The Career Switcher Program at VCU is an approved alternate route to teacher licensure in Virginia. Our program is designed for prospective teachers from different career and life experiences and focuses on the needs of school divisions serving marginalized and high-poverty communities. This accelerated program will move prospective teachers into the classroom within one year, with the support of experienced faculty and teacher mentors. Current teachers who are in the first year of a provisional license may enroll in Level I of the Career Switcher Program and become eligible for a full license after completion of Level II.*
Bachelor’s degree
Three years full-time work experience or its equivalent
Passing scores on the VA qualifying exams (VCLA and PRAXIS subject assessment)
Fastest route to teacher licensure in Virginia
Fully online, synchronous virtual class schedule geared towards working professionals
Program design to meet the needs of educators serving underserved communities (e.g. urban, rural, and high poverty)
Endorsements offered are primarily for the secondary level (middle and high school)
VCU mentor support
Completion of the VCU Career Switcher Program can lead to licensure in one of the following areas:
Career & Technical Education: Business and Information Technology, Marketing Education, Technology Education, Family & Consumer Sciences
Computer Science
English
English as a Second Language PreK-12
Foreign Languages PreK-12: French, German, Spanish
Course modules and field experiences. Candidates will be eligible for a Virginia Provisional Career Switcher license after completion of Level I.
Level II
One year full-time employment, monthly seminars, and mentor support. Candidates will be eligible for a Virginia 10-year renewable license after successful completion of Level II.
All participants in the VCU Career Switcher Program matriculate through the program with a designated cohort.
Level I: Course modules and field experiences. Candidates will be eligible for a Provisional Career Switcher license after completion of Level I.
Level II: One year full-time employment, monthly seminars, and mentors. Candidates will be eligible for a 10-year renewable license after successful completion of Level II.
Option 1
10-month Level I cohort
Level I classes meet August through June and are enrolled in one class at a time.
Application deadline: July 9, 2023
Option 2
5-month Level I cohort
Level I classes meet March through July and are enrolled in two classes at a time.
All Level II seminars will be scheduled the academic year following Level I completion.
Application deadline: TBD
VCU is not accepting applications for the spring cohort at this time. More information about upcoming deadlines will be posted soon.
