Elementary Education, BA
While certification is issued through West Virginia, our graduates teach across the country. The experience and preparation you gain here will give you the confidence to step into any classroom and make an impact.
You can also customize your path. Many students add a minor or begin a graduate degree (online options available) to deepen their expertise or expand their career options.
In addition to offering extensive experiences in classrooms, our program is committed to the highest standards set by the state and national levels. Our faculty help shape and uphold national accreditation standards, and they lead in areas like asset-based and culturally responsive teaching. Their work in research, teaching, and service ensures you’re learning from people who are moving the field forward.
Your Degree Plan
The coursework in the BA in Elementary Education program prepares you through academic preparation and hands-on experiences in elementary classrooms.
Expanding Content Knowledge
You’ll take a wide range of courses to develop your content knowledge in the areas of mathematics, science, technology, history, humanities, composition, and the arts. You’ll also take classes designed specifically to prepare you to teach mathematics, science, and social studies to young students.
Professional Courses
Beginning in your junior year, you’ll begin the professional track focused on developing the knowledge and skills for teaching. These courses include teaching methods for mathematics, science, literacy, and social studies. You’ll also learn how to support diverse learners through social-emotional development, place-based education, and differentiated instruction. Throughout, you’ll apply what you’re learning during field and clinical placements in local elementary schools.
Place-Based and Emotional Responsive Teaching
EDUC 304
Place-based and Emotionally Responsive Teaching involves working with local communities to support teaching and learning; this is one of the most challenging aspects of teaching. This course helps K-6 preservice teachers to understand the potential of seeing education as situated in the context of community, family, and collegial partnerships, yet recognizes the inherent debates and challenges of this work in unique contexts. The course addresses the importance of emotionally responsive teaching to support elementary school children experiencing traumatic stress responses.
Math for Elementary Teachers (1)
EDUC 330
This course focuses on topics of mathematics in the elementary grades, how these concepts connect to mathematics on the horizon (grades 6-8 and beyond), and how teachers need to know the mathematical content they teach in specialized ways. The course includes topics in the domains of counting and cardinality, numbers and operations, algebraic thinking, and connections among mathematical concepts.
Differentiation of Instruction
SPED 460
This course is designed to prepare prospective general and special education teachers to differentiate instruction to effectively meet the academic and social needs of the full range of students in inclusive settings within their schools.
Honors
Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.
The WVU Difference
What sets this program apart?
- Meets all CAEP standards for national accreditation at the initial teacher preparation and advanced preparation levels.
- Teacher-in-Residency. Spend the entire last year of your academic program in the same classroom working with the same students and alongside an experienced mentor teacher to gain deep understandings of the breadth of the school year.
- Expert faculty. You’ll learn from faculty with specialized knowledge of teaching and learning in their content areas. Our faculty stay current through their own research and use the latest findings in their fields to design the best learning experiences for students.
- Complete over 1,000 hours of work in schools to practice your teaching and help prepare you as you enter the teaching profession.
- Small class sizes. Each class is designed to maximize interaction with instructors, create closer connections with classmates, and provide more hands-on learning opportunities.
Learn by Doing
Get involved outside the classroom.
View all of the student organizations you can join.
EDUC 484: Residency/Technology Capstone in Elementary Education.
This course is the capstone experience for the Elementary Education program. It includes components that meet state required certification requirements including the submission for Performance Assessment exams required for certification. Students analyze their supervised teaching in an elementary school classroom (pK-6). The weekly seminar includes discussion of topics applicable to the classroom, technology, and analysis of planning, teaching, and assessment.
Careers and Outcomes
How does this degree prepare students for a career?
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
May Require Graduate Degree
Median Salary: $104,070
Possible Job Titles: Elementary Principal, Middle School Principal, Principal, Superintendent
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median Salary: $62,340
Possible Job Titles: Classroom Teacher, Elementary School Teacher, Elementary Teacher, Teacher
Tutors
Median Salary: $40,090
Possible Job Titles: Academic Coach, Academic Guidance Specialist, Professional Tutor, Tutor
Instructional Coordinators
May Require Graduate Degree
Median Salary: $74,720
Possible Job Titles: Curriculum and Instruction Director, Curriculum Coordinator, Instructional Designer, Instructional Technologist
Classroom Teacher, Education Consultant, Curriculum Designer, Workshop Facilitator, or Trainer
Suggested WVU minors for students seeking this career:
Required certifications for this career
- West Virginia Department of Education, Teacher Certification, Multi-subject K-6
Suggested experiences and résumé builders
- Kappa Delta Pi
- Yearlong residency program in the senior year (250 hours in fall, full-time in spring)
- Volunteer through iServe or at The Shack Neighborhood House.
Related professional organizations
Further your education
WVU graduate programs to consider:
Where some of our graduates are studying:
- MA, Educational Policy, Vanderbilt Peabody College
- MEd, School Counseling, University of Virginia
- MA, Literacy Education, West Virginia University
Meet Your Community
The Elementary Education family will inspire you.
