Department Of Education

A maroon banner that says 2023 - 2024 CU Annual Assessment Achievement Award Concord University has a proud tradition of preparing outstanding teachers since it was founded as a Normal School in 1872. The preparation of teachers continues to play a significant role at Concord University, as approximately twenty-five percent of the students who graduate each year earn degrees in education. This history of commitment to teacher education, combined with a current mission statement that emphasizes high quality instruction creates a context of high expectations for the Educator Preparation Program (CUEPP) at Concord University. Today, the CUEPP includes 14 programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, offering programs for initial licensure and advanced degrees. Graduates of Concord University’s Educator Preparation Program are eligible for licensure in West Virginia, and in other states through reciprocal agreements

The CUEPP collaborates with representatives from public schools, professional groups, government, and other programs within the University to prepare educators and to cooperate in the development of educational policies. The Department strives for the improvement of education at the local, state, regional, and national levels in that the improvement of schooling results in a more literate and enlightened citizenry. This, in turn, contributes to the proliferation of democratic values and enhances our position in the global economy.

Graduates of our program have been recognized as outstanding teachers of the year, earned scholarships and internships with affiliate professional organizations, and have been admitted to prominent graduate schools around the country.

Undergraduate Programs

Concord University’s Department of Education offers undergraduate students a wide range of content specializations and endorsements. Students are formally accepted as education majors once they have been admitted into the Teacher Education Program. Acceptance into Concord University and declaration of education as a major does not guarantee acceptance into the Teacher Education Program. The Bachelor of Science in Education degree may qualify a teacher candidate for recommendation of initial licensure to the West Virginia Department of Education. This is a requirement, even if the candidate intends to teach in another state. Through reciprocal licensure agreements, graduates may qualify for licensure in other states. Graduates may receive one-year probationary certification while filing to become a citizen of the United States, or when filing a declaration of intent to become a naturalized citizen. Candidates are required to meet criterion scores on all Praxis Exams required for their licensure area, and must also meet West Virginia certification requirements.

Candidates who enter the Teacher Education Program, and graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Education, may seek certification in the following areas:

Elementary Education (Grades K-6)
English 5-Adult
General Science 5-Adult
Music PreK-Adult
Social Studies 5-Adult
Special Education Multi-Categorical (excluding Autism) K-6 & 5-Adult
Wellness PreK-Adult
Early Childhood Intervention minor coursework (PreK/K) prepares candidates to teach PreK age children and/or early childhood special education. This program does not lead to initial licensure. Students who wish to add this to their licensure must successfully complete the Praxis Content Knowledge Exam upon graduation.
Special Education minor coursework prepares candidates to teach in a special education setting. This program does not lead to initial licensure. Students who wish to add this to their licensure must successfully complete the Praxis Content Knowledge Exam upon graduation.

The Bachelor of Science in Education requires the successful completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours from the following areas, with an Overall GPA of at least 2.50. Please reference the Academic Catalog for additional information.

General Education Program
Content Specialization Component: All teacher education candidates must earn the minimum required content area GPA at stated in the Academic Catalog, and meet all minimum grade requirements as outlined in the Academic Catalog. Content area coursework is specific to each content specialization.
Professional Education Component: All teacher education candidates must earn a 2.50 GPA in the Professional Education Component, and complete all Professional Education Component courses with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Coursework in the Professional Education Component that is older than ten years may have to be repeated.
- EDUC 210 Diversity, Culture, and Education in a Pluralistic Society (3 hrs)
- EDUC 210L Clinical Experience Level I (0 hrs)
- EDUC 301 Educational Technology (3 hrs)
- EDUC 305 Psychology of Teaching and Learning (3 hrs)
- EDUC305L Clinical Experience Level II (0 hrs)
- EDUC 306 Classroom Management and Instructional Strategies (3 hrs)
- EDUC 306L Clinical Experience Level III (0 hrs)
- EDUC 418 Content Area Reading (3 hrs) – Required for Secondary Education (Pre-Adult & 5-Adult) majors only.
- Residency Part I
  - EDSP 415 Co-Teaching, Consultation and Collaboration (3 hrs)
  - EDUC416 Assessment and the Data Informed Teacher (3 hrs)
  - EDUC450 Clinical Experience Level IV (6 hrs)
- Residency Part II
  - EDUC460 Clinical Experience Level V (12 hrs)

Graduate Programs

Concord University offers two Graduate Studies Programs focused on Education:

Master of Art in Teaching: The Master of Arts in Teaching program is designed for individuals with a Bachelor’s degree in a specific content area, who wish to turn their content area degree into an initial teaching license in that field.
Master of Education. The Master of Education program is designed for individuals who already hold an initial teaching license. The U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges ranked Concord University at #117 in Best Online Master’s in Education Programs for 2024. Additionally, Concord University ranked #1 in the state of West Virginia in this category.

