Professional Studies
Contact Information
Institute for Distance and Distributed Learning
phone: 866 / 791-4898
fax: 540 / 231-2079
Program Site
Professional Studies
Program Director
Ken Potter, Program Director

Summary

The Professional Studies courses at Virginia Tech are designed to provide a flexible, online option for completion of the professional studies coursework requirement for licensure to teach at the secondary level in Virginia. Individuals teaching under a provisional license or wishing to teach in Virginia may take this series of courses to satisfy the professional studies requirement for full licensure. Program instruction is offered through 15 credit hours of online courses covering the following topics:

  • Human Growth and Development
    • Intellectual Development
    • Physical, Social & Emotional Development
    • Understanding Developmental Disabilities
  • Foundations of Education
    • Understanding the Teaching Profession
    • Historical, Philosophical & Social Foundations of Education
    • Political, Economic, & Legal Issues in Education
  • Curriculum and Instructional Procedures
    • Instructional Models & Strategies
    • Motivating & Fostering Responsibility in Students
    • Accommodating Diversity: Gifted, Challenged, & Culturally Diverse Students
    • Aligning Outcomes, Instruction and Assessment
    • Using and Integrating Technology in Instruction
  • Reading in the Content Areas
  • Classroom and Behavior Management
Acceptance into the program is based on satisfactory completion of eligibility requirements, including the recommendation of the educational agency employing the applicant. In addition to the employer’s recommendation, applicants must have work experience, the characteristics of a successful online learner, and the capabilities of completing their course assignments in an online environment.

Delivery

  • Completely online, primarily asynchronous