Bachelor's Degree or Higher
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education, there are several ways you can become a teacher in West Virginia.
Option 1: Traditional Programs that Lead to Licensure
West Virginia is home to a variety of colleges and universities that offer education preparation programs leading to a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or providing coursework required for licensure at the graduate level as part of a post-bachelor certification program.
This pathway is perfect for the following:
- Recent high school graduates
- Individuals seeking a master’s degree in teaching
Contact your educator preparation program for details on cost and program completion time.
What Can I Expect?
Download these helpful resources.
Option 2: County-Based Alternative Certification Programs
Many West Virginia school districts provide alternative certification programs which may only be used when an area of critical need and shortage exists and allow individuals to teach while they are completing program requirements.
This pathway is perfect for the following:
- Individuals who want to teach while completing certification
Contact your county for details on cost and program completion time.
Review state-approved county-based alternative certification programs on the Educator Development and Support Services website.
What Can I Expect?
Download these helpful resources.
Option 3: State-Approved Teacher Preparation Coursework
In response to the passage of Senate Bill 14, this new pathway has been created to allow individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and an overall 2.5 GPA (or qualifying exemption of the WV Licensure Testing Directory) to complete coursework pursuant to §§18A-3-2a(a)(1)(C) for receiving a Professional Teaching Certificate.
This pathway is perfect for the following:
- Individuals who have not yet completed required licensure exams (i.e. Praxis)
- Individuals who have non-licensure degrees
- Individuals who have not completed clinical experience
- Individuals who are looking for a career change
- Individuals in long-term substitute positions seeking initial certification
Contact your program provider (American Board, iTeach, MathTrack, Teach for America Appalachia or Teach Now) for details on cost, requirements, and program completion time.
Review descriptions of state-approved teacher preparation coursework of Option 3 programs and each program’s approved endorsements on the Office of Educator Preparation website.
What Can I Expect?
Download these helpful resources.
Option 4: WVDE Alternative Certification Programs
This option was designed to provide an accelerated pathway for individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree and meet minimal qualifications to complete required testing and West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE)-approved training/coursework options that are substantially aligned to the West Virginia Professional Teaching Standards to acquire a Professional Teaching Certificate.
This pathway is perfect for the following:
- Individuals who have already completed the required licensure exams for basic skills and content (i.e. Praxis)
- Individuals who have non-licensure degrees
- Individuals who have not completed clinical experience
- Individuals who are looking for a career change
- Individuals in long-term substitute positions seeking initial certification
Review details on state-approved WVDE Alternative Certification Programs on the Educator Development and Support website. Eligible endorsements for these programs are identified within the West Virginia Licensure Testing Directory and the program’s guidance document.
After reviewing the WVDE Alternative Certification Program’s guidance document, candidates may apply for enrollment in the program.
For information on WVDE-approved coursework option cost and completion time, contact any of the following WVDE Alternative Certification Program coursework providers:
- Bluefield State College Coursework: Dr. Terene Stiltner at tstiltner@bluefieldstate.edu.
- West Liberty University Coursework: Dr. Nicole Ennis at nicole.ennis@westliberty.edu.
- West Virginia University Coursework: Dr. Matthew Campbell at mpcampbell@mail.wvu.edu.
- Wheeling University Coursework: Dr. Dianna Vargo at dvargo@wheeling.edu.
- Glenville State University Coursework: Mrs. Connie Stout O'Dell at connie.stout@glenville.edu.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements (coursework, training and testing), WVDE Alternative Certification Program participants may request a Comprehensive Evaluation Report. Once an approved rating is received on the report, program completers may apply for a Professional Teaching Certificate.
What Can I Expect?
Download these helpful resources.