Johnna Bolyard
Professional Highlights
- Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Human Resources and Education, WVU, 2021
- Mathematics Teacher of the Year - College Level, West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2015
- Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Human Resources and Education, WVU, 2010
Carla Brigandi
Professional Highlights
- Early Scholar Award, National Association for Gifted Children, 2021
- Principal Investigator, Project Appalachian Coders, U.S. Department of Education Jacob K. Javits Gifted Education Award, 2019-2024
- Chair elect, the National Association for Gifted Children Research and Evaluation Network, 2022-2024
Matthew Campbell
Professional Highlights
- Research emphasis on teacher education, teacher recruitment and retention, and teacher leadership
- Principal Investigator, Mountaineer Mathematics Master Teachers (M3T)
- President, West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (WVCTM), 2022-2024
- Associate Vice President, AMTE STaR Fundraising Committee, 2023-2026
- Editorial Panel Chair, Mathematics Teacher Educator, 2021-2022
Jeffrey Carver
Professional Highlights
- 20 years' experience in the educational field
- Directs STEM Education Initiatives at the College of Applied Human Services
- Research interests focus on the improvement of teaching and learning in the STEM disciplines at all levels (p-20)
Sharon Hayes
Professional Highlights
- Coordinator of Action Research Faculty, 2008-2020
- WVU National Writing Project, 2008-2011
- Program Coordinator, 5 Year Teacher Education Program, 2020-2021
- Program Coordinator, Elementary Math Specialist Master’s, 2021-2023
- Licensed teacher in New Jersey: Elementary Education, Middle School
- 10 years public school experience (K-8)
- Former preschool teacher and childcare provider
Melissa Luna
Professional Highlights
- Journal of the Learning Sciences Reviewer of the Year, 2022-2023
- CAHS Associate Dean for Research and Engagement, 2022-2023
- CEHS Associate Dean for Research, 2019-2022
- WVU CEHS Outstanding Researcher Award, 2018
- National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 2016
Sarah Selmer
Professional Highlights
- Research emphasis: responsive noticing of student mathematical thinking
- Completed a Fulbright specialist program in Lesotho, Africa (Summer 2023)
- Department Editor for Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12
Melissa Sherfinski
Professional Highlights
- Chair, American Educational Research Association (AERA) Early Education and Child Development Special Interest Group
- Board Member, Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education and Journal of Research in Childhood Education
- Licensed teacher in West Virginia and Wisconsin, areas: Elementary Education, Early Childhood-PK-K Special Needs, Intellectual Disabilities, Autism
- 6 years public school experience (K-5)
- Former preschool teacher and childcare provider
Courtney Shimek
Professional Highlights
- Research interests: confluence between play and literacy, multimodal responses to literature, use of nonfiction in elementary classrooms and literacy teacher preparation
Yuanhua Wang
Professional Highlights
- Areas of expertise: Science teacher education and computational thinking
- Research interests: Science inquiry and inquiry teaching, teacher's knowledge in STEM education, and computational thinking in science teacher education
"This program, in comparison to others, does a great job of getting you in the field to get experience. We get to make some mistakes and learn while we’re in the field, which is really important because you’re going to make mistakes. Also, the faculty here have great, practical experience and are willing to work with students. Our classes are small, and we can have discussions about the material rather than just being lectured."
Zane Collings
"I come from a long line of educators. My parents are both involved in the education world to varying degrees, my grandmother was a teacher, and my great-grandfather was an administrator. The profession has surrounded me my entire life. Both of my parents and grandparents graduated from WVU, so applying here felt natural and like the right next step. Not only that, but WVU is a leader in a lot of ground-breaking research, which makes it a great institution to learn from and experience amazing opportunities."
Karoline Colucci
"I think this program is extremely special simply because of the great professors. I’ve gotten to know several professors on such a genuine and authentic level, and it’s made learning so much more fun and special. The professors who are a part of this program have taught me so much, even outside the classroom."
Rachel Ratliff
“I did a lot of research on WVU’s education program and loved that it was a four-year program where I could get hands-on teaching experience in classrooms. Everything just felt like a perfect fit. Between the education program and being able to dance, WVU had everything I was looking for."
Brooklyn Slade
"WVU provided me with the academic knowledge and classroom experience for me to be prepared for my first year as a teacher. Throughout my time at WVU, I have had the privilege of working with some of the best professors on campus. They went the extra mile to create relationships with me and my classmates. They honestly made it feel like a little family. The elementary education program has a built-in student teaching experience that has helped me take knowledge from my courses and put it into practice in the classroom."
Taylor Bleigh
Elementary Education
"My coursework from my methods and inquiry classes have influenced my classroom practice by giving me multiple perspectives to help relate to my students. I have found that my relationship with the entire class has flourished as I apply strategies taught by our professors, in and outside of the classroom."
Laura Brock
Elementary Education, 2022
"The College of Applied Human Sciences stood out to me because of its strong emphasis on hands-on experience and its commitment to preparing future educators to make a real impact. I knew I would be supported, challenged, and surrounded by people who were just as passionate about teaching as I am."
Chloe Hardesty
Elementary Education
"I love how this program gets us into the field in the fall of our junior year. It allows us to observe 2 different classrooms, 1 from the lower grades and 1 from the upper grades, and this helps us decide where we would like our grade residency to be."
Hope Wright
Elementary Education
FAQs
Common questions and answers about Elementary Education.
Yes. One example is the Underwood-Smith Scholarship, which provides $10,000 each year for 4 years.
There are also University scholarships and CAHS scholarships to support your studies on campus.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Elementary Education major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.
Admission requirements for new students:
You must meet the following requirements:
- High School GPA: 2.5
Admission requirements for current students:
You must meet the following requirements:
- Overall College GPA: 2.5
Admission requirements for transfer students:
You must meet the following requirements:
- Overall College GPA: 2.5
Tuition and Aid
How much does Elementary Education at WVU cost? And how can you save?
Tuition and Fees
Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.
Ways to Save
Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.
Financial Aid
The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Elementary Education, BA is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Ohio Tuition Reciprocity
As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Elementary Education can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.
Start at Another WVU Campus
You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.
Transfer Articulation Agreements
To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.
Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.
Request Info
Want to know more about Elementary Education at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.
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