Intensive Level I preparation includes a minimum of 180 clock hours of instruction, including field experience. This phase includes, but is not limited to, curriculum and instruction (including instructional technology), reading in the content area, language acquisition, differentiation of instruction, classroom/behavior management, instructional design based on assessment data, human growth and development and other specific course work related to the Virginia Standards of Learning. Level I requirements must be completed during the course of a single year and may be offered through a variety of delivery systems, including distance learning programs. After completing Level I preparation, candidates may be awarded a one-year Provisional Career Switcher License (July 1 to June 30 of a given year). The Provisional Career Switcher License is active for the first year after the completion of the program requirements. During this time, candidates are expected to seek and obtain employment in a Virginia public school division or accredited nonpublic schools in Virginia. If a candidate is unsuccessful in finding employment during the first year of the life of the Provisional Career Switcher License, the license may be extended annually for up to two additional years upon the recommendation of an employing school division or accredited nonpublic school. A Provisional Career Switcher license is limited to a total of three years.
Read the detailed requirements on the Virginia Department of Education website.
Old Dominion University's level I curriculum provides candidates with a unique, fast-paced path to acquisition of skills, competencies, and dispositions we know to be essential for successful professional teacher practice.
Level I Observation/Practicum Overview
This section is for Level I enrolled students, only
Experience in diverse PreK-12 classrooms represents an important component within all high-quality teacher preparation programs, including the Career Switcher Program. Required in-school observation/practicum offers participants the opportunity to make contacts in school districts while gaining knowledge about teacher practice.
All Career Switcher Program candidates are required to complete a minimum of 30 Observation/Practicum hours while reflecting on the Professional Study Requirements and how they correlate with the Career Switcher Program's Enduring Understandings In addition to the 30 hours of observation/practicum, Career Switcher candidates are required to lead a 50-minute lesson (Lesson Plan Presentation) in the host classroom.
Level I Curriculum
ODU's CS Program's Level I curriculum not only addresses the Virginia Department of Education's current licensure regulations; it also addresses the preparation needs as identified by our PreK-12 stakeholders. The Program requires 309 clock hours of instruction for Elementary Education, 279 for Middle Education and 234 hours for PreK-12/Secondary education.
Process & Support for Candidates to Complete the Program Who Are Not Employed
Career Switcher candidates who are not employed will have the opportunity to obtain additional support by completing the online Career Switcher Level II student support form. Service options include:
- Free Level I refresher training
- Mock interviews
- Career Development Services
- Customized Support based on individual needs
Candidates unemployed for more than two years are required to attend all or some of Level I training free of charge.