Career Switcher for Elementary Education Licensure Certificate

On completing the Career Switcher for Elementary Education Licensure Certificate, you can:

• Earn your Virginia provisional teaching license and begin teaching in your own PreK-3 or PreK-6 classroom.
• Transition confidently from your previous career into a full-time teaching role backed by Regent mentorship.
• Qualify to pursue an M.Ed. in Teaching for Career Switchers with just two additional courses.

Career Opportunities

• Licensed Teacher
• Private Tutor or Learning Center Instructor
• Curriculum Developer or Instructional Designer
• Education Consultant or Specialist
• Corporate Trainer or Workforce Development Instructor

Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.

Steps to Licensure

The Career Switcher program consists of two levels: Level I and Level II. Upon completing the Level 1 requirements, Career Switchers can secure their provisional Career Switcher teaching license and get started in the classroom right away.

The following courses must be completed at Regent University:

Must be completed in the first semester:

• UNIV LIB Information Research & Resources (0)

LEVEL I

Level I preparation includes a minimum of 180 clock hours of instruction, plus field experience. After completing Level I preparation, candidates are awarded a one-year Career Switcher Provisional License and are expected to obtain employment in a Virginia public or accredited non-public school. For Career Switcher Provisional License requirements, visit the Virginia Department of Education.

• EFND 529 Literacy and Language Acquisition for Transitioning Elementary Grade Teachers (3)
• EFND 530 Foundations in Education for Transitioning Professionals (3)
• EFND 531 Exploring the Curriculum (3)
• EFND 532 Classroom Management for Transitioning Teachers (3)
• EFND 533 Teaching Students Effectively (3)
• EFND 534 Assessment & Evaluation Techniques (3)
• EFND 535 Child & Adolescent Growth & Development for Transitioning Teachers (3)

LEVEL II

Level II preparation is required by VDOE to be taken during a Career Switcher’s first year of teaching and consists of two courses and mentorships — trained mentors are assigned to assist candidates throughout their first year of employment. Format includes one year in a full-time, paid teaching position at a public or accredited non-public school. The online courses and mentorships take place during this time.

• EFND 536 Advanced Practices I for Transitioning Teachers (3)*
• EFND 537 Advanced Practices II for Transitioning Teachers (3)*
• EFND 549CS Mentorship A (0)*
• EFND 553CS Mentorship B (0)*

*The following are required to be completed in order to obtain Career Switcher Program Director approval to enroll in Level II and are subject to change based on revisions approved by the Virginia Department of Education:

• Attending two online workshops held on campus each semester, included in the Level I courses.
• Certificates for the following statutory training, in which the necessary training is included in the Level I courses:
  • Dyslexia training
  • Child Abuse and Neglect
  • Seclusion and restraint
  • Meaning IEPs
  • Cultural Competency
  • Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment
  • Industry credential approved by the Virginia Department of Education (for Career & Technical Education endorsement areas only)
• All required forms required by the Virginia Department of Education and Regent University for obtaining a Career Switcher Provisional License.
• Official Transcripts from all post-secondary academic institutions
• Full or part time teaching position in same discipline as the licensure endorsement
• First Aid, CPR, AED Training
  • Documentation that verifies completion of certification or training in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED). The certification or training program shall be based on the current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator, such as a program developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Note: VDOE no longer accepts training certificates obtained from an online source – training must be conducted in person.

After completing the course and teaching requirements, the following are also required for requesting Professional Licensure and completing the certificate program:

• Submit all necessary documents to Regent University’s Certification and Licensure Official
• Secure an administrator-level recommendation for professional licensure from the hiring school

Course Sequence

Sequence of course offerings: Level I

From SU23 onwards, all six Level I courses will be offered every semester. Candidates wishing to complete Level I in just one semester should plan to start in Sessions A, B, C, D, E, or F.

Sequence of course offerings: Level II

• Fall Session B: EFND 536
• Spring Session C: EFND 537

2026-27 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

Prerequisites

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution 
• Three years of full-time professional work experience
• View a comprehensive outline of PreK-3 and PreK-6 admission requirements.

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Official Transcripts

Submit official transcripts from all institutions for any credits you earned post high school level.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution.

International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES– or NAFSA-approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your VDOE Application and Report on Experience

Submit your official VDOE Career Switcher Application and Report on Experience forms with a wet-ink signature to the address below. To ensure your documents are correct prior to mailing the official copy, please submit an unofficial copy to regent.edu/items. Prospects are responsible for completing the documents accurately; incorrect forms can result in a prolonged admissions review period.

• VDOE Career Switcher Application Form
• VDOE Report on Experience Form

Mailing Address:

Regent University
Enrollment Support Services
1000 Regent University Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Note: Prospects should not call the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) concerning this program; any questions will be answered by Regent University.

Step 4: Provide Praxis II Scores

Elementary Education Career Switchers are required to take and pass a Praxis II assessment(s) in the designated specialty area prior to admission into the program. Applicants are required to take and pass Praxis II assessment(s) in the designated specialty area prior to admission into the program. The required Praxis II exam must align with the Elementary Education endorsement areas for licensure. Additionally, applicants must also complete the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) Career Switcher application and a Report on Experience form. These are available online on our Regent University Career Switcher application webpage. The state application does include a declaration of criminal history.

The following admission requirements must be met in order to enroll in the Career Switcher Elementary Education (PreK-3 or PreK-6) Licensure Certificate:

• Passing Praxis Scores on the following two tests prior to admission to the program:
  • Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001)
  • Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205)
• Provide transcript evidence of the following courses. Any missing courses may be taken at Regent University:
  • Six semester hours in English (composition, oral communication, and literature)
    • ENGL 101 English Composition (3) and
    • ENGL 205 Literature of the Western World (3)
  • Six semester hours in Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, or Probability & Statistics, AND Teaching Elementary Mathematics)
    • ESTM Teaching Math & Technology (3)
    • MATH 102 College Algebra (3)
    • UIS 330 Topics in Geometry for Teachers (3)
    • UIS 201 Probability and Statistics for Teachers (3)
  • PreK-6: Nine semester hours and PreK-3: Six semester hours in Laboratory Sciences (in two science disciplines, i.e. Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, AND teaching elementary science)
    • BIOL 101 Introduction to Biology with Laboratory (4)
    • EASC 101 Introduction to Earth Science with Laboratory (4)
    • ESTM 510 Teaching Science & Technology (3)
  • Three semester hours in History, three semester hours in Social Science (Geography or Economics), AND three semester hours in teaching elementary social studies)
    • ECON 101 Introduction to Economics (3)
    • EELM 505 Teaching Social Studies & Technology (3)
    • GEOG 101 World Geography (3)
    • HIST 201 U.S. History I (to 1877) (3)
    • HIST 211 World History I (3)
  • Three semester hours in Arts
    • ARTA 120 Introduction to Drawing (3)

We are able to accept an unofficial copy of your Praxis II exam in order to review your file for an initial admission decision. However, an official copy is required to be on file and verified to be officially accepted.

• For more information or to register for the Praxis, visit www.ets.org.
• Preparation for Praxis II

Step 5: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Additional Requirements

Background Check: Because the program includes direct contact with students in field experiences, applicants to the Career Switcher Program must submit a background check. Regent University School of Education has entered into an agreement with CastleBranch, a private vendor that conducts background checks for many universities and educational institutions. After you are admitted into the program, you will be provided instructions to set up an online profile with CastleBranch and request your background check. Learn more.

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

• Certificate of Graduate Studies: Education
• Certificate of Graduate Studies in Career Switcher
• M.Ed. in Teaching (IDP)