The BA in Elementary Education program is an innovative, 4-year on-campus program at West Virginia University that prepares students to earn a teaching certification in multi-subject grades K-6 upon graduation. As part of the program, students complete work in local, public school placements during their junior year, both fall and spring. Then, students are placed in a year-long residency their senior year, working in their schools 250 hours in the fall semester and full-time in the spring semester. The BA in Elementary Education program values the learning that happens not only in the WVU classrooms, but also in the application of these lessons in the field, as students graduate with over 800 of hours of practice and experience teaching in local schools.
In addition to an emphasis on experience in local schools, the Elementary Education program is committed to high academic standards at the state and national levels. Program faculty work with national accreditation standards and contribute to the profession at university, state, and national levels. This work involves exploration of technology, diversity, global initiatives, and culturally responsive teaching, facilitated by faculty who are leaders in research, teaching, and service.
The Elementary Education program also allows the space for students to find their individual areas of interest, for which many pursue a Master's degree. Students in the program can begin working as a classroom teacher after graduation and go on to earn graduate degrees.