State Approved Coursework

On March 10, 2021, Senate Bill 14 was approved by the Governor to be made effective ninety days from passage on May 27, 2021. This legislation created a third option for acquiring a Professional Teaching Certificate in §18A-3-2a. This option includes a requirement that individuals must successfully complete pedagogical training or a pedagogical course or courses in substantive alignment with nationally recognized pedagogical standards, or approved or established by the state board. On May 12, 2021, the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) initially designated the West Virginia Pedagogical Standards as set forth in, “Policy 5310, Performance Evaluation of School Personnel, §126-142-13. Teacher Evaluation Standards and Elements” to satisfy this requirement. As the WVBE approves pedagogical standards and recognizes coursework substantially aligned to those standards for the purpose of issuing licensure through Option 3 for acquiring a Professional Teaching Certificate, information will be added to this section of the website. Programs and pedagogical standards are approved through processes described in WVBE Policy 5901.

Entities seeking to submit an application to have their course(s) approved by the WVBE for the issuance of licensure through Option 3 may contact Dr. Traci Tuttle or Mr. Robert Mellace in the Office of Educator Preparation at 1-304-558-3119.

WVBE Approved Pedagogical Standards

WVBE Recognized Coursework Providers for Option 3

American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence Program (American Board)

Approved by the WVBE on September 8, 2021, American Board provides a state-approved, online initial teacher certification program for the specific endorsement areas listed below:

  • Biology 9-Adult, 
  • Chemistry 9-Adult, 
  • English 5-9, 
  • English 5-Adult, 
  • Elementary Education K-6, 
  • General Science 5-9, 
  • General Science 5-Adult, 
  • Algebra I 5-Adult, 
  • General Math Through Algebra I 5-9, 
  • Mathematics 5-Adult, 
  • Physics 9-Adult, 
  • Social Studies 5-9, 
  • Social Studies 5-Adult, 
  • Multi-Categorical (E/BD, MI, SLD, excluding Autism) K-6 
  • Multi-Categorical (E/BD, MI, SLD, excluding Autism) 5-Adult.

American Board is not nationally accredited or affiliated with an institution of higher education. Therefore, the completion of the program’s courses does not result in college credit. While the program is self-paced, generally candidates complete the program within seven to ten months. The program does not require successful completion of a clinical experience (student teaching). The program provider’s homepage may be accessed at American Board.

iTeachWESTVIRGINIA (iTeach)

Approved by the WVBE on April 13, 2022, iTeach provides a state-approved, online initial teacher certification program for the specific endorsement areas listed below:

  • Algebra I 5-Adult, 
  • Art PreK-Adult, 
  • Biology 9-Adult, 
  • Business Education 5-Adult, 
  • Business Education/Marketing 5-Adult, 
  • Chemistry 9-Adult, 
  • Chinese PreK-Adult, 
  • Early Childhood Education K-4, 
  • Early Education PreK-K, 
  • Earth and Space Science 5-Adult, 
  • Elementary Education K-6, 
  • English 5-9, 
  • English 5-Adult, 
  • English as a Second Language PreK-Adult, 
  • Family and Consumer Science 5-Adult, 
  • French PreK-Adult, 
  • General Mathematics through Algebra I 5-9, 
  • General Science 5-9, 
  • General Science 5-Adult, 
  • Geometry 5-Adult, 
  • German PreK-Adult, 
  • Health PreK-Adult, 
  • Japanese PreK-Adult, 
  • Latin PreK-Adult, 
  • Marketing 5-Adult, 
  • Mathematics 5-Adult, 
  • Music 
  • PreK-Adult, 
  • Oral Communications 9-Adult, 
  • Physical Education PreK-Adult, 
  • Physics 9-Adult, 
  • Russian PreK-Adult, 
  • Social Studies 5-9, 
  • Social Studies 5-Adult, 
  • Spanish PreK-Adult, 
  • Technology Education 5-Adult, 
  • Wellness PreK-Adult, 
  • Emotional/Behavior Disorders K-6, 
  • Emotional/Behavior Disorders 5-Adult, 
  • Intellectual Disabilities K-6, 
  • Intellectual Disabilities 5-Adult, 
  • Multi-Categorical (E/BD, MI, SLD, excluding Autism) K-6, 
  • Multi-Categorical (E/BD, MI, SLD, excluding Autism) 5-Adult.

iTeach is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), but is not affiliated with an institution of higher education. Therefore, the completion of the program’s courses does not result in college credit. However, iTeach has indicated that there is a process offered to program completers which may allow them to receive up to 12 hours of credit in the American College of Education’s master’s degree program. Six instructional courses are completed in a linear fashion. iTeachWESTVIRGINIA utilizes a curriculum delivered virtually and no clinical experience is required. Mastery of the coursework must be demonstrated by achieving an 80 or higher on each assessment and a score of two or higher in each assignment prior to the participant progressing into the subsequential instructional course. The program is designed to take nine months from start to completion, but may take up to two years if an extension is approved, which requires a renewal fee. Program fees will be provided on the iTeachWESTVIRGINIA website and are reviewed in the introductory course, which requires completion of a detailed letter of agreement prior to program admission. The program provider’s homepage may be accessed at iTeach.

MathTrack

Approved by the WVBE on February 14, 2024, MathTrack provides a state-approved, online initial teacher certification program for the specific endorsement area listed below:

  • Mathematics 5-Adult

MathTrack is not nationally accredited and MathTrack University is not a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Therefore, the completion of the program’s courses does not result in college credit. Generally, candidates complete the program between twelve and fifteen months, but there are ways to request time extension(s) (fees may apply). The coursework offers both mathematics content and pedagogical training. The program offers two possible tracks, with one including a residency experience (student teaching) and one not including the residency. Program coursework is projected to become available beginning in April of 2024.

New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning

Approved by the WVBE on April 9, 2024, The New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL) provides a state-approved, online initial teacher certification program for the specific endorsement areas listed below:

  • Mathematics 5-Adult
  • General Mathematics Through Algebra I 5-9
  • Physics 9-Adult
  • Biology 9-Adult
  • Chemistry 9-Adult 
  • General Science 5-Adult

The NJCTL received initial accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) in early 2024. However, the NJCTL is not a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Therefore, the completion of the program’s courses does not result in college credit. The expected duration of the program, as stated by NJCTL, is between 6 and 18 months. The coursework offers both content and pedagogical training.

Teach for America Appalachia

Approved by the WVBE on March 8, 2023, Teach for America Appalachia provides a state-approved, initial teacher certification program with in-person and online requirements for the specific endorsement areas listed below:

  • Algebra I 5-Adult (AD)
  • American Sign Language PreK-AD
  • Art PreK-AD, Biology 9-AD
  • Business Education 5-AD
  • Business Education/Marketing 5-AD
  • Chemistry 9-AD
  • Chemistry/Physics 9-AD
  • Chinese PreK-AD
  • Earth and Space Science 5-AD
  • Early Childhood Education K-4
  • Elementary Education K-6
  • English 5-AD
  • English as a Second Language PreK-AD
  • French PreK-AD
  • General Math through Algebra I 5-9
  • General Science 5-AD
  • Geometry 5-AD
  • German PreK-AD
  • Health PreK-AD
  • Japanese PreK-AD
  • Latin PreK-AD
  • Marketing 9-AD
  • Mathematics (Comprehensive) 5-AD
  • Music PreK-AD
  • Oral Communications 5-AD
  • Physical Education PreK-AD
  • Physics 9-AD
  • Russian PreK-AD
  • Social Studies 5-AD
  • Spanish PreK-AD
  • Technology Education 5-AD
  • Wellness PreK-AD
  • Emotional/Behavioral Disorders K-6
  • Emotional/Behavioral Disorders 5-AD
  • Intellectual Disabilities K-6
  • Intellectual Disabilities 5-AD
  • Multi-Categorical K-6
  • Multi-Categorical 5-AD
  • Specific Learning Disabilities K-6

Complete details and up to date information about program participant expenses may be found on the TeachForAmerica website.

Teach for America Appalachia is not affiliated with an institution of higher education. Therefore, the completion of the program’s courses does not result in college credit. TFAA utilizes a combination of online and in-person training to prepare teachers for initial certification. The curriculum consists of pre-work assignments which participants complete over the course of several weeks between February and June. Participants who are successful in completing the required pre-work assignments are approved for an approximately six-week practicum experience with professional development sessions taking place during June and July (requiring virtual and in-person commitments). Program participants are responsible for acquiring appropriate permit(s) in accordance with WVBE Policy 5202 for participation in the practicum.

Once the practicum is successfully completed, it is expected that program participants have secured or will quickly secure employment for a position beginning with the approaching school year (e.g., August or September of the current year) for which no fully certified educator has applied, via the First-Class Full-Time Permit. Program participants must meet all criteria for acquiring and maintaining the First-Class Full-Time Permit as they participate in two years of support immediately following the practicum as detailed within the program’s guidance.

Program participants who successfully complete the two-year period of support may be considered successful program completers. Successful program completers must meet all WVBE Policy 5202 requirements to apply for a Provisional Professional Teaching Certificate, including all applicable testing requirements of the WV Licensure Testing Directory (e.g., basic skills, content and professional education testing). The program’s homepage may be accessed at Appalachia.

Teach-Now Teacher Preparation Certification Program (Teach-Now) at Moreland University

Approved by the WVBE on October 13, 2021, Teach-Now provides a state-approved and online initial teacher certification program for the specific endorsement areas listed below:

  • Chinese 5-Adult, 
  • Elementary Education K-6, 
  • English 5-9, 
  • English 5-Adult, 
  • English as a Second Language 
  • PreK-Adult, 
  • General Science 5-9, 
  • General Science 5-Adult, 
  • Japanese 5-Adult, 
  • Mathematics (Comprehensive) 5-Adult, 
  • Social Studies 5-Adult, Spanish 5-Adult, 
  • Multi-Categorical (E/BD, MI, SLD, excluding Autism) K-6 
  • Multi-Categorical (E/BD, MI, SLD, excluding Autism) 5-Adult.

Moreland University is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) (which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation), and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. Therefore, the completion of the program’s courses may result in college credit. The program requires successful completion of a clinical experience (student teaching) and does not guarantee a clinical placement for every candidate as the program participant is responsible for finding a school that will accept their placement. Individuals participating in the clinical experience must be appropriately licensed by WVDE Certification Services and a memorandum of understanding between the county and Teach-Now must be approved prior to the clinical experience occurring. An approved documented agreement between Teach-Now and the school of placement is also required. The university offers opportunities to acquire a master’s degree in education through additional cost and efforts of the participant. Generally, candidates complete the program within nine to twelve months. The program provider’s homepage may be accessed at Moreland University.

Individuals who successfully complete programs consisting of state-approved coursework for Option 3 must receive the provider’s official recommendation(s), possess the minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a 2.5 overall cumulative grade point average, meet testing requirements identified in the most current West Virginia Licensure Testing Directory and meet general requirements including qualifying outcomes on background checks. Individuals must apply for licensure through the Certification Services website.

Disclaimers

Licensure issued by the Office of Certification requires applicants to complete State and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal background checks.Individuals using these programs are subject to WVBE Policy 5202 requirements for possessing U.S Citizenship or submitting qualifying documentation of a valid Permanent Resident Card, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or work permit issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to qualify for licensure. This summary information does not supersede WVBE policy or State Code requirements. Complete licensure requirements are subject to change and as identified in WVBE Policy 5202 and the West Virginia Licensure Testing Directory.

The WVDE is not affiliated with any of the program providers listed above and is not responsible for participant experiences or outcomes associated with participation in these programs. Contact providers for complete details about the cost of each program.

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