The Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education (SEED) Licensure provides students with the specialized knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to meet the educational needs of students in grades 6-12.
The comprehensive program of study includes methods courses designed to prepare reflective teachers who are dedicated to knowing their students and their needs. Collaborations and partnerships with Northern Virginia schools ensure secondary education student complete relevant clinical experiences with experienced mentor teachers. Dedicated content area ensure graduates are prepared to employ innovative, research-based pedagogical practices in diverse school settings.
The Secondary Education program offers pathways to obtain an initial Virginia license (Post Graduate Professional License) to teach biology, chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, English, history and social science, mathematics, and physics.
This 24-credit certificate offers coursework towards Virginia teacher licensure to students who already have a bachelor's or master's degree but do not yet have a teaching license.
Admissions
Students must have satisfied the following requirements:
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00
- two letters of recommendation from former or current employers or university professors, targeting work experiences and academic abilities
- resume
- goal statement (750-1000 words) that addresses the reasons for choosing this program.
See website for more information on the admissions process.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate certificates, see AP.6.8 Requirements for Graduate Certificates.
In addition to coursework, students in Virginia Department of Education licensure pathways must complete additional licensure requirements to fulfill graduation requirements. See Degree Requirements.
Certificate Requirements
Total credits: 24
This certificate may be pursued on a full-or part-time basis.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDRD 619 | Literacy Across the Disciplines | 3 |
| SEED 522 | Foundations of Secondary Education | 3 |
| SEED 540 | Human Development and Learning: Secondary Education | 3 |
| SEED 677 | Action Research Methods in Secondary Education | 1 |
| SEED 678 | Action Research Seminar in Secondary Education | 2 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Secondary Education Biology (SECB)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SEED 573 | Teaching Science in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 673 | Advanced Methods of Teaching Science in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 794 | Internship: Secondary Education Science | 6 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Licensure Requirements
Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECB) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:
- Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation)
-
Content area coursework (completed and approved Content Area Review form)
Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.
Concentration in Secondary Education Chemistry (SECC)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SEED 573 | Teaching Science in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 673 | Advanced Methods of Teaching Science in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 794 | Internship: Secondary Education Science | 6 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Licensure Requirements
Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECC) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:
-
Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation)
-
Content area coursework (completed and approved Content Area Review form)
Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.
Concentration in Secondary Education Computer Science (SECO)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SEED 566 | Teaching Computer Science in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 676 | Advanced Methods of Teaching Computer Science in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 796 | Internship: Secondary Education Computer Science | 6 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Licensure Requirements
Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECO) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:
- Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation)
-
Content area coursework (completed and approved Content Area Review form)
Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.
Concentration in Secondary Education Earth Science (SECS)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SEED 573 | Teaching Science in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 673 | Advanced Methods of Teaching Science in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 794 | Internship: Secondary Education Science | 6 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Licensure Requirements
Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECS) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:
- Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation)
-
Content area coursework (completed and approved Content Area Review form)
Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.
Concentration in Secondary Education English (SECE)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SEED 569 | Teaching English in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 669 | Advanced Methods of Teaching English in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 792 | Internship: Secondary Education English | 6 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Licensure Requirements
Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECE) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:
- Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation)
-
Content area coursework (completed and approved Content Area Review form)
Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.
Concentration in Secondary Education History and Social Science (SECH)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SEED 567 | Teaching Social Studies in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 667 | Advanced Methods of Teaching Social Sciences in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 795 | Internship: Secondary Education Social Studies | 6 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Licensure Requirements
Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECH) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:
- Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation)
-
Content area coursework (completed and approved Content Area Review form)
Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.
Concentration in Secondary Education Mathematics (SECM)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SEED 572 | Teaching Mathematics in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 672 | Advanced Methods of Teaching Mathematics in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 793 | Internship: Secondary Education Math | 6 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Licensure Requirements
Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECM) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:
- Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation)
-
Content area coursework (completed and approved Content Area Review form)
Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.
Concentration in Secondary Education Physics (SECP)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SEED 573 | Teaching Science in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 673 | Advanced Methods of Teaching Science in the Secondary School | 3 |
| SEED 794 | Internship: Secondary Education Science | 6 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Licensure Requirements
Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SECP) must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship:
- Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation)
-
Content area coursework (completed and approved Content Area Review form)
Licensure testing and statutory requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing, statutory, and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.