Online Education Degrees: West Virginia

The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) is the primary state agency responsible for preK-12 education in The Mountain State. The development of academic standards, administration of statewide assessments, and the management of resources are among its functions. The West Virginia Board of Education oversees the WVDE and sets the policies adopted throughout the preK-12 education system.

Besides the WVDE and the Board of Education, other concerned organizations foster West Virginia’s preK-12 education system. The West Virginia Center for Professional Development (WVCPD) provides educators with professional development opportunities. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission coordinates with these organizations in programs that impact preK-12 education, such as college readiness.

The public preK-12 education system in West Virginia consists of 55 school districts with 683 schools. More than 264,000 students are enrolled in these schools. Over 283,000 teachers are employed across the state. The teacher-to-student ratio of 1:14 is lower than the 1:16 national average.

West Virginia’s public spending on preK-12 education is $15,360 per pupil, on average. K-12 schools across the nation spend $17,280 per student, on average. Indeed, West Virginia makes it clear that student success is among its top priorities. This is evident in high graduation rates through the years, too, with the 2018-2019 school year being among the highest at 91%.

But, West Virginia isn’t spared from the persistent issues in preK-12 education that other states also experience. Teacher shortages are a major concern, especially in rural areas and in STEM and special education areas.

Despite the high per-student spending, West Virginia lags in math and reading proficiency, among other national academic assessments. This is aggravated by the high incidence of poverty in schools, funding disparities between school districts, and declining enrollment.

But all isn’t lost with the education reforms that West Virginia adopts to this day. There’s the Third Grade Success Act that addresses early literacy and numeracy development among young children. The state is among the top states in preK education.

There have been increases in teacher salaries, too, which attract and retain more teachers. Families have more school choices, too, thanks to initiatives like the Hope Scholarship Program.

Indeed, it’s the best time to become a licensed teacher in West Virginia. You will find teaching opportunities in rural and urban areas. The teachers’ salaries are also on the up and up.

Read on and find information that will set you in the right direction toward becoming a successful licensed teacher in West Virginia.

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Requirements for Teaching Licensure in West Virginia

Under state law, you cannot teach in West Virginia without a state-issued teacher license. Fortunately, there are several pathways toward securing a teacher license in the state.

The traditional pathway involves the completion of a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a post-bachelor certification program leading to initial licensure.
The county-based alternative certification pathway is suitable for aspiring teachers who want to teach while earning licensure-related credentials. Only school districts can offer these programs to meet teacher shortages, particularly in critical need areas.
The state-approved teacher preparation coursework pathway requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 GPA and completion of specific courses. Individuals receive a Professional Teaching Certificate upon compliance with requirements. If you have a non-licensure degree, or haven’t completed the student teaching experience or the licensure exams, or in a long-term substitute teacher job, this is your best choice.
The WVDE alternative certification pathway is for individuals with a bachelor’s degree, among other licensure requirements, who meet WVDE-approved coursework requirements.

The traditional pathway is the most straightforward, especially for fresh high school graduates. If you already possess a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field, it’s also an excellent choice.

Here, we’ll briefly discuss the basic process and requirements for earning an initial teacher license through the traditional pathway.

Meet the education requirements.

A bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 GPA is the minimum education requirement for an initial teacher license. The bachelor’s degree can be in any field. The minimum GPA requirement is 3.0 for a master’s degree.

Besides a bachelor’s or master’s degree, aspiring teachers must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. Students can select from several subject areas, such as math, social science, and English language arts.

Complete the student teaching experience requirement.

Aspiring teachers must complete at least 12 weeks or about 360 hours of student teaching experience. This must be completed in classroom settings and under the supervision of licensed teachers.

Achieve passing scores on the required certification tests.

WVDE requires passing scores on these two certification exams:

The Core Academic Skills for Educators exams, or the Praxis Core exams, evaluate the teaching competencies of aspiring teachers in writing, reading, and mathematics.
The Principles of Learning and Teaching evaluates the applicant’s pedagogical knowledge in specific grade levels, such as early childhood and grades K-7.

Other exams may be required depending on the type of license.

Apply for a teaching certification by filling out Form 20T and attaching the required documents.

The general requirements include:

Be a US citizen or have other documents to prove eligibility.
Pass a criminal background check, including fingerprinting.
Meet the education requirements mentioned above.
Secure an official recommendation from the university where you earned your academic credentials.

There’s a $35 application fee. The application processing time can take up to 90 days.

