West Virginia University College of Education Programs: Shaping Future Educators

West Virginia University (WVU) offers a range of comprehensive and innovative college of education programs designed to prepare aspiring educators for successful careers in elementary and special education. These programs prioritize hands-on experience, expert faculty, and national accreditation to ensure graduates are well-equipped to shape the future by educating today's youth.

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at WVU Morgantown

The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program at WVU's Morgantown campus is designed to prepare students to become certified elementary teachers for grades K-6. This program emphasizes a blend of educational theory and practical experience, ensuring graduates are ready to lead their classrooms with confidence.

Comprehensive Curriculum

The coursework in the BA in Elementary Education program prepares students through academic preparation and hands-on experiences in elementary classrooms. Students develop their content knowledge in mathematics, science, technology, history, humanities, composition, and the arts. Specific classes prepare students to teach mathematics, science, and social studies to young students. Beginning in the junior year, students focus on developing the knowledge and skills for teaching through professional courses. These courses include teaching methods for mathematics, science, literacy, and social studies. Students learn how to support diverse learners through social-emotional development, place-based education, and differentiated instruction. Throughout the program, students apply what they learn during field and clinical placements in local elementary schools.

Hands-On Experience

From day one, students learn how to apply what they study directly in local schools and work alongside experienced teachers. The program provides more than 900 hours of real classroom experience. In their final year, students participate in a yearlong residency in a local classroom, providing them confidence and preparation to step into their own classroom. Starting in their junior year, students spend time in local elementary schools every semester. During their senior year, they take part in a yearlong residency at one school. This gives them the opportunity to be immersed in the school and community culture, establish strong relationships, and be considered a vital member of the school’s educational team.

Customization and Further Education

Many students add a minor or begin a graduate degree (online options available) to deepen their expertise or expand their career options.

National Standards and Accreditation

The program is committed to the highest standards set by the state and national levels. WVU meets all CAEP standards for national accreditation at the initial teacher preparation and advanced preparation levels. Faculty members help shape and uphold national accreditation standards and lead in areas like asset-based and culturally responsive teaching. Their work in research, teaching, and service ensures students learn from people who are moving the field forward.

Unique Program Features

Teacher-in-Residency: Students spend their entire last year in the same classroom, working with the same students and alongside an experienced mentor teacher.
Expert Faculty: Students learn from faculty with specialized knowledge of teaching and learning in their content areas.
Extensive Work in Schools: Students complete over 1,000 hours of work in schools to practice their teaching.
Small Class Sizes: Each class is designed to maximize interaction with instructors and create closer connections with classmates.

Coursework Examples

Place-Based and Emotional Responsive Teaching (EDUC 304): This course helps K-6 preservice teachers understand the potential of seeing education as situated in the context of community, family, and collegial partnerships.
Math for Elementary Teachers (1) (EDUC 330): This course focuses on topics of mathematics in the elementary grades and how these concepts connect to mathematics on the horizon (grades 6-8 and beyond).
Differentiation of Instruction (SPED 460): This course prepares prospective general and special education teachers to differentiate instruction to effectively meet the academic and social needs of the full range of students in inclusive settings.
Residency/Technology Capstone in Elementary Education (EDUC 484): This course is the capstone experience for the Elementary Education program. It includes components that meet state-required certification requirements, including the submission for Performance Assessment exams required for certification.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the program, students must meet the following requirements:

Overall College GPA: 2.5

Elementary Education Programs at WVU Parkersburg

WVU Parkersburg's Education Division offers a variety of elementary education programs designed to prepare students for teaching careers in West Virginia and beyond. The programs emphasize practical experience and are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Program Options

Elementary Education, A.A.S.
Elementary Education K-6
Elementary Education K-6 with Emphasis in Special Education Multi-Categorical K-12
Elementary Education with Math Emphasis Grade 5 - Algebra I

The Education program is designed so students may receive a teaching certification to teach all subjects in grades PreK-6. WVU Parkersburg also offers add-on endorsements that allow students to teach grades 5-9 in specific content areas. Specializations include:

English
General Math - Algebra I
PreK - K
Science
Social Studies

Accreditation

The Education Division at WVU Parkersburg was awarded national accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) in 2020 for the Elementary Education Program K-6 and the Specializations in English, General Math- Algebra I, PreK-K, Science, and Social Studies. The Emphasis in Special Education was added after the visit.

Read also: Explore CFK

Admission Requirements for WVU Parkersburg

Students must apply for admission to the program by March 1 for Fall admission and October 1 for Spring admission. The following requirements must be met:

Complete at least 45 hours of credit in approved courses.
Maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) computed on all coursework, all work attempted in the teaching field, and in professional education, with no grade below a C in any required course.
Complete the courses required for admission to the program with no grade below a C. These include: COMM 111, EDUC 100, EDUC 200, EDUC 201, ENGL 101, ENGL 102, MATH 121 or higher, and PSYC 241. EDUC 300 is to be taken the semester in which the student applies for admission to the program.
Pass, at an acceptable level, all portions of the Core Academic Skills for Educators (CASE).
Students who complete the equivalent of EDUC 100, EDUC 200, and/or EDUC 300 at another institution must document the satisfactory completion of required field experiences and complete service learning requirements. Twenty field experience hours are required per class.
Students must complete a minimum of 50 hours of Service Learning. This includes transfer students.
Students must submit a formal letter of application for admission written in cursive.
Students must complete and pass, at the novice level, the Dispositional Assessment.
Students must present evidence of a recent, clear background check through Wood County schools.
Applicants must review, initial, and sign an Acknowledgement of Confidentiality Policy form.

Special Education Multi-Categorical K-12 Endorsement

The Education program offers a certificate program for currently certified teachers wishing to add a Special Education Multi-Categorical K-12 endorsement to an existing license.

Core Academic Skills for Educators (CASE)

All students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education Degree must pass all sections of the CASE before being officially admitted to the program. The test is in three sections: reading, writing, and mathematics. Satisfactory completion of the test is mandated by the West Virginia Department of Education, and portions of the test not passed upon the first attempt may be repeated.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of WVU Parkersburg's education programs are prepared for various careers in education, including:

Elementary School Teacher
Middle School Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Title One Reading Teacher
Title One Math Teacher
Tutor
Academic Coach

Practical Model

WVU Parkersburg's teacher preparation program emphasizes the practical model, focusing on the theoretical, development, and technological aspects of the knowledge base that are prerequisites to the daily demands required to be a professional educator in a school environment.

Architects of the Future

The program’s philosophical framework, Architects of the Future, prepares an educator who applies his/her skills and knowledge to shape and construct the future by educating tomorrow’s leaders…today’s children and youth.

Elementary Education Program at Potomac State College

Potomac State College offers an Elementary Education program of study that allows students to complete the initial phases of degree work required to become a certified teacher.

Curriculum Focus

The program focuses on preparing future teachers to be responsible for lesson planning, instruction, and assessment in their future classrooms. It also emphasizes the importance of culturally relevant teaching, learner-centered classrooms, and integrated curriculum, as well as solid communication, management, and organizational classroom skills.

Transfer Opportunities

Graduates of the Elementary Education program of Potomac State College may earn an Associate of Arts degree and should expect to continue coursework in elementary education at an accredited baccalaureate granting institution to become certified teachers. The program is designed to transfer into the bachelor’s degree on the Morgantown campus; however, students may elect to transfer to a variety of institutions.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

WVU offers various financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help students fund their education.

Scholarships

WVU provides merit scholarships to eligible students. Students can estimate their eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Net Price Calculator

The Net Price Calculator helps students estimate their cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Ways to Save

In addition to university scholarships, there are several ways to save on the cost of attending WVU, including:

Financial Aid: Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the most important step toward funding your future with financial aid.
Ohio Tuition Reciprocity: Students from Ohio who are fully admitted can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates.
Start at Another WVU Campus: Students can start their career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

The Promise Scholarship

The West Virginia Promise Scholarship covers full tuition for in-state colleges and universities for those who received the scholarship before January 1, 2010.

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