Biology Education
Secondary education with licensure in biology qualifies a student to teach biology in grades 6-12. Because EMU’s program is approved by NCATE, the national accrediting association, this licensure is accepted in most of the U.S.
Licensure involves a double major in education and biology, including one semester of student teaching and many other practical experiences in schools.
About teacher education at EMU
Here we prepare future teachers who teach boldly in a changing world through an ethic of care and critical reflection. For them, teaching is a calling, an act of service to the world.
Two key characteristics of our teacher education program are: sending future teachers into classrooms early, and reflective practice, which is woven into all education courses at EMU.
Highest accreditation standards in the nation
Our teacher education program has carried the highest national accreditation standards in the nation for more than 30 years: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). EMU is one of only five private colleges in Virginia to be NCATE-certified.
Teacher graduate success
Employers know EMU teacher education graduates come from a high-quality program. In 2012, 96% of program graduates who sought teaching positions were employed to teach within six months of graduation and graduated with an average grade point average (GPA) of 3.38. 100% of program graduates pass the state licensure exams.
Professors attribute this success to the many various field experience students have throughout the program; by the fourth week of classes, EMU teacher education students are in the field observing and putting their lessons into practice in classrooms.