tech is the 69th best school in the country, and 25th top public school. As a polytechnic university you may have guessed that Virginia Tech offers a number of top notch engineering programs as well a number of other high quality STEM degrees. That being said Virginia Tech also offers myriad of programs in the humanities, visual arts, performing arts, and in education. Their online programming is extensive too as Virginia Tech currently provides nearly 20 fully online degrees and certifications including their online master’s in agriculture, online professional certification in nonprofit management, online master’s in civil engineering, and online master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.
Virginia Tech has made a name for itself in engineering. Over the years, VT has also constructed quality education programming to help future educators fill the gaps specifically in STEM and special education. It may come as no surprise that VT accelerates in all areas of STEM including education. Those who sign up for their online certifications in education will have the benefits of studying with some of the best scholars in the field. Here are their online education-related programs:
- Special Education Administration Online Graduate Certificate
- Integrative STEM Education Online Graduate Certificate
Directory of Online Education Degree
Providers in Virginia
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | Online Ed Degrees: 2 | |
 TUITION 17190 | |||
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA | Online Ed Degrees: 2 | |
 TUITION 20544 | |||
| Averett University-Non-Traditional Programs | Danville, VA | Online Ed Degrees: 4 | |
 TUITION 23737 | |||
| Hampton University | Hampton, VA | Online Ed Degrees: 4 | |
 TUITION 24377 | |||
| Bluefield College | Bluefield, VA | Online Ed Degrees: 2 | |
 TUITION 21269 | |||
| Mary Baldwin University | Staunton, VA | Online Ed Degrees: 3 | |
 TUITION 18543 | |||
| Virginia International University | Fairfax, VA | Online Ed Degrees: 2 | |
 TUITION NA | |||
