Applying to the Undergraduate Education Programs
Majors and Second Majors
Students must apply directly to the School of Education if they wish to major in education. This application process typically begins during the second semester of a student's sophomore year, or anytime after a student has earned 39 credit hours.
What Classes Can I Take Before Declaring?
Students are strongly encouraged to take education courses prior to major declaration. Undeclared students can take EDUC 200, EDUC 301, EDUC 310, which can fulfill COLL 200 requirements, and ELEM 312. Students should also take classes that count towards endorsement (see section on Endorsement Courses).
Check the program of study for the major you are interested in to see which education courses are recommended for Freshman/Sophomore year. Students must declare the education major to register for any courses listed under "Junior Year" or "Senior Year" in the program of study.
Application Timeline
Fall entry: The application is open from January 1st to August 15th of the entry year. For example, students wishing to begin the major in Fall 2026 have the opportunity to apply between January 2, 2026 and August 15, 2026.
Spring entry: The application is open from March 1st of the prior year to January 15 of the year of entry. For example, students wishing to begin the major in Spring 2027 have the opportunity to apply between March 1, 2026 and January 15, 2027.
Decision Notification: Decision letters typically are released 3 weeks after the School of Education receives a completed application.
Endorsement Courses
Licensure standards require education students to complete specific coursework to demonstrate competency in their subject areas. These requirements are outlined in each program's catalog program of study. For example, Elementary Education students must complete 6 credits each in English, mathematics, social studies, and science. Secondary Education–Mathematics students must complete 36 credits in mathematics-related coursework, including areas such as algebra, discrete mathematics, and computer science.
Elementary Education Secondary – English Secondary – Math Secondary – Science Secondary – Social Studies
Transfer Students
Transfer students should apply to the School of Education after being admitted to William & Mary. The evaluation of any transfer credit will take place only after a student has accepted an offer of admission from the University.
Students transferring from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland or other institutions should consult the transfer credit guidelines available on the University Admissions website to determine how their coursework will transfer to William & Mary.
Holistic Admissions Evaluation
Our admissions process is holistic as well as competitive: we seek a diverse array of students who are committed to academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and personal achievement.
Students must have a 2.0 GPA to apply to the undergraduate program; however, meeting this minimum benchmark does not guarantee admission. Applicants must supply:
- Online application
- W&M unofficial transcript; Transfers should also supply an unofficial transcript from their previous school.
- Personal Essays
Successful applicants exhibit:
- Academic achievement to date as exhibited by grades, course load, and recovery from academic setbacks.
- Personal attributes and life experiences that illustrate resilience in the face of challenges, ethical character, openness to diverse perspectives, and collaborative ability.
- Strong communication skills as demonstrated by one's application essays.
Explore Our Undergraduate Education Programs