RTR Teacher Residency Program (RTR)

About RTR Teacher Residency

RTR Teacher Residency (RTR) is a school-based teacher preparation program that integrates research and practice to equip residents with the knowledge, skills, and experience to be effective in high-need and hard-to-staff classrooms. Prospective teachers in the program, known as residents, are paired with exemplary mentor teachers to give the resident experience in their mentor’s classroom while the mentor further advances skills to improve their own teaching practice.

In exchange for RTR paying for the VCU academic degree, residents agree to teach for three years in a high-need school after graduating from the program. Graduates receive support from coaches for the first two years afterwards to ensure that their teaching careers have a successful start. All parties benefit from the program by facilitating a high quality learning experience and free tuition for the resident teacher, professional development and additional pay for the mentor teacher, along with benefits for both the students and district by onboarding dynamic novice teachers that have been thoroughly prepared for their new career.

Learn more about RTR here: RTR Teacher Residency

Programs of Study

RTR offers various pathways, each of which is associated with a VCU School of Education academic program. Through our program, you can become:

An elementary teacher through the Elementary Graduate Certificate Pathway or the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Pathway
A special education teacher through the Special Education Master of Education Pathway or the Bachelor of Science in Special Education Pathway
A secondary English teacher through the Secondary English Master of Teaching Pathway or the Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction Pathway
A secondary math teacher through the Secondary Math Master of Teaching Pathway or the Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction Pathway
A secondary science teacher through the Secondary Science Master of Teaching Pathway or the Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction Pathway
A secondary social studies teacher through the Secondary Social Studies Master of Teaching Pathway or the Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction Pathway

To view the requirements for each pathway, please click here!

Information sessions are regularly conducted and offered virtually!

Applying to RTR

The application for the 2026-27 cohort will open in late summer., Please fill out our application interest form to be notified when the next application cycle opens!

General items needed:

PDF files of all of your transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Three professional references
Statement of Intent
Your area of teaching interest (elementary, secondary, special education)
Information about previous employment and academic experience

Current VCU Students:

Applications are open to third year students that will be entering their senior year
A 3.0 GPA or higher

Undergraduate Transfer Applicants:

An acceptable associate’s degree with a 2.5 GPA or higher
- Eligible Majors: Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts & Science, Associate of Fine Arts, Certificate of General Studies, General Education Certificate, and Associate of Applied Sciences in Early Childhood Development
Transcripts will be reviewed based on area of interest for teaching
- Candidates who need additional coursework will be notified, general requirements for prerequisite coursework can be viewed here

Graduate Applicants

A 3.0 GPA or higher, either cumulatively or in the last 60 hours of coursework
Transcripts will be reviewed based on area of interest for teaching
- Candidates who need additional coursework will be notified, general requirements for prerequisite coursework can be viewed here

Contact Us

Elizabeth Escobar
Executive Administrative Assistant
email: teachrtr@vcu.edu
(804)828-9801