State hub

How to become a teacher in West Virginia

Prep providers

Completers

777

Newly licensed

864

Colleges (IPEDS)

Credential rules change. Confirm current requirements with West Virginia Department of Education.

Steps drawn from the state's data

Earn a bachelor's degree. At least one initial credential requires one.
Complete a teacher preparation program. West Virginia has 33 Title II providers.
Complete clinical experience such as student teaching.
Pass the tests the state requires (Title II reports that tests are required, not which ones).
Complete a background check or fingerprinting.
Apply to West Virginia Department of Education for an initial credential, such as 3 Year Professional Teaching Certificate; Career and Technical Certificate; Initial Professional Teaching Certificate; Permit for Non-United States Citizen.
Career changers can use one of 2 alternative routes instead of a traditional program.

West Virginia teacher certification Alternative routes

Teacher preparation providers in West Virginia

Provider	Program types	Enrollment	Completers
ABCTE - WV	Alternative, not IHE-based	242	85
Appalachian Bible College	Traditional	10	4
Bethany College WV	Traditional	11	5
Bluefield State University	Traditional	66	15
Braxton County Schools	Alternative, not IHE-based	3	2
Cabell County Schools	Alternative, not IHE-based	5	0
Concord University	Traditional	138	41
Davis and Elkins College	Traditional	16	5
Fairmont State University	Traditional	186	58
Fayette County Schools	Alternative, not IHE-based	11	0
Glenville State University	Traditional	151	21
Greenbrier County Schools	Alternative, not IHE-based	4	3
IteachWEST VIRGINIA	Alternative, not IHE-based	129	39
Kanawha County School District	Alternative, not IHE-based	45	4
Lincoln County Schools	Alternative, not IHE-based	11	0
Marshall University	Traditional	726	124
Mercer County Schools	Alternative, not IHE-based	6	1
Moreland University-WV	Alternative, IHE-based	11	1
Morgan County Schools	Alternative, not IHE-based	3	2
Nicholas County Schools	Alternative, not IHE-based	5	1
Preston County Schools Alt Route	Alternative, not IHE-based	7	4
Salem International University	Traditional	1	0
Shepherd University	Traditional	341	52
SREB Alternative Certification Program	Alternative, not IHE-based	9	3
Teach for America - Appalachia (WV)	Alternative, not IHE-based	1	1
University of Charleston	Traditional	7	7
West Liberty University	Traditional	149	46
West Virginia State University	Traditional	145	29
West Virginia University Morgantown	Traditional	774	133
West Virginia University Parkersburg	Traditional	71	13
West Virginia Wesleyan College	Traditional	20	15
Wheeling University	Traditional	52	11
WVDE Alternative Certification Program	Alternative, not IHE-based	185	52

About teacher preparation in West Virginia

West Virginia has a collaborative process for program approval to improve educator preparation providers and potential educators by incorporating program guidelines based on research and best practices. The processes, policies, and guidelines ensure that those who are prepared for employment in the public schools have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to function as entry-level members of the profession. They also ensure that higher education institutions work collaboratively with the public schools in designing and delivering professional educator preparation experiences to increase student achievement. The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) continuously develops, revises, and adopts the program objectives, assessment instruments, and proficiency levels for the professional preparation of educators through a collaborative effort with many stakeholders: the West Virginia Commission for Professional Teaching Standards (WVCPTS), the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE), the stakeholder groups, the governing boards for public and private West Virginia institutions of higher education, public school administrators, and classroom teachers. The West Virginia Department of Education carries out the WVBE policy processes and technical assistance for educator preparation providers for program review and accreditation.