A Master of Arts in Education is now being offered at Virginia Wesleyan after being approved by the Virginia Board of Education. This will be the second graduate program to come to Wesleyan, after the Master of Business Administration. Students who are getting their bachelor’s degree in education now have the ability to continue their education studies at the university.
In President Miller’s nota bene from Oct. 30, he stated that “the program will offer graduate-level endorsement in biology, chemistry, earth science, English, French, Pre K-12, Spanish Pre K-12, Latin Pre K-12, history and social sciences, mathematics, instrumental/vocal PreK-12, theater arts PreK-12, and visual arts PreK-12.”
According to the VWU website, additional sections of the program include cognition and human development, exceptional student populations to include special needs, as well as gifted and talented individuals, and collaborating with families and communities.
Betty Michels, an elementary education major, intends on capitalizing on the opportunity to participate in the new master’s program. “Instead of having to apply and go to a whole other two-year or longer master’s program this was just an easy option. I live in Virginia Beach and I know that by the time I’m finishing my undergrad it will make sense to do one more year to get my master’s,” Michels said.
Interested in teaching lower elementary level classes or pre-K, Michels would be able to acquire the skills she needs for that specific job through classes in the master’s program. “I just really like younger kids and I thought about teaching high school English but I feel like I’d rather teach multiple things,” Michels added.
A key component of the new graduate program is the 2-semester internship in secondary education settings that will begin in the fall and will conclude with a 10-12 week student teaching experience in the spring semester. Through this internship, future teachers will prepare for the ever-changing education landscape that the twenty-first century brings, and also gain insight through face-to-face classroom experiences.
Through the education major at Virginia Wesleyan thus far, Michels has enjoyed getting a taste of the teaching experience. “I like that there is the Tidewater Collegiate Academy right next to campus, so I can easily go over there in between my classes and observe the kids and hang out with them,” Michels said.
Megan Sherman
mrsherman@vwu.edu