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Dennis L. Keffer, Director
Bowman Building, (540) 535-3544
Extended and Distance Education provides leadership, vision and operational management for primarily online, but also hybrid and face-to-face educational programs that allow Shenandoah University to serve new populations and current populations in new ways. Programming includes: workshops, professional development, conferences, courses, badges, certificates, alternative professional licenses, and degree completion. XDE also provides programming support for innovative distance and hybrid programs offered through the professional schools at Shenandoah University.
Alternative Teacher Credentialing
Career Switcher Program
If you currently hold a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university and have at least three years of full time work experience or its equivalent, the Career Switcher program may be for you! The Career Switcher Program was created by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to provide an alternative pathway into teaching for individuals who have not completed a teacher preparation curriculum but who have considerable life experiences, career achievements, and academic backgrounds that are relevant for teaching. The Career Switcher Program does not provide preparation for teaching in the elementary grades special education, or as an add-on to an existing license.
Online Professional Development Courses
VESi
VESi courses provide distance learning graduate courses in a SELF-PACED format via an online download (computer-based instruction for teachers). VESi courses are designed to be run online from a reliable high-speed internet connection. VESi courses are now tablet compatible, making it easy for you to recertify anytime, anywhere with reliable, stable online access.
These are SELF-PACED courses. You have 6 months to complete the coursework and submit all completed materials to Shenandoah. In addition to the coursework a case study paper (or final project) is required with each course.
Specialize Professional Development
XDE is able to offer individualized courses for organizations and school districts to meet specific needs they may have for professional development. Organizations may contract with XDE to arrange sponsored sections or offerings where participants may self-pay.
Dual-Enrollment Courses for High Schools
Teachers For Tomorrow I & II — EDU 201 & 202
Three Hours of Undergraduate Credit per course.
Teachers for Tomorrow Dual-enrollment courses are for high school students interested in the teaching profession. Some schools participating in TfT use course participation as a “Grow Your Own” program to attract teacher candidates to the field of education through exposure to a world-class curriculum and hands-on experiences that focus on teaching, and then promise graduates employment once they have completed a teacher licensure program.
In keeping with the challenge to increase the pool of highly qualified teachers, the purposes of the Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow Program are:
- to identify, train and nurture high school students interested in a teaching career;
- to support the efforts of Virginia’s school divisions to meet hiring targets by cultivating an effective “grow your own” recruitment program;
- to create a high school curricular experience designed to foster student interest, understanding and appreciation of the teaching profession; and
- to attract students to teaching in critical shortage and high needs areas of the state.
General Education Courses
General Education courses are also available for dual-enrollment upon request from a school division.
For information on either individualized courses or greater details of the Teachers for Tomorrow program, please contact the Programs Coordinator in Extended & Distance Education.
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