A liberal arts education provides excellent preparation for elementary and secondary school teaching. All states require professional education courses for licensure to teach in public schools, although requirements differ from state to state. In most cases, students who meet the requirements for a Virginia license will receive initial licensure to teach in all other states through reciprocal agreements among State Directors of Teacher Education and Licensure. Students should be aware that private secondary schools now tend to favor applicants who have been licensed through a state-approved program.

Students interested in attaining a Virginia state license in elementary or secondary education should plan to take Psychology 113, and History 107 or 108, and Physical Education 304 at Washington and Lee. Other interdepartmental requirements for licensure may be fulfilled in various ways as part of Washington and Lee’s Foundation and Distribution Requirements. Washington and Lee currently offers five professional studies courses in education and two options for practicum fieldwork. Additional opportunities exist through directed individual study. Professional studies courses not offered at W&L can be accessed at Mary Baldwin College; students must apply through the EXCHANGE Program. (Applicants must have a minimum 2.500 cumulative grade-point average to participate in the EXCHANGE Program. Applications for EXCHANGE are available from the University Registrar or the Office of Teacher Education.) To assure that they will meet all the requirements for licensure, students should see Washington and Lee’s Director of Teacher Education, Lenna Ojure, during their first year.

For those with an interest in teaching who lack the time to pursue a teaching license, a more limited number of professional studies courses may be taken. Opportunities exist for varied field experiences in the local area. The Director of Teacher Education assists students with this planning, utilizing appropriate Washington and Lee courses and the EXCHANGE Program. Information is also available on the Teacher Education Web site, teachereducation.wlu.edu.

Students hoping to teach at the college level should contact the appropriate academic department for information about graduate study.