The FAST TRAIN Elementary Education Program (PK-6) is specifically designed for prospective teachers and educators who are working abroad or who plan on going overseas to teach and want a license and/or Master’s degree in elementary education. Upon successful completion, this program provides teacher candidates with a Virginia State License and can lead to a Level I -IB Teacher Award under the IB Award Scheme. Please see IB Program for details.
The courses listed in the elementary curriculum are scaffolded to include elements of Virginia state requirements, NCATE requirements and IB standards. As a result, transfer credit from other elementary programs may not be accepted.
Curriculum
The program course work consists of:
For detailed information about the course work, view the curriculum.
Program Formats
Students in the program can participate in one of two ways:
For a detailed schedule, view the program schedule.
Field Experience
Field experience is required for all licensure courses and most Master’s degree courses.
Internship
A teaching internship is also required for licensure. In lieu of a teaching internship, a student may teach for one year, full time, in an accredited international school as an elementary teacher (students can not teach locally).
Endorsement Requirements
Endorsement requirements also exist for elementary education students.
Testing
Elementary education students must also take qualifying exams before obtaining a license. Students who plan on student teaching must have fulfilled all of the testing requirements prior to student teaching: