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Prerequisite Coursework in West Virginia
Teacher education programs typically consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. Curricula often includes foundational skills and knowledge, designing learning experiences in particular fields of study, and pedagogy. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and internships.
Generally, states require that certified teachers hold, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree. West Virginia does not list specific course or credit hour requirements, but every college or university teacher preparation program will have requirements of its own. Contact your teacher preparation program or the West Virginia Department of Education for more information.
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West Virginia Teacher Certification Programs
Teacher certification programs can be taken online or on-site. They typically include an educational theory and classroom skills seminar, as well as a fieldwork component of student teaching. A list of state-approved college and university teacher preparation programs in West Virginia can be found on the state Department of Education’s website.
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Required Tests for West Virginia
In order to become a certified teacher in West Virginia, you must satisfactorily complete the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators series of exams in reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as the Subject Assessments relevant to your specific licensure areas. The website of ETS, which administers all of the Praxis exams, hosts a breakdown of the required tests by subject areas.
You can learn more about the Praxis exams by visiting Teach.com’s Ultimate Guide to the Praxis Exams and read more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.
Initial Teaching Certifications
The West Virginia Department of Education issues four kinds of teaching certificates:
- Temporary Teaching Certificates (valid for one year and not renewable), for teachers who have completed approved out-of-state teacher education programs, hold foreign credentials, or hold valid out-of-state certificates;
- Initial Professional Teaching Certificates (three years, renewable), for teachers who have completed approved teacher preparation programs, received their program’s recommendations, and passed the necessary tests;
- Professional Five-Year Teaching Certificate (five years, renewable), for teachers who have completed Beginning Educator Internships/Inductions, taken six semester hours of college coursework, taught for two years and received their superintendent’s recommendations;
- Permanent Professional teaching Certificate (valid until surrendered, suspended or revoked), for teachers who have held Professional Five-Year Teaching Certificates, earned their master’s degrees, taught for at least five years and received their superintendent’s recommendations.
