Overview
Preparing teacher candidates to enter the teaching profession is the primary responsibility of the Department of Education. Teacher candidates may earn a degree in a variety of content areas and/or endorsements in order to teach in early education, elementary, middle, or secondary classrooms.
The Bachelor of Science in Education degree will qualify a teacher candidate for recommendation of initial licensure to the West Virginia Department of Education. This is a requirement, even if the candidate intends to teach in another state. Through reciprocal licensure agreements, graduates may qualify for licensure in other states. Graduates may receive one-year probationary certification while filing to become a citizen of the United States, or when filing a declaration of intent to become a naturalized citizen. As of January 1, 2002, all applicants for initial licensure must be fingerprinted and undergo a state and federal background check. Individuals convicted of a felony may not be eligible for certification to teach. Convicted felons should determine their eligibility for certification with the West Virginia Department of Education prior to entering the teacher education program.
Candidates graduating with the Bachelor of Science in Education degree must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 128 semester hours including
(1) the Program of General Studies,
(2) the requirements for the content specialization(s), and
(3) the Professional Education component.
Candidates also are required to meet criterion scores on PRAXIS I: Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) and PRAXIS II: Subject Assessments (some specializations require more than one subject assessment) and the Principles of Learning and Teaching Test.
Candidates must also meet West Virginia certification requirements.
Admission
Teacher candidates pursuing a Bachelors Degree in education must be officially admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) prior to taking EDUC 306. Candidates typically apply for formal admission during their sophomore year.
For unconditional acceptance, applicants must:
- Successful completion of 50 hours of General Studies including ENGL 101, ENGL 102, CART 101, and MATH 101 with a grade of “C” or better, 4 hours of Natural Science including a laboratory experience (candidates may choose from BIOL 101, BIOL 102, PHSC 103, or PHSC 104), and 6 hours of Social Sciences (candidates may choose from SOC 101, GEOG 200, or HIST 101).
- Successful completion of EDUC 210-Foundations of Education with a grade of “C” or better, including the 25-hour early field experience in a public school classroom.
- Attain an overall GPA of 2.75 or better in all coursework including transfer credit.
- Successful completion of PRAXIS I Pre-professional Skills Tests and required demonstration of speaking, listening, and computer skills. Candidates scoring a 26 on the Enhanced ACT or 1125 on the SAT or those with a masters degree are exempt from taking PRAXIS I. Passing scores on PRAXIS I established by the West Virginia Board of Education are: Reading-174, Writing-172, and Mathematics-172.
- Completion and submission of the TEP application.
- Submission and acceptance of a Professional Portfolio to TEP faculty that includes a resume, philosophy statements, writing sample, Dispositions Self-Assessment, and documentation of 100 hours of volunteer experience working with children or youth in organized settings.
- Successful completion of an interview with TEP faculty.
Graduation
Graduation criteria include the completion of minimum of all coursework, the required GPAs, successful completion of all state-required tests, and the completion of all elementary coursework to meet program certification requirements. Graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education will not be granted unless a teacher candidate also satisfies all West Virginia teacher licensure requirements as established by the West Virginia Board of Education.