West Virginia issues several types of teacher licenses, including:

The three-year Initial Teaching License is for new teachers. It can only be renewed once with the renewal criteria, including completion of a one-year internship program and two years of classroom experience.
The Professional Teaching License is for licensed teachers who have at least three years of teaching experience, among others. This is a five-year, renewable license.
The Permanent Professional Teaching License is for veteran teachers who have renewed their Professional Teaching License twice. It doesn’t require renewal since it’s valid for life.

Other types are alternative, provisional, and substitute teaching licenses.

Online Education Program Admission Requirements

If you’re a fresh high school graduate, you must be aware of these typical admission requirements of online bachelor’s degree programs.

Completed online application form
Proof of payment of application fee
High school diploma or GED equivalent
Official transcripts

Online graduate and post-graduate programs usually require these credentials:

Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree
Official transcripts with minimum GPA requirement
Professional resume
Letters of recommendation
Statement of purpose/personal statement
Standardized test scores (e.g., GRE/GMAT)

Graduate programs can require a valid teaching certificate and teaching experience.

Average Annual Salaries For Common Educator Roles in West Virginia

Elementary School Teachers $59,064
Middle School Teachers $59,790
High School Teachers $59,800
Special Education Teachers $57,035
Superintendents $161,548
School Administrators $107,997
Principals $107,215
Assistant Principals $87,861
Curriculum Development Specialists $110,577
Instructional Coordinators $68,087

Scholarships for Future Educators in West Virginia

The Underwood Smith Teaching Scholars program awards up to $10,000 per year for up to four years. This is a merit-based program with a five-year post-graduation service obligation.
The WV Promise Scholarship program awards up to $5,500 to cover tuition and fees. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission is the agency that administers the merit-based program.
The Hagan Scholarship program is a need-based merit award with up to $6,000 per semester in financial support. This is a renewable scholarship for up to eight consecutive semesters.

The 5 Best Online Education Degree Providers in West Virginia

We selected these five universities based on these factors.

Obtained regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Offers two or more state-approved teacher preparation programs
Emphasize academic rigor and excellence
Provide good student support services

Marshall University

As a public research university, Marshall University guarantees affordable and quality education for aspiring and current educators. Indeed, the College of Education and Professional Development takes pride in its National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accreditation. Here, working professionals will find several graduate degree programs in education that emphasize academic rigor and excellence.

MS in Adult and Continuing Education

The comprehensive program of study enables candidates to up their game as teachers and instructors in the field of education, among others. Candidates complete 30 credits and earn the graduate degree in 1.5 years, on average. The three concentrations to choose from are Adult Education and Evaluation, Career and Technical Center Teaching, and Training and Development.

MA in Special Education

This is a 36-credit program that can be completed in 2 years, on average. Candidates gain intensive experiences that build advanced competencies in special education.

MA in Education

Candidates in the MAEd program complete 30-33 credits depending on their endorsements or specializations. This is a program intended for licensed teachers seeking additional endorsements and career advancement. Endorsements include Early Childhood Education (PreK-K), Elementary Math Specialist (K-6), Math through Algebra I (5-9), and Teaching English as a Second Language (K-Adult). Candidates can also design their own program of study based on their interests and goals.

EdD in Curriculum and Instruction

This is a 57-credit program with a flexible time to completion between three and six years. Candidates complete didactic coursework, a professional portfolio, and a dissertation. The program attracts working professionals interested in teacher education, K-12 education, and higher education.

EdS in Curriculum and Instruction

The 30-credit program has a two-year time-to-degree, on average. Candidates possess a master’s degree and want to gain advanced competencies in curriculum and instruction. Most are experienced, classroom teachers and educational leaders.

EdD in Leadership Studies

Candidates in the 45-credit program can complete the program in three years, on average. The extensive coursework includes major, research, and dissertation research courses.

MA in Literacy Education

The 30-credit program features extensive field experiences and online courses. Candidates who complete its academic requirements gain both a master’s degree and a Reading Specialist Certification (Pre-K to Adult).

MA in School Counseling

This CACREP-accredited program prepares candidates for success in earning the Licensed Professional Counselor credential.

In-state Tuition: $8,604
Online Education Degrees: 8
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Concord University

Established as a normal school, Concord University has a 152-year track record in excellent teacher preparation programs. The online education degree programs are a testament to its commitment to quality education at an affordable price and maximum flexibility.

BA in Early Childhood Regents

The ECRB program is intended for early childhood paraprofessionals and other professionals in the early childhood field. Indeed, the program of study builds on your relevant work experiences in early childhood education. Applicants must be at least four years removed from their high school graduation date.

BS in Elementary Education

Candidates in the 120-credit program will receive an official recommendation for licensure upon completion of its academic requirements. These include completion of the three-part curriculum and passing scores in the required Praxis exams and WV Teacher Performance Assessment, among others.

MA in Teaching is a 36-credit program allows candidates to choose from these concentrations:
- Art PreK-Adult
- Biological Sciences 9-Adult
- Business Education Comprehensive 5-Adult
- Chemistry 9-Adult
- English 5-Adult
- General Science 5-Adult
- Math 5-Adult
- Music PreK-Adult
- Social Studies 5-Adult
- Wellness PreK-Adult

Candidates must complete a 16-week residency and three 45-hour clinical experiences.

Master of Education features these concentrations:
- M.Ed. Educational Leadership & Supervision Certificate Program (Pre K – Adult)
- M.Ed. Reading Specialist

This is a fully online program intended for licensed teachers. The 36-credit program features an intensive curriculum that includes content specialization and professional education courses.

In-state Tuition: $9,700
Online Education Degrees: 5
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West Virginia University

WVU, a public research university, commits to academic excellence, innovation, and research. These values manifest in its excellent online teacher preparation programs.

MA in Special Education

The 30-credit program consists of 10 courses delivered through online asynchronous classes. Candidates prepare for success in working with children and adolescents with mild to moderate disabilities. Both licensed special education teachers and paraprofessionals with a bachelor’s degree are welcome to apply. Official transcripts and a personal statement are required for application purposes.

MA in Literacy Education With Reading Specialist Certification

This is a 30-credit program with a 10-course curriculum. The fully online classes are conducted via asynchronous and synchronous formats. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA and a valid teacher’s license. Candidates tackle rigorous coursework aligned with the International Literacy Association standards. Passing the Praxis Series test allows graduates to earn the Reading Specialist certification.

MS in Physical Education Teacher Education

Candidates complete ten courses in the 30-credit program that features online asynchronous classes. This is a part-time program that allows licensed teachers to continue their current employment while earning a master’s degree. The curriculum aligns with the Society for Health and Physical Educators’ teaching standards.

In-state Tuition: $9,360
Online Education Degrees: 3
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Salem University

The Seventh Day Baptist Church established the small private, for-profit university but it has more secular leanings now. Empowerment is at the heart of its academic programs, meaning students can achieve their full potential. Note, too, that its online education programs have CAEP programmatic accreditation.

BS in Education- English Education

This is a hybrid program with online and in-person components. Candidates who complete the program receive an official recommendation for a teacher license. But there’s also a fully online, non-licensure option.

BS in Education – Physical Education

The blended format allows students to enjoy the flexibility of online classes and the advantages of in-person classes. The courses are delivered on a monthly basis. Specialization courses include Individual Sports, Team Sports, and Advanced Topics in Physical Education.

MEd in Educational Leadership candidates prepare for success as principals and vice principals, district supervisors, and superintendents, among others. There are two licensure tracks:
- 30-credit Principal Track with an 11-month time-to-degree
- 36-credit Full Certification Track with a 15-month time-to-degree

In-state Tuition: $13,150
Online Education Degrees: 3
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West Liberty University

WLU, a public university, is the oldest college in the state. Known for its student-centered education, WLU empowers its students to pursue personal and professional growth. Resilience as a value is reflected in its motto – Perseverando (By Persevering).

MA in Education is a 30-credit program featuring a two-part curriculum, and consisting of education core courses and concentration courses. Specializations offered online are in:
- Leadership in Education Administration
- Visual Art Education
- Instructional Design for Learning

An autism endorsement is also available.

Doctor of Education

The 60-credit program can be completed in three years. The accelerated pace, however, means candidates must persevere through the rigorous curriculum. Candidates complete didactic coursework, on-campus summer seminars, and a practice-based dissertation.

In-state Tuition: $3,958
Online Education Degrees: 2
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Directory of Online Education Degree Providers in West Virginia

Bethany College

Location: Bethany, WV
Number of Online Education Degrees: 1
Accreditation: HLC
Average Tuition and Fees: $32,640

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Master of Education

Shepherd University

Location: Shepherdstown, WV
Number of Online Education Degrees: 1
Accreditation: HLC
Average Tuition and Fees: $8,282