Master of Arts in Education
Fifth-year licensure track. 13 endorsement areas. One year.
The Batten University Master of Arts in Education is a CAEP-accredited fifth-year program that takes students with a bachelor’s degree in a content area and prepares them for initial Virginia teaching licensure in one year. The MAEd combines rigorous graduate coursework with a two-semester internship in partner schools — putting real students in front of real classrooms from day one, not just at the end.
The program is unique in its field-based approach: rather than treating student teaching as a capstone bolt-on, the MAEd builds clinical experience into every semester. Candidates graduate having spent a full academic year embedded in schools alongside a university supervisor and a public-school mentor.
Endorsement Areas
The MAEd offers 13 endorsement areas across secondary (6–12) and preK–12 education. Your undergraduate degree becomes the content foundation — the MAEd adds the pedagogy and the license.
Secondary Endorsement Areas (6–12)
PreK–12 Endorsement Areas
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Latin
- Vocal/Choral Music
- Theatre Arts
- Visual Arts
All endorsement areas are approved by the Virginia Board of Education and accredited by CAEP.
How the Program Works
The MAEd runs for three semesters plus a January Term. Full-time enrollment required. The internship begins in the fall — not spring.
Summer & Fall — Year 1
Coursework + Practicum
- Graduate coursework in curriculum, pedagogy, and development
- EDUC 510, 511, 520, 530, 535, 540, 550
- EDUC 610: Methods, Media & Materials for Secondary Education
- EDUC 611: Internship in Secondary Education — fall semester field placement (middle school / elementary for preK–12)
January Term
January Term
- EDUC 621: Collaboration with Families, Communities & School Personnel
- Intensive 2-credit course delivered during the January Term
Spring — Year 1
Student Teaching
- EDUC 620: Research Methods in Education
- EDUC 625: Creating a Culture of Evidence-based Learning
- EDUC 690: Internship in Supervised Teaching — 10–12 week student teaching placement (8 credits)
- EDUC 691: Internship Seminar (corequisite with 690)
The two-semester internship begins in the fall and culminates with a 10–12 week student teaching experience in the spring. Both semesters are spent in partner school settings alongside a university supervisor and a public-school mentor. View full course requirements and descriptions ›
Admission Requirements
Admission is rolling — decisions go out approximately 4–6 weeks after all materials are received. Students are encouraged to apply as early as their sophomore year. Full admission requirements on the Admission Requirements page.
Complete a bachelor’s degree in the endorsement area in which you hope to teach, with appropriate content coursework for the MAEd track.
Achieve a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.8. Conditional admission may be available with faculty approval.
Submit passing scores on the Praxis Subject test for your content area prior to admission. See Virginia licensure requirements for test codes and passing scores.
Complete and submit the MAEd online application. Start as early as your sophomore year — don’t wait until senior year.
Conditional admission prior to graduation is contingent on successful completion of coursework in progress and receipt of the bachelor’s degree.
Explore the MAEd Program
Contact the MAEd Program
Director of Teacher Education
