Career Switcher Program
Career Switcher Info Session
For more information about the Career Switcher program please join us for the Fall 2023 Career Switcher Information Session on April 5th, 2023 at 6 pm. >>Register here to sign up.
About
VCU School of Education’s fully-online Career Switcher program, with an in-person classroom practicum, features dedicated mentors and closely-knit cohorts. You don’t need a background in Education to participate. We prepare college graduates like you to teach while emphasizing success in urban, rural, and high-need schools.
The total cost for Career Switcher is $5,500, with monthly payment options. Military veterans are eligible for a stipend which reduces the cost by 50%.
>> Apply by June 2, 2023 to join our Fall 2023 Cohort.
Ready to explore a new career and help with Virginia's teacher shortage? This accelerated program will move prospective teachers into the classroom early with full-time employment while working with experienced teachers and university education faculty.
The Career Switcher program improves retention of fully licensed teachers in local school divisions, preparing teachers close to home, where they are likely to stay and consequently improve retention of fully licensed teachers in those school divisions.
Career Switcher Program Pillars
- Recruitment and admission of highly qualified teacher education candidates.
- A curriculum with strong pedagogical principles based on Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
- Involvement of the community as vital partners.
- Competency-based exit requirements that ensure teachers are equipped to be successful in urban, rural, and high poverty communities.
- A VCU Induction Mentor Program during Level II.
Career Switcher Program Goals
- To engage, prepare, and support success for diverse and experienced professionals that seek to transition to the classroom and provide quality education for students in urban, rural, and high poverty schools.
- To cultivate a passion for equity and social justice in diverse urban, rural, and high poverty communities and develops talented career-changers to be effective and informed teachers.
CONTACT US: Please contact Tessa Boutwell (boutwelltr@vcu.edu), if you have additional questions about the program.
Click here to download VCU Career Switcher Program Overview.
