Education

As an education major at RMC, practical, hands-on experiences are at the heart of your learning from day one. Fieldwork in the classroom begins as part of your first education course, thanks to Randolph-Macon’s partnerships with the seven school divisions in the Richmond area. Guided by expert faculty who know you by name, the completion of the RMC education program culminates with a 10-year Virginia state teaching license that can be made valid in 46 states.

Randolph-Macon’s robust education program is Virginia Department of Education-approved and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Education
pathways Choose a major

Your educational pathway is yours to choose, and there are a variety of paths that prepare you to meet the requirements prescribed by the Virginia State Board of Education for immediate career placement in Virginia.

Majors in Education

Elementary Education

If you intend to teach elementary school, a major in elementary education PK-6 is the degree for you.

elementary education MAJOR requirements

EDUCATION (SeCondary, ARTS, language)

This pathway is for teaching in a specific content area in grades 6-12, and should be paired with a second major in the subject you plan to teach: English, History or Social Science (Political Science), Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or Physics or for PK-12 teachers: Spanish, Latin, Music, and Theatre.

Education (SECONDARY, ARTS, LANGUAGE) Requirements

Exceptional Education

Specialize in teaching children with special needs with an exceptional education K-12 major. (Candidates who major in elementary education may also specialize in exceptional education with a minor.)

exceptional education MAJOR requirements

Education Studies

Interested in education coursework, but don’t plan to pursue licensure? Education Studies is for you!

education studies MAJOR requirements

To pursue a major or minor in education, you’ll need to apply to the teacher preparation program.

100%

teacher placement after graduation
10-40

hours of teaching field work every semester
12

the average class size for education majors

education up close In and beyond the classroom

A group of education students work on lesson plans together while sitting at a table

fieldwork and student teaching

At Randolph-Macon, teaching and working in the field is the cornerstone of the education program, even early in your educational journey. As an education student, you’ll participate in 10 hours of fieldwork for every course including observing teachers, tutoring students, working in small groups, teaching whole-class lessons, planning for instruction, assessing students, and reflecting on your instruction. The capstone of the program is your student teaching experience, during which education students complete 300 hours of student teaching (or 13+ weeks) in the spring of senior year, graduating with more fieldwork classroom experience than nearly all education programs across the state.

advising and mentorship

RMC education faculty are caring and experienced professionals with years of practical experience in K-12 schools, making them ideal mentors and teachers for future educators. They’ll help you navigate the teacher preparation program, from application to licensure. And there’s no better way to become a highly qualified and effective teacher than with lots of fieldwork experience guided by education professionals who know and support you from your first day on campus through graduation and beyond.

education faculty

Education student and faculty member discuss coursework sitting at a table

RMC Education student ride bikes around Barcelona, Spain on a study abroad travel course.

global education

Traveling to another country expands your teaching and learning on a global scale. For a truly international learning experience, you can journey to places like Italy, Spain, Japan, England and Africa as part of the Comparative Education (EDUC 202) travel course. In spring 2022, together with Dr. Savanna Love and Dr. Diana Yesbeck, education students traveled to Barcelona, Spain during the January Term (J-Term) exploring the streets of the historical city, meeting teachers and students, and seeing how the country’s rich culture, art and food influence the Spanish education system.

study abroad

Education in full Courses You Won’t Want to Miss

(A very small sample)

Examine historical and curricular perspectives on multicultural education; the nature and function of culture; the development of individual and group cultural identity; definitions and implications of diversity; and the influences of culture on learning, development, and pedagogy. Participate in semester-long teaching fieldwork with Richmond public schools.

Examine the ways electronic and digital technology can be effectively integrated into educational settings to enhance teaching and learning. Gain valuable skills during a unique online fieldwork experience with Virtual Virginia, an online instruction platform for K-12 students in Virginia and nationwide.

Integrate, refine and apply your knowledge and skills by assuming full teaching responsibilities for a 10 to 13 week hands-on teaching experience. Become a highly qualified teacher through reflective practice and mentorship.

All Education Courses

Considering RMC as a transfer or for post-baccalaureate licensure?

Transfer or post-baccalaureate students should contact the appropriate program coordinator for information:

Education Studies – Dyanis Conrad
Elementary Education – Diana Yesbeck
Secondary and Music Education – Erin McDonnell-Jones
Special Education – Amber Peacock
Post-Baccalaureate/Non-Degree Seeking – April Marchetti, Department Chair

Opportunities Worth Grabbing

Popular activities and programs among education majors

Student Virginia Education Association

Student group, affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA) and the Virginia Education Association (VEA)

Council for Exceptional Children

From Here To What you can do with an Education degree from RMC.

Chris Murray ’05

Secondary/Social Studies Teacher
American School of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

“My time at Randolph-Macon was invaluable for preparing me for a career in education. My minor in secondary education allowed me one-on-one mentorship from Macon professors whose experiences in the field of education prepared me with the skills to face the challenges that classroom teachers routinely face. My other minor in Asian Studies provided me with the opportunity to learn a second language and travel and experience Chinese culture first hand. International travel and cultural and language exchanges while at Macon have helped me better connect with my students and made me a lover of travel, which is why my family is now living in Mexico.”

Peyton Humphreys ’22

Fifth Grade Teacher
Richmond Public Schools

Laurah Duff ’21

Middle School Math Teacher
Hanover Public Schools

Alyssa Bradley M.Ed ’18

Educational Diagnostician
Spotsylvania County Public Schools

Kenneth White Ed.D ’12

Principal
Highland Springs High School

Jocelyn Carver Wyman ’11

English Teacher and Department Chair
Manchester High School

Tara Pirtle Garner Ed.S ’00

Head of School
Aylett Country Day School

BuzzWorthy The latest from RMC Education

Students from Mechanicsville High School presented their student-run business and received lessons from RMC Education majors focused on a transition from high school to independent living.

Two Mechanicsville High School students sit at a table with an RMC Education student, each with name tags, smiling during a lesson.

A joint SURF project with faculty and students from the Departments of Education and Computer Science produced a VR experience to help new teachers better manage classroom dynamics.

Four people in a meeting room use devices; one stands with a VR headset before a screen showing a virtual environment.

Dr. Erin McDonnell-Jones, Associate Professor of Education at Randolph-Macon College, was recently awarded a grant from the Virginia Academic Library Consortium to create new open educational resources for future teachers across Virginia.

More to explore 55+ areas of study to discover at RMC

Professor Volpicelli holds a book and sits two Randolph-Macon students outside on Adirondack chairs

All areas of study

Get Ready Discover Education at RMC.

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Education
pathways Choose a major