Feature Story
Southern Virginia University Expands Teacher Licensure Program with New PreK-12 Theatre Track
Southern Virginia University’s teacher licensure program has announced the addition of a new PreK-12 Theatre endorsement track beginning Fall 2026. In this track, students can earn a nationally recognized Virginia teaching license to instruct all aspects of theatre—including acting, stagecraft, choreography, and makeup—across elementary, middle, and high school levels.
“I am thrilled for this addition because it provides a wonderful boost for the performing arts,” said Kim Kearney, the director of the teacher licensure program. “Offering the theatre licensure program opens new doors for our students while also supporting our local schools. It gives our theater graduates even more launch readiness and fulfills the mission of the university.”
Offered through the Rockbridge Teacher Education Consortium (RTEC) in partnership with Washington and Lee University, the creation of the theatre track stemmed from growing student interest and a collaborative effort between SVU’s education and theatre departments to align university coursework with Virginia Department of Education (DOE) standards.
“When Professor Dwyer got involved, he jumped in headfirst,” said Assistant Professor of Education Jordan Clark. “The theatre faculty spent months going through every course with a fine-tooth comb to ensure our classes met every state standard. Because of that work, theatre majors can now earn their license seamlessly as part of their standard major requirements without taking an extra load of courses.”
“We went through all the theatre courses and realized that we could adjust them to fit the state requirements instead of creating new classes,” said Associate Professor of Theatre David Dwyer. “There’s the conception that you can’t make a living working in theatre, but the truth is that you can, and this program gives our students more opportunities to do what they love.”
Cameron Morrison (‘27) will become the program’s inaugural graduate in May, completing his student teaching this coming spring.
“I knew I wanted to teach theatre, but there wasn’t a clear path to that when I first came to SVU,” said Morrison. “But now there is, and I’m really excited to be a part of this program’s first year. I’ve been dreaming and wanting this for a very long time, and I’m just excited to get started and see what the world has to offer.”
This new track has national reciprocity, allowing graduates to easily transfer their Virginia license to teach in other states. Additionally, the theatre licensure program is currently the only RTEC track offered at SVU that does not require an additional state licensing exam, saving students significant testing fees.
Before reaching their final semester, students in the theatre licensure program complete four field practicums totaling a minimum of 114 hours in local school divisions and community settings. They then enter a full-time, semester-long student teaching placement, where they log between 300 and 500 contact hours directly leading a classroom.
“RTEC is truly a jewel of Southern Virginia University because it serves as a direct launch pad for our students,” said Clark. “Our graduates emerge fully licensed, deeply experienced, and ready to step into their own classrooms on day one.”
The theatre licensure program is the latest addition to the teacher licensure program, joining Elementary Education PreK-6, Spanish Education PreK-12, Music Vocal Education PreK-12, Music Instrumental Education PreK-12, and Middle & Secondary Education 6-12 in English, Biology, Mathematics, Algebra 1 add-on, and History & Social Sciences.