Students who complete Sweet Briar’s teacher education program will have met the requirements for licensure in Virginia. Virginia has reciprocity with most states, so someone with a Virginia teaching license can easily get a license in another state.
A student who would like to teach in a state other than Virginia should inform education faculty early in the program. The faculty will facilitate the student’s achievement of another state’s requirements to become a licensed teacher.
Licensure Tracks
Elementary Education (PreK-6)
Secondary Education (6-12)
In order to earn a secondary teaching license, prospective secondary teachers must major in the associated discipline and complete the required education courses for secondary licensure. Secondary teacher candidates earn their teaching license during their M.A.T. year.
Biology licensure: Must major in biology (B.S.)
Chemistry licensure: Must major in chemistry (B.S.)
English licensure: Must major in English and creative writing (B.A.)
History and Social Science licensure: Must major in history (B.A.)
Mathematics licensure: Must major in mathematics (B.A.)
PreK-12
In order to earn a PreK-12 teaching license, prospective PreK-12 teachers must major in the associated discipline and complete the required education courses for PreK-12 licensure. PreK-12 teacher candidates earn their teaching license during their M.A.T. year.
Dance arts licensure: Must major in performing arts [dance track] (B.A.)
Theatre arts licensure: Must major in performing arts [theatre track] (B.A.)
Visual arts licensure: Must major in visual arts [history and image or studio art track] (B.A.)
Special Education (K-12)
In addition to teacher candidates’ primary licensure track, Sweet Briar education program students can add on a special education general curriculum endorsement. This endorsement qualifies teacher candidates to serve as special education teachers, but it also supports the development of high-quality general education teachers who want to learn how to best serve the diverse students within their classrooms.