Postgraduate Master in Teaching (P.G.M.T.)

Entry to the program is for fall only. The application deadline is February 15.
Teacher Education Student Handbook
TA Handbook

The postgraduate Master of Teaching (PGMT) program is designed for individuals who have at least an undergraduate degree and are interested in the profession of teaching.  Coursework is blended with clinical and school-based experiences in Charlottesville and surrounding counties.  Program completers are eligible for licensure.

Applicants apply for and focus on one area in Teacher Education:

  • Early Childhood Special Education (birth through age 5)
  • Elementary Education (preK-6)
  • Special Education with an emphasis in elementary education or one area of secondary education
  • Health and Physical Education (preK-12)
  • Secondary Education: English, foreign language, mathematics, science, or social studies (grades 6-12). Those interested in Secondary Education must have the equivalent of a major in the content area they wish to teach.

Once enrolled, it may be possible to add at least one additional area of endorsement (e.g., gifted education, ESOL, Algebra I) to a two-year program of study.  If focusing on only one area of study and enrolling in a three-week summer session prior to student teaching, it is possible to accelerate the program, completing requirements in 1 1/2 years.  To exercise either option, students must work closely with their Curry advisors to plan their curriculum. 

Admission requirements (all submitted by February 15):

  • the graduate application form
  • official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work
  • two letters of recommendation, solicited through the online application
  • official GRE scores (qualifying scores are Verbal: 150 (450 if taken before 2011), Quantitative: 145 (530 if taken before 2011), Analytical Writing: 4.0, and
  • 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 test 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, ACTs, or Praxis I.

Applicants must also have completed a general core of undergraduate studies and an undergraduate major in the liberal arts.  Deficiencies in general studies or the intended major in Curry are best remedied prior to application for admission; if this is not possible, requirements will be added to the MT program of study.  These may include some combination of 12 credit hours in math and science, 6 hours in English/composition/literature, 6 hours of historical studies (to include American history and world history or western civilization), as well as courses representing the humanities and the social sciences.

Academic Performance Requirements
Students must earn grades of B- or better in all graduate courses.  Any changes in program requirements (e.g., course substitutions) must be approved by a student’s Curry advisor and the Teacher Education Supervising Team.  Policy exception forms may be obtained in the Office of Teacher Education, 326 Bavaro Hall or downloaded and completed.  For information regarding University policies and procedures, see the Graduate Record and the Student Advising Handbook.

Financial Aid
Students are eligible for graduate loans.  Information about financial aid is available from the Financial Aid Office.  There is also a section on financial aid in the Student Handbook.  Several Curry awards and scholarships are available to outstanding Teacher Education students currently enrolled in the program.

Licensure Options
Teacher Education students may earn endorsement in one or more of the following areas:

  •   Biology
  •   Chemistry
  •   Earth Science
  •   Elementary Education (preK-6)
  •   English
  •   Foreign Language
  •   Latin
  •   Mathematics
  •   Health/Physical Education
  •   Physics
  •   Social Studies
  •   Special Education (MR, LD, ED)
  •   Add-on Endorsements in ESOL, gifted ed., Algebra I.

Licensure/endorsement programs meet the requirements established by the Virginia Department of Education.  As a state approved program, the Curry School facilitates licensure applications for all degree graduates.

Application for teacher licensure must be made by October 1 (December graduates) or February 1 (May graduates).

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