{"id":58149,"date":"2025-02-06T14:55:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T19:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=58149"},"modified":"2025-02-06T13:29:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T18:29:44","slug":"amidst-a-decline-in-qualified-teachers-emu-answers-the-call","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2025\/amidst-a-decline-in-qualified-teachers-emu-answers-the-call\/","title":{"rendered":"Amidst a decline in qualified teachers, EMU answers the call"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Graduate certificate equips new teachers with the tools needed to better serve their students<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Classrooms are in crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The teaching profession is experiencing its lowest levels of employment in 50 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>. More and more of those who are teaching have a short-term provisional license in lieu of a standard license and often have little to no actual training as teachers. There\u2019s a growing need in the educational landscape and EMU has responded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new graduate certificate program equips provisionally licensed teachers with the skills and tools needed to better serve their students, while preparing them for licensure and helping tackle a nationwide teacher shortage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Teaching and Learning Graduate Certificate, offered through EMU\u2019s Graduate Teacher Education program<\/a>, is designed for those with a bachelor\u2019s degree and a provisional license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a provisional teaching license?<\/strong>
When someone has a bachelor\u2019s degree but has not completed a teacher preparation program or is a career professional looking to transition into teaching, they can apply through their school division for a provisional license from the Virginia Department of Education. This temporary license allows teachers to work while they complete the requirements for a full teaching license. It\u2019s nonrenewable and valid for up to three years (Virginia Administrative Code<\/a>). <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

EMU\u2019s Teaching and Learning Graduate Certificate program, which launched during the Spring 2025 semester, consists of five courses totaling 15 credit hours. Those who complete the sequence of courses advance their academic training and fulfill the professional requirements set by the Virginia Department of Education for a full teaching license, while earning graduate credit. The classes can be applied toward a master\u2019s degree in education if students want to continue their studies. The graduate certificate also serves as a standalone credential and can be used to burnish a resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n