This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. We may add courses that expose our students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning. We may also add content to the general education program that focuses on racial literacy and a racial literacy graduation requirement, and may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
The graduate Certificate in Teaching Elementary Education prepares students to become teachers in high-needs and hard-to-staff elementary schools. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of science, social studies, literacy and mathematics pedagogy and content. The program provides RTR students field experiences during a one-year residency to expose them to classroom teaching and classroom management. Provisionally licensed teachers can complete clinical experiences in their own classrooms. Graduates will be prepared to teach in elementary (PK-6) classroom settings and will meet the needs of elementary students with a focus on urban and high-needs schools. This program is available in an online format.
Information on the RTR program can be found at teachRTR.org.
Graduates will receive a credential for successfully completing the program. The certificate does not provide full teacher licensure; however, the course work may be used to fulfill the requirements for provisional teacher licensure through a public school system.
Student learning outcomes
- Learner and learning: Students will understand human development and learning theories appropriate to the age group they will teach and acquire an awareness of the diversity of the school-age populations’ cultural backgrounds, learning strengths and needs.
- Content: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the subjects they will teach.
- Instructional practice: Students will demonstrate an ability to plan and implement effective teaching and measure student learning in ways that lead to sustained development and learning.
- Professional responsibility: Students will develop an understanding of purposes for education and a defensible philosophical approach toward teaching and demonstrate professional dispositions.
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.