The present disclosure provides a method for generating progenitor T cells from stem and/or progenitor cells comprising exposing the stem and/or progenitor cells to Notch ligand Delta-like-4 (DL4) and vascular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) under conditions suitable to generate progenitor T cells. The method provided is suitable for in vitro and in vivo pro-T cell generation. In vitro, the pro-T cells are generated under serum-free conditions. Cells produced using the method are provided as well as methods of using same.