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How do I become an educator in West Virginia?
Approved Personnel Preparation Programs
Click on the drop down box to the left to view programs by each area of certification. Use the map to scroll over and view all in-state universities with approved programs. Click on the institutions that you would like to visit to view their website and available programs.
Helping veterans become teachers
Veterans interested in becoming teachers have a valuable resource in the Troops to Teachers program. The Troops to Teachers program provides qualifying current and former military personnel of the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, and Marines of Active, National Guard, or Reserve component status with the following benefits:
- Counseling on routes to certification as an educator
- Job placement assistance
- Up to a $5,000 stipend to cover certification costs
OR Up to a $10,000 bonus
Key Opportunities:
- Retired veterans or veterans reaching eligibility for retirement who may be looking for new careers in public service.
- Veterans that possess a bachelor’s degree from another profession who are interested in transitioning into a career in education.
- Veterans who possess documented work experience in a skill or trade that is taught within West Virginia Career and Technical Schools.
- Veterans working on a bachelor’s degree to attain a teaching certification.
- Veterans that possess a bachelor’s degree and desire to become substitute teachers.
Find out more about the Troops to Teachers program.
Ready for a change
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The Transition to Teaching project is a federally funded program that assists professionals possessing a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in transitioning into the teaching profession. Individuals possessing a degree
related to the core content areas of math, science, English or a foreign language may apply for teaching positions as a full-time educator on an alternative teaching certificate. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree outside of these content areas may pursue a route to certification as a special education teacher.
Participants teaching in these critical shortage subject areas will complete an individualized, online certification program that will be paid for using funds from the program grant. Transition to Teaching requires a three-year commitment to serve.
Incentives include:
- Employment while completing online coursework
- Continuous support from academic coaches and mentors
- Financial incentives and the use of a laptop computer
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Learn more about the Transition to Teaching program
More ways to become a teacher
Certification programs exist for career switchers and current employees of school districts that have attained a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 GPA from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Alternative routes lead to teacher certification within critical need subject areas in an accelerated amount of time. Candidates apply for teaching positions within West Virginia school districts. If the candidate is hired, they must agree to complete higher education coursework requirements through an approved alternative route to certification program. Alternative route programs are only available in secondary education (middle school and high school).
Candidates must verify proficiency with praxis tests unless they are exempt (see policy 5202). They must then work towards completion of educational coursework as specified within the program’s guidelines. Candidates planning to enter an alternative route to certification in core subject areas must have a degree that reflects knowledge of the subject areas that they intend to teach unless they pursue a special education alternative route. Alternative routes for special education do not require a related bachelor’s degree.
Click on the links below for more information about:
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Teach a skill or trade
Students have the option of receiving career training in important technical skills at schools throughout the state. Career and technical education  teaching positions may have a salary that exceeds the salary of fully certified general education teachers. While the requirements for teaching each curriculum may vary, it is possible to begin teaching many of these career and technical education areas if you possess a minimum of a High School diploma/GED and a minimum of four years of documented wage earning work experience, a related Associate’s Degree and two years of documented wage earning work experience, or a Bachelor’s Degree and two years documented wage earning work experience in the area of expertise that you wish to teach.
Some career and technical education positions may require the attainment of an industry recognized credential/s. Career and technical educators in West Virginia are required to pass basic skills and occupational competency exams. If you become employed in a career and technical education position you will also be required to take courses that will give you the skills to effectively educate the students primarily through the structured academic program offered by West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVUIT.) The program consists of seven courses (twenty-two credit hours) taken within a maximum period of five years.
- Click here to view career and technical education concentrations areas available in West Virginia.
- Click here to view all of the schools offering career and technical education classes throughout the state.
One may explore the West Virginia Career and Technical Education website at http://careertech.k12.wv.us/. See the certification tab on TeachWV.com for information on how to apply for a Career and Technical certification.
Teach while working on a teaching certification
For individuals currently pursuing a certification who hold a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.5 GPA at a regionally accredited institution of higher education, a first class full-time permit may serve as a quicker way to acquire a full-time teaching position. This opportunity is available to candidates that complete 25% or six semester hours (whichever is greater) of credit verified by an institution of higher education that offers an approved program in the specialization he/she desires to teach.
The candidate must have a professional commitment verifying enrollment into a teacher preparation program and the recommendation of the county superintendent verifying that the applicant is the most qualified person and has been hired for the position. Finally, the candidate must complete all professional teaching certificate requirements within five years.
For more information about teaching with a first class full-time permit, contact the county school district office of which you wish to teach. See the certification tab for information on how to apply for a full-time teaching permit. |
Become a part-time teacher
One good way for career switchers to begin a path towards teaching is by giving the job a trial run as a substitute teacher. Substitute teaching requires the following:
The candidate must have 
- attained a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.0 GPA from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
- completed three days (18 clock hours) of educational training from the school district.
- a record of good moral character and receive recommendation from the superintendent of the county that he/she is employed within.
Substitute teaching is a part-time commitment and allows individuals to try teaching in a variety of subjects to see which suits them best. It also allows administrators to see your skills in action which may be beneficial if you plan on becoming certified. If a substitute teacher instructs for over 133 days within one school year, they will receive a full year of employment credit. There are both short-term and long-term substitute teaching positions available in many districts throughout the school year.
For more information about substitute teaching, contact your local school district. See the certification tab for information on how to apply for a substitute teaching permit. |
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