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Aspiring teachers have a new pathway to the classroom with the launch of Christopher Newport’s Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (BAEd) program. Building on the University’s strong tradition of teacher preparation, this new degree program complements the existing foundation currently offered through the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program. The new degree program, unanimously approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), VDOE, and the Virginia Board of Education, will offer students a more direct route to pursue their passion for teaching. "Adding an undergraduate pathway to an elementary education and teaching license will allow CNU's Teacher Preparation Program to prepare future elementary teachers in four years,” said Dr. Jean Filetti, Director of Teacher Preparation. “This program will be attractive to students currently enrolled in or considering enrolling in CNU who do not want to stay a fifth year to complete a graduate program in teaching." Filetti added that there is a critical shortage of elementary teachers in the Commonwealth.
Similar to the MAT program, the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education will feature partnerships with local schools, classroom immersion, and technology integration, ensuring that students graduate not only with theoretical knowledge but with practical skills and experience. The curriculum will meet and exceed all rigorous standards of VDOE, and prepare students for impactful careers in teaching and education leadership.
The program will also help address growing teacher shortages locally and nationwide. Christopher Newport’s partner school district, Newport News Public Schools (NNPS), wholeheartedly endorsed the University’s proposal to the state to license future teachers.
“NNPS enthusiastically supports CNU's proposal for the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, which will increase the number of much needed elementary teachers who will demonstrate excellence in teaching,” said Dr. Michele Mitchell, NNPS Superintendent. “Additionally, the BAEd will ensure that hard-to-staff school divisions like NNPS have a pipeline of trained teachers who will bring knowledge, skill,and expertise to the classrooms. We look forward to providing opportunities to CNU BAEd pre-service teachers and continuing our role in their professional development.” Students can apply now to the program, which officially launches in the Fall of ‘25.