Licensure

Below you will find information on (1) admissions to approved graduate licensure/endorsement-only, non-degree programs and (2) applying for licensure after completing your studies.

I Want to Enroll in a Non-degree, Endorsement-only Program.

Curry offers two part-time programs: a licensure-only program in Special Education (Northern Virginia Center) or the endorsement-only program in Administration & Supervision (on Grounds and at multiple centers around the Commonwealth of Virginia.)  To apply for admission, submit the online Application for Admission and other required materials by the following dates:
October 15 (spring entry to on/off-Grounds programs),
March 15 (summer or fall entry to on-Grounds programs; summer entry for off-Grounds programs), or
July 1 (fall entry to off-Grounds programs).
When listing schools you have attended, please do not list a school if the courses taken there show as transfer credits on your undergraduate or graduate transcript.  You may apply up to 6 credits from the endorsement/licensure program toward a degree.

Create Application Account.

Access Application Account

Access Application Account .

I Have Finished My Program of Studies, How do I Apply for Licensure?

  1. Go the licensure website for the Virginia Department of Education and click on “Application for a Virginia License.”
  2. Complete documents relevant to your area of licensure/level of experience and forward to: Paula Price via email (paula@virginia.edu), fax (434.924.7970), or snail mail (Curry School of Education, Office of Admission, 417 Emmet Street South, Charlottesville, VA, 22903).  We will return the form via U.S. Mail to your home address, so you can add the required materials (e.g., official transcript, required test scores, a check payable to “Treasurer of Virginia”).
  3. If a prerequisite for the endorsement is completion of a degree, check SIS to be sure the words “degree conferred” appear on your transcript before ordering an official transcript.
  4. Need an official transcript?  Go to the registrar’s website to order one.

<h4>I am completing an on-grounds degree program</h4>

If you do not have initial licensure and you are completing the BA/MT, BS/MT, BSEd/MT or PGMT, you must apply for licensure and endorsement when you apply for graduation.

If you are completing a master’s degree in Counselor Education or Communication Disorders, please submit your application for licensure after graduation. Licensure information is available on the Virginia Department of Education website.

If you are completing an off-Grounds initial licensure program in Special Education, you must submit your Record of Progress to Beth Potts before applying for licensure. Once your program of studies has been approved, your advisor will provide you with licensure documents and forward your packet to Curry’s Office of Admissions and Student Services.

Licensure/Endorsement Non-Degree Options

  • Administration and Supervision: This part-time program is offered on-Grounds at Curry AND at some off-Grounds centers. Check with the Center of interest to be sure this option is available before applying for admission off-Grounds
  • Special Education-General Curriculum: This program is offered off-Grounds at the Northern Virginia Center.  Contact Beth Potts ( potts@virginia.edu ) if you have questions. In addition to the online application and two recommendations, all applicants must submit qualifying test scores on ONE of the following:
  • PRAXIS I: 178 math, 178 reading, 175 writing or 532 composite score OR
  • SATs taken prior to 4/1/95—score of 1000, with at least 450 verbal and 510 math; if taken after 4/1/95—score of 1100, with at least 530 verbal, 530 math OR
  • ACTs: taken prior to 4/1/95—score of 1100, with at least 450 verbal, 510 math; if taken after 4/1/95—composite score of 24, with at least 22 math, 46 English Plus Reading score, OR
  • VCLA: Reading and Writing as an optional assessment for the PRAXIS I reading and writing tests (writing subtest of 235, reading subtest of 235, composite score of 470) in combination with qualifying math scores from SATs and ACTs.

Elementary Education: This licensure-only program is temporarily closed.

How to apply for Licensure/Endorsement Certificate Programs

  • Complete the online application. If transfer credits show on the transcript for the college where you earned your degree, do not list the community college or first school from which you took credits which transferred and were counted elsewhere.
  • Submit official transcripts to the Office of Admission. Submit official test scores (see above).  In addition, include a copy of your scores in the package of transcripts you mail to the Office of Admission.
  • Solicit 2 online recommendations through the application.
  • If planning to study ON GROUNDS (in Charlottesville through the Curry School) and take only one three-credit class during the fall or spring semester, submit a special tuition form to qualify for reduced tuition. The form must be faxed (434-924-0757)  or mailed to the Office of Admissions, 106 Bavaro Hall, before the start of each fall and spring semester: Special Tuition Form for K-12 Educators
  • Send application materials (no staples please) in a single folder to the Curry School of Education, Office of Admissions, P. O. Box 400261, Charlottesville, VA 22904.

How to Register for Classes, Once Admitted

On Grounds

  • Establish your U.Va. computing ID: It is vital that you set up and maintain your U.Va. email account. All University correspondence (including your tuition bill) will occur through U.Va. email.
  • Register for the course(s) you wish to take. Some courses have a restriction that will not allow online registration. To register for these courses, you will need to email the instructor for permission to enroll.  See the Student Information System (SIS) for additional information.
  • Pay your bill (which will be sent to your through your U.Va. email account) by the due date.

Off Grounds

Other Questions about Licensure

I am a recent graduate of the reading program and want to apply for my reading endorsement. Can you tell me what I need to do?
Go to the Virginia Department of Education’s “Division of Teacher Education and Licensure” web page and click on “Application for Virginia Licensure.” Complete Part I of the College Verification Form and fax (434-924-0757) or mail the document to this address:

Curry School of Education
Office of Admissions and Student Services
P.O. Box 40026
417 Emmet St. South
Charlottesville, VA 22904

We will complete the document and return it to you at the address listed in Part I. You will then need to attach an official transcript (showing “degree conferred”) and a check written to the Treasurer of Virginia. Fees for adding endorsements can be downloaded from the Virginia Department of Education.

Before I submit the College Verification Form, should I have my advisor sign it?
No, Joanne McNergney is the licensure official for the University of Virginia. She must sign off on the document before it can be submitted to the Virginia Department of Education.

I plan to teach in another state after completing licensure/endorsement work at Curry. Should I go ahead and get licensed in Virginia before applying for licensure elsewhere?
Yes, this is a good idea. Virginia has reciprocity with most states, so it is generally easier to get licensed in another state if you already have a license in Virginia. To see which states are willing to accept certification from other states, see the NASDEC Interstate Agreement.

I have been offered a job by a school division, even though I have not completed Curry’s approved program. The school division has indicated I need to submit my licensure papers to the state before they can hire me. Do I still forward those documents to the Office of Admissions and Student Services?
Yes. Please note that we will check “NO” next to the question asking whether you have completed an approved program. This permits the Virginia Department of Education to issue a provisional license. Once you have completed all program requirements, please submit a new College Verification Form to our office.

I understand I must attach paper copies of test scores (VRA, VCLA, PRAXIS II) to my application for licensure, but I thought these were sent electronically to the University. Why do you need paper copy?
This is a requirement of the Virginia Department of Education. They will not process an application for licensure without paper copies of test scores.

I am enrolled in Curry’s Teacher Education (BA/MT, BS/MT, BSED/MT, PGMT) program. When do I apply for initial licensure?
You must apply for licensure at the same time you complete your application for graduation. Both forms are available in the Resources section of the Curry Web site.
 

 

Please contact the Admissions Office at 434.924.0757 with questions.