Certificate of Graduate Studies in Career Switcher
Have you always felt called to teach but are stuck in your current career? Prepare yourself for a career in the classroom with the Certificate of Graduate Studies in Career Switcher. Expand your knowledge and skills as you transition into teaching and learn about the latest cutting-edge teaching practices, all taught from a Christian worldview. Earn your teaching certification in just a few semesters at Regent and advance your career in education right away!
- Gain an understanding of what it means to teach different ages and acquire invaluable classroom management skills.
- Learn how to create and implement lesson plans and develop strategies for effective classroom communication.
- Develop the confidence to excel at working in different educational environments and gain contacts in local school districts.
New Career Options Through the Career Switcher Program
The Career Switcher Program promotes elementary, middle or high school (Pre-K-12) teaching opportunities in the state of Virginia upon the successful completion of all program requirements. Learn to deliver a successful curriculum that meets the educational needs of today’s students.
Be Mentored for 1 Year
Gain one-on-one mentorship for one year through Regent University after completing your Career Switcher courses.
Pursue a Teaching Career Online
Join the only Career Switcher program in Virginia that’s been fully online for the past ten years, allowing you to complete your degree while managing a busy schedule.
Military Stipends Available
If you are Active Duty or a Veteran be sure to ask about Regent’s limited number of special military stipends – you may well be eligible! Regent’s alumni include former and retired service members from all branches of the military who are now teaching throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our program is designed to meet your needs and enables you to start even before you’ve left the military. Regent’s Military Resource Center is dedicated to helping you identify your military benefits and walk you through the steps of enrollment, financial aid and how to reach your academic and career goals.
Align Yourself with Excellence
Regent has been ranked among Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for four years (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023). Its programs have also been recognized among the Top 10 Online Graduate Education Programs in Virginia for 11 years in a row by the U.S. News & World Report, 2023. Regent graduates are empowered to make a difference in lives, which has led to 900+ alumni being recognized as Teachers of the Year in Hampton Roads since 2004.
Join an Accredited Career Switcher Program
The School of Education’s educational leadership and teacher preparation programs and the College of Arts and Science’s bachelor’s in education programs are awarded full national accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for a period of seven years, to 12/31/2030.
The School of Education’s Career Switcher program is awarded recertification by the Virginia Department of Education for a period of seven years, to 2/2/2028.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
Looking to earn your Master’s in Education? With an M.Ed., you can qualify for more teaching roles and advance your career. After completing the Level I or Level II requirements, acquire your M.Ed. with just a few additional courses. Visit the Master’s in Education – M.Ed. Degree for Career Switchers page for more information.
On completing this Career Switcher program, you can:
- Assess and evaluate students under the mentorship of a seasoned instructor.
- Smoothly transition from your former career to teaching.
- Manage a classroom and develop a curriculum.
Career Opportunities
- Elementary School Teacher (Pre-K-3; Pre-K-6)
- Middle School Teacher (6-8)
- High School Teacher or Secondary School Teacher (6-8; 6-12)
EFND 530 – Foundations in Education for Transitioning Professionals (3)
Understand the historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations underlying the role, development and organization of public education in the United States. Attention will be given to the legal status of teachers and students, including federal and state laws e.g. SOLs; child abuse regulations. The concept of school as an organization/culture and contemporary issues in education are included. School / family communications and ways of involving families in student learning are explored. Attention will be given to the legal status of teachers and students, including federal and state laws e.g. SOLs; child abuse regulations. The concept of school as an organization/culture and contemporary issues in education e.g. language acquisition, reading across the curriculum, and teaching children whose first language is not English are included. School / family communications and ways of involving families in student learning are explored.
EFND 531 – Exploring the Curriculum (3)
Understand the presuppositions of worldviews and then examine content for evidence of different worldviews. Integrate character principles into the school environment and curriculum. Examine curriculum content and its relationship to cognitive development as a tool for designing instruction to promote higher-level thinking.
EFND 532 – Classroom Management for Transitioning Teachers (3)
Develop an understanding and application of classroom and behavior management techniques. Effective intervention strategies will be presented and practiced. Diverse approaches to classroom management will be presented based on upon behavioral, cognitive, affective, social and ecological theory and practice. Teacher/student relationships are examined together with classroom community building.
EFND 533 – Teaching Students Effectively (3)
Focus on classification and sequencing learning outcomes, and the differentiation of instruction. Review the principles of learning, the application of skills in discipline-specific methodology, communication processes, reading in the content areas, selection and use of resources, including media and technology. Examine the relationships among assessment, instruction, and measuring and documenting individual student progress.
EFND 534 – Assessment & Evaluation Techniques (3)
Using the principles of educational measurement, construct and interpret valid assessments using a variety of formats in order to measure student attainment of essential skills in a standards-based environment. Develop the ability to analyze assessment data to make decisions about how to improve instruction and evaluate and improve student performance. Emphasis will be placed on the design of “alternative” and traditional assessment instruments.
EFND 535 – Child & Adolescent Growth & Development for Transitioning Teachers (3)
A study of the physical, cognitive, cultural, social/emotional, spiritual, and psychological development of children and adolescents with an emphasis on knowing and understanding theories of human development and incorporating children’s individual differences to guide learning experiences.
EFND 536 – Advanced Practices I for Transitioning Teachers (3)
Topics for the continued transition into teaching of Level II Career Switchers, to include classroom management strategies, diversity in student learning, and data-driven decision making. Course content will be linked to the VDOE requirements for teacher evaluation.
EFND 537 – Advanced Practices II for Transitioning Teachers (3)
Topics for the continued transition into teaching of Level II Career Switchers, including advanced differentiation of teaching and learning, inclusion and special needs in a regular classroom, addressing the needs of the at-risk learner, and tiered instruction. Course content will be linked to the VDOE requirements for teacher evaluation.
EFND 549CS – Mentorship A
For first-year (Level II) students an official mentor of the School of Education is assigned to assist and act as a resource throughout the semester.
EFND 553CS – Mentorship B
For first-year (Level II) students an official mentor of the School of Education is assigned to assist and act as a resource throughout the semester.
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 teaching license and get started in the classroom right away.
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.
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.
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
2024-25 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.
| Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Session A | Friday, August 9 | Monday, August 19 |
| Session M | Friday, September 6 | Monday, September 16 |
| Session B | Friday, October 11 | Monday, October 21 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 8 | Monday, January 13 |
| Session T | Friday, January 31 | Monday, February 10 |
| Session D | Friday, March 7 | Monday, March 17 |
| Session E | Friday, May 2 | Monday, May 12 |
| Session F | Friday, June 13 | Monday, June 23 |
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 Unofficial Transcripts
Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.
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, AACRAO 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 filing out the documents accurately; and incorrect forms can result in a prolonged review period for admissions.
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.
| Certificate | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Total Credits | Tuition Cost for Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate in the Law & Higher Education | $250 | 9 | $2,250 |
| Certificate of Graduate Studies in Autism | $250 | 12 | $3,000 |
| Certificate of Graduate Studies in Career Switcher | $250 | 24 | $6,000 |
| Certificate of Graduate Studies in Christian Education | $250 | 9 | $2,250 |
| Certificate of Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership | $250 | 12 | $3,000 |
| Certificate of Graduate Studies in eLearning Design | $250 | 10 | $2,500 |
| Certificate of Graduate Studies in Gifted & Talented Education for Teachers | $250 | 12-14 | $3,000-$3,500 |
| Certificate of Graduate Studies in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) | $250 | 10 | $2,500 |
| Certificate of Graduate Studies in TESOL – Adult Education-Collegiate | $250 | 15-18 | $3,750-$4,500 |
| Certificate of Graduate Studies in TESOL – K-12 | $250 | 15 | $3,750 |
| Post-Master's Certificate in Advancing Leadership (CAL) | $250 | 9 | $2,250 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
| Library Orientation | $50 (one-time) |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.