The mission of the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) is to prepare educators who are competent, intentional, reflective, culturally responsive, leading, and empathic 21st Century Professionals.  The EPP 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. The advanced program strives to further develop and enhance the knowledge base of the practicing professional.  As candidates progress through the graduate curriculum, the improvement, refinement, and practice of professional knowledge bases, skills, and dispositions are enhanced and refined.

The Department 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 also 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.

Objective 1. Content and Pedagogical Knowledge

Ensure that candidates develop an understanding of the critical concepts and principles of their discipline and facilitates candidates’ reflection of their personal biases to increase their understanding and practice of equity, diversity, and inclusion. The provider is intentional in the development of their curriculum and clinical experiences for candidates to demonstrate their ability to effectively work with diverse P-12 students and their families.

• 1.1 The Learner and Learning - The provider ensures candidates are able to apply their knowledge of the learner and learning at the appropriate progression levels. Evidence provided should demonstrate that candidates are able to apply critical concepts and principles of learner development (InTASC Standard 1), learning differences (InTASC Standard 2), and creating safe and supportive learning environments (InTASC Standard 3) in order to work effectively with diverse P-12 students and their families.
• 1.2 Content - The provider ensures candidates are able to apply their knowledge of content at the appropriate progression levels. Evidence provided demonstrates candidates know central concepts of their content area (InTASC Standard 4) and are able to apply the content in developing equitable and inclusive learning experiences (InTASC Standard 5) for diverse P-12 students. Outcome data can be provided from a Specialized Professional Associations (SPA) process, a state review process, or an evidence review of Standard 1.
• 1.3 Instructional Practice ​- The provider ensures that candidates are able to apply their knowledge of InTASC standards relating to instructional practice at the appropriate progression levels. Evidence demonstrates how candidates are able to assess (InTASC Standard 6), plan for instruction (InTASC Standard 7), and utilize a variety of instructional strategies (InTASC Standard 8) to provide equitable and inclusive learning experiences for diverse P-12 students. Providers ensure candidates model and apply national or state approved technology standards to engage and improve learning for all students.
• 1.4 Professional Responsibility - The provider ensures candidates are able to apply their knowledge of professional responsibility at the appropriate progression levels. Evidence provided should demonstrate candidates engage in professional learning, act ethically (InTASC Standard 9), take responsibility for student learning and collaborate with others (InTASC Standard 10) to work effectively with diverse P-12 students and their families.

Objective 2. Clinical Partnerships and Practice

The provider ensures effective partnerships and high-quality clinical practice are central to candidate preparation. These experiences should be designed to develop candidate’s knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions to demonstrate positive impact on diverse students’ learning and development. High quality clinical practice offers candidates experiences in different settings and modalities, as well as with diverse P-12 students, schools, families, and communities. Partners share responsibility to identify and address real problems of practice candidates experience in their engagement with P-12 students.

• 2.1 Partnerships for Clinical Preparation - Partners co-construct mutually beneficial P-12 school and community arrangements for clinical preparation and share responsibility for continuous improvement of candidate preparation.
• 2.2 Clinical Educators - Partners co-select, prepare, evaluate, and support high-quality clinical educators, both provider- and school-based, who demonstrate a positive impact on candidates’ development and diverse P-12 student learning and development.
• 2.3 Clinical Experiences - The provider works with partners to design and implement clinical experiences, utilizing various modalities, of sufficient depth, breadth, diversity, coherence, and duration to ensure candidates demonstrate their developing effectiveness and positive impact on diverse P-12 students’ learning and development as presented in Standard R1.

Objective 3. Candidate Recruitment, Progression, and Support

The provider demonstrates the quality of candidates is a continuous and purposeful focus from recruitment through completion. The provider demonstrates that development of candidate quality is the goal of educator preparation and that the EPP provides supports services (such as advising, remediation, and mentoring) in all phases of the program so candidates will be successful.
 

• 3.1 Recruitment - The provider presents goals and progress evidence for recruitment of high-quality candidates from a broad range of backgrounds and diverse populations that align with their mission. The provider demonstrates efforts to know and address local, state, regional, or national needs for hard-to-staff schools and shortage fields. The goals and evidence should address progress towards a candidate pool which reflects the diversity of America’s P-12 students.
• 3.2 Monitoring and Supporting Candidate Progression​ - The provider creates and monitors transition points from admission through completion that indicate candidates’ developing content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, pedagogical skills, critical dispositions, professional responsibilities, and the ability to integrate technology effectively in their practice. The provider identifies a transition point at any point in the program when a cohort grade point average of 3.0 is achieved and monitors this data. The provider ensures knowledge of and progression through transition points are transparent to candidates. The provider plans and documents the need for candidate support, as identified in disaggregated data by race and ethnicity and such other categories as may be relevant for the EPP’s mission, so candidates meet milestones. The provider has a system for effectively maintaining records of candidate complaints, including complaints made to CAEP, and documents the resolution.
• 3.3 Competency at Completion​ - The provider ensures candidates possess academic competency to teach effectively with positive impacts on diverse P-12 student learning and development through application of content knowledge, foundational pedagogical skills, and technology integration in the field(s) where certification is sought. Multiple measures are provided and data are disaggregated and analyzed based on race, ethnicity, and such other categories as may be relevant for the EPP’s mission.

Objective 4. Program Impact

The provider demonstrates the effectiveness of its completers’ instruction on P-12 student learning and development, and completer and employer satisfaction with the relevance and effectiveness of preparation.

• 4.1 Completer Effectiveness​ - The provider demonstrates that program completers effectively contribute to P-12 student-learning growth, and apply in P-12 classrooms the professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions that the preparation experiences were designed to achieve. In addition, the provider includes a rationale for the data elements provided.
• 4.2 Satisfaction of Employers - The provider demonstrates employers are satisfied with the completers’ preparation for their assigned responsibilities in working with diverse P-12 students and their families
• 4.3 Satisfaction of Completers - The provider demonstrates program completers perceive their preparation as relevant to the responsibilities they encounter on the job, and their preparation was effective.

Objective 5. Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

The provider maintains a quality assurance system that consists of valid data from multiple measures and supports continuous improvement that is sustained and evidence-based. The system is developed and maintained with input from internal and external stakeholders. The provider uses the results of inquiry and data collection to establish priorities, enhance program elements, and highlight innovations.

• 5.1 Quality Assurance System​ - The provider has developed, implemented, and modified, as needed, a functioning quality assurance system that ensures a sustainable process to document operational effectiveness. The provider documents how data enter the system, how data are reported and used in decision making, and how the outcomes of those decisions inform programmatic improvement.
• 5.2 Data Quality​ - The provider’s quality assurance system from 5.1 relies on relevant, verifiable, representative, cumulative, and actionable measures to ensure interpretations of data are valid and consistent.
• 5.3 Stakeholder Involvement​ - The provider includes relevant internal (e.g., EPP administrators, faculty, staff, candidates) and external (e.g., alumni, practitioners, school and community partners, employers) stakeholders in program design, evaluation, and continuous improvement processes.
• 5.4 Continuous Improvement​ - The provider regularly, systematically, and continuously assesses performance against its goals and relevant standards, tracks results over time, documents modifications and/or innovations and their effects on EPP outcomes.

Objective 6. Fiscal and Administrative Capacity

The EPP has the fiscal and administrative capacity, faculty, infrastructure (facilities, equipment, and supplies) and other resources as appropriate to the scale of its operations and as necessary for the preparation of candidates to meet professional, state, and institutional standards. For EPPs whose institution is accredited by an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education (e.g., SACSCOC, HLC), such accreditation will be considered sufficient evidence of compliance with Standard 6. If an EPP’s institution is not accredited by an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, the EPP must address each component of ST 6 in narrative supported by evidence.

• 6.1 Fiscal Resources The EPP has the fiscal capacity as appropriate to the scale of its operations. The budget for curriculum, instruction, faculty, clinical work, scholarship, etc., supports highquality work within the EPP and its school partners for the preparation of professional educators.
• 6.2 Administrative Capacity The EPP has administrative capacity as appropriate to the scale of its operations, including leadership and authority to plan, deliver, and operate coherent programs of study so that their candidates are prepared to meet all standards. Academic calendars, catalogs, publications, grading policies, and advertising are current, accurate, and transparent.
• 6.3 Faculty Resources The EPP has professional education faculty that have earned doctorates or equivalent P-12 teaching experience that qualifies them for their assignments. The EPP provides adequate resources and opportunities for professional development of faculty, including training in the use of technology.
• 6.4 Infrastructure The EPP has adequate campus and school facilities, equipment, and supplies to support candidates in meeting standards. The infrastructure supports faculty and candidate use of information technology in instruction

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 mean you have been accepted into the Teacher Education Program. 

The Bachelor of Science in Education requires the successful completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours from the following areas: the General Education Program, the Professional Education Component, and the Content Specialization Component. Candidates are also required to meet criterion scores on PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators and PRAXIS II: Subject Assessments (some specializations require more than one subject assessment) and the Principles of Learning and Teaching Test. Candidates must also meet West Virginia certification requirements.

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

• Elementary (Grades K-6) prepares candidates to teach in elementary schools. This program may be combined with additional specializations.
• Content Specializations 5-Adult  prepare teacher candidates to teach at the secondary level. 
• Content Specializations Pre K-Adult prepare teacher candidates to teach in early education through adult education.
• Special Education Multi-Categorical (excluding Autism) K-6 & 5-Adult prepares teacher candidates to each special education at the elementary and/or secondary level.
• Early Childhood Special Education (Pre K-K) elective courses prepare candidates to teach Pre-K age children. 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.

Welcome to the Department of Education Graduate Program, dedicated to professional preparation and advancement. 

The mission of the Professional Education Unit for Teacher Education at Concord University is to prepare professional educators who are informed and thoughtful decision-makers capable of teaching a wide array of students and specializations in culturally diverse settings. The Professional Education Unit 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. The Graduate Program strives to