Education

Degree Type
Department Interdisciplinary
Academic Division The College
Offerings Minor
W&L offers minors in education and education policy. Students can pursue a professional teaching license to teach in K-12 schools in one of 21 different endorsement areas through our nationally accredited teacher education program; or they can pursue an interdisciplinary minor in education policy that prepares them for work in a variety of social and political arenas.

Education Minor/Teacher Licensure

All states require professional education courses for licensure to teach in public schools. Through the Rockbridge Teacher Education Consortium (RTEC), a collaborative teacher-preparation partnership between W&L and Southern Virginia University, students may earn a teaching license in elementary, middle or secondary education. In addition, many private schools favor applicants who have been licensed through a state-approved program. Our graduates go on to careers as teachers, administrators, community organizers, counselors, clergy, professors and more.

Education Policy Minor

W&L offers a unique opportunity for undergraduates to pursue an interdisciplinary minor in education policy. Students chose from an array of courses in education, politics, economics and poverty studies and complete fieldwork and service opportunities in local schools. Students minoring in education policy have gone on to careers as teachers, researchers, policy analysts, lobbyists, economists, politicians and lawyers.

Special Programs and Study Abroad

Teaching Opportunities: Our programs offer opportunities to teach abroad in numerous countries, including Ireland and Denmark, in local schools, and in partnerships with numerous teaching residency programs.

Sarah G. Ball Education Award: This award is granted to a senior at Washington and Lee University who has completed coursework in the field of education and teaches in a low SES school. The $4,000 award is renewable for a second year of teaching.

Burish Service-Leadership Internships: These selective programs make interns responsible for determining the volunteer needs of an assigned school in the Rockbridge County School System, recruiting and training tutors to fill those needs, ensuring that tutors are responsible for their assigned shifts, and filling in where needed.

“As I begin working in the world of education and nonprofits, I am sure that my time studying teacher education at W&L strengthened my mind and heart to invest in students, strive toward organizational excellence, and, most importantly, bring people — young and old — together over meaningful curiosities.”

Ralston HartnessClass of 2018

Endorsement Areas

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (PREK-6) &
MIDDLE EDUCATION (6-8)
English
Science
Mathematics
History and Social Sciences

SECONDARY EDUCATION
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Earth Science
Physics
Mathematics
English
Journalism
History and Social Science

PREK-12
French, German, Spanish, Latin, Chinese
Vocal and Instrumental Music
Theater Arts
Visual Arts

Haley Sigler

Department Head

Peggy Herring

Administrative Assistant

Meet the Faculty

At W&L, students enjoy small classes and close relationships with professors who educate and nurture.