In the summer of 2002 Concord was granted approval for the offering of graduate courses on a limited basis. Full approval of the graduate program was granted in August, 2003. The development of a graduate program was in alignment with the overall mission to serve southern West Virginia and to provide a quality program for the practicing professionals in the region.

Department of Education Graduate Programs are dedicated to professional preparation and advancement, and strive to further develop and enhance the knowledge base of the practicing professional. As individuals progress though the graduate curriculum, the professional knowledge bases, reflective analysis of practice, dispositions and judgment making capabilities are enhanced and refined. The Educator Preparation Program (EPP) strives to provide all teacher candidates the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective teachers by offering the highest quality instruction and programs utilizing all available resources efficiently and effectively.

We have several forms and resources that are beneficial to our Department of Education Graduate Programs Students; click here to view them.

Exit Criteria & Career Opportunities

Exit Criteria

Graduation criteria include the completion of a minimum of 120 hours, the required GPAs, successful completion of all state-required tests, and the completion of all coursework to meet program certification requirements. Graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education will not be granted unless a teacher candidate also satisfies all West Virginia teacher certification requirements, which includes a state and national background check.

As of January 1, 2002, all applicants for initial licensure must be fingerprinted and undergo state and federal background checks. Individuals convicted of a felony may not be eligible for certification to teach. Convicted felons should determine their eligibility for certification with the West Virginia Department of Education prior to entering the teacher education program.

What Happens After Graduation?

WVDE Employment Opportunities
K12 Job Search
Education America Network
K12 Job Spot
US Department of State Office of Overseas Schools (international)
Teacher Exchange Program (international)
U.S. Peace Corp (international)
Association of Christian Schools (international)
Teach Abroad (international)
Additional information can be found here

Accreditation & Professional Associations

All education programs at Concord University are accredited under the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Preparation (CAEP) through Fall 2027

Additionally, all of the content specializations are recognized by the following specialized professional associations, and/or the West Virginia Board of Education:

Childhood Education International (ACEI)
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Society of Health and Physical Education (SHAPE)
International Literacy Association (ILA)
Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC)
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
West Virginia Board of Education

Teacher Education Program

Additional Resources

Positive Behavior Support Training

Year Long Residency

Early Clinical Experience

Online Elementary Education Program

License Reciprocity

Concord University’s Educator Preparation Program (EPP) is aligned with licensing requirements of West Virginia. If you intend to practice outside of West Virginia, please check with the appropriate state licensing body. Requirements for licensure vary from state to state. For questions related to licensure, please contact CU's Department of Education Certification Coordinator.

WV currently has license reciprocity with 48 states (excludes CA) through NC-SARA; WV will accept licensures from these states. Through NASDTEC 45 states (excludes AK, IA, MN and WI) have reciprocity with WV; they will accept a WV license . Students seeking licensure in another state are advised to contact the appropriate licensing board in that state to determine specific requirements or guidelines for reciprocity as we are unable to determine if the program meets requirements for licensure in other U.S. states or protectorates. For a list of the state departments of education that oversee professional teaching licensure, see the U.S. Department of Education website – State Contacts page.

Mission Statement

To prepare educators who are competent, intentional, reflective, culturally responsive, leading, and empathic 21st Century Professionals.

The CU Department of Education strives to provide all teacher candidates at the initial and advanced level with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to become effective teachers/leaders by offering the highest quality instruction and programs.

Grow Your Own (GYO)

CU's Teacher Education Program is a participant of the West Virginia Department of Education Grow Your Own (GYO) program.

Successful completion of GYO coursework from any participating institution is accepted into the teacher education program at Concord University. Contact the CU Department of Education for a personalized program of study to be developed based on earned GYO credit.