Master’s in Education – M.Ed. in Teaching for Career Switchers

On completing the M.Ed. in Teaching for Career Switchers, you can:

• Assess and evaluate students under the mentorship of a seasoned instructor.
• Transition smoothly from your former career into a full-time teaching role.
• Manage a classroom, develop curriculum, and lead instructional initiatives.
• Qualify for higher-level education positions, including administrative roles.
• Gain essential skills in leadership, organization, and administration that can boost your career and earning potential.

Career Opportunities

• Elementary School Teacher (PreK-3 or PreK-6)
• Middle School Teacher
• High School Teacher
• Principal/Administrator
• Educational Director or Consultant
• Curriculum Developer or Instructional Specialist
• PreK-12 Educational 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.

Professional Licensure – General Concentration (30 credits)

Prepares Career Switchers for middle and high school (6-12) teaching in the Commonwealth of Virginia across a range of subject areas.

Professional Licensure – Elementary Education Concentration (PreK-3 and PreK-6) (30 credits)

The only M.Ed. Career Switcher concentration in Virginia with a dedicated Elementary Education pathway. Prepares candidates for PreK-3 or PreK-6 licensure.

Professional Licensure – Special Education Concentration (30 credits) — Pending VDOE Approval

Prepares Career Switchers for licensure in special education.

Non-Licensure Concentration (30 credits)

Designed for career changers and education professionals who want to deepen their expertise in education without pursuing Virginia teaching licensure.

All concentrations share a common Level I core of 18 credit hours. Students then complete Level II and concentration-specific requirements to reach 30 total credit hours.

Core Courses — Required of All Concentrations (Level I, 18 credits)

• 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 Courses — Required for All Professional Licensure Concentrations

Career Switcher Program Director approval is required prior to enrolling in Level II courses. The following prerequisites must be met:

• Attendance at two online workshops each semester, as required by VDOE and embedded in Level I courses
• Completion of all statutory training certificates included in Level I courses (Dyslexia, Child Abuse & Neglect, Seclusion & Restraint, Meaningful IEPs, Cultural Competency, and Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment)
• All required forms for 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 the same discipline as the licensure endorsement

Once Level II prerequisites are met, the following courses are required:

• 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)

After completing the concentration courses and teaching requirements, candidates must also:

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

Professional Licensure – General Concentration (30 credits)

Concentration requirements (in addition to Level I core and Level II courses):

• Two elective courses from the approved elective list (6 credits)
• Passing Praxis II scores in the endorsement subject area prior to admission

Professional Licensure – Elementary Education Concentration (PreK-3 and PreK-6) (30 credits)

Concentration requirements (in addition to Level I core and Level II courses):

• EFND 529 Literacy and Language Acquisition for Transitioning Elementary Grade Teachers (3)
• One elective course from the approved elective list (3 credits)
• Admission requirement: Passing scores on both Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) and Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) prior to admission
• Admission requirement: Transcript evidence of core subject knowledge as required by VDOE (English, Mathematics, Laboratory Sciences, History/Social Science, and Arts)

Professional Licensure – Special Education Concentration (30 credits) — Pending VDOE Approval

Concentration requirements (in addition to Level I core and Level II courses):

• ETSP 571 Foundations of Human Growth and Development & Legal Aspects for Special Education (3)
• ETSP 572 Characteristics & Behavior Management of Students with Exceptional Needs (3)
• Admission requirement: Passing score on Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) prior to admission

Non-Licensure Concentration (30 credits)

Concentration requirements (in addition to Level I core): 12 credit hours of electives from the approved list.

Approved Elective Courses

• EADM 507 Data Literacy for Improvement (3)
• EADM 528 Policy, Law, and Ethics (3)
• EDIP 541 Developmental Leadership (3)
• EDIP 543 Technology in Education (3)
• EGTL 500 Introduction to Gifted and Talented Learners (3)
• EGTL 510 Curriculum and Instruction for Gifted Learners (3)
• ESTM 501 Inquiry through STEM (3)
• ESTM 503 Developing STEM-Based Curriculum (3)
• ETSL 505 Serving English Language Learners in K-12 Classrooms (3)
• ETSP 571 Foundations of Human Growth and Development & Legal Aspects for Special Education (3)
• ETSP 572 Characteristics & Behavior Management of Students with Exceptional Needs (3)

Course Sequence

Level I:

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

Level II:

Spring Session C: EFND 537

Fall Session B: EFND 536

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 and three years of full time professional work experience are required for both elementary and secondary tracks.

Additional Requirements:

• CS (Elementary): If you are planning to teach either pre-K-3 or pre-K-6 in an elementary school, click here for an outline of admission requirements.
• CS (Secondary): If you are planning to teach in either a middle or high school, you will need to pass the Praxis II in the subject area you plan to teach.

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 where you received undergraduate credits.

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 filling out the documents accurately; incorrect forms can result in a prolonged review period for admissions.

• 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

We are able to accept an unofficial copy of your Praxis II exam in order to review your file for an admission decision. Please submit your unofficial scores to regent.edu/items.

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

Step 6: 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.

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.

All concentrations are 30 credit hours. Tuition rates vary depending on the course type:

• Required Level I and concentration core courses: $250 per credit hour
• Elective courses: $585 per credit hour

Additional fees include a University Services Fee ($750/semester for online students) and a one-time Library Orientation fee ($50). Rates are subject to change at any time.

• Career Switcher for Elementary Education Licensure Certificate
• Certificate of Graduate Studies in Career Switcher
• M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction
• M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
• M.Ed. in K-12 Special Education
• M.Ed. in TESOL – K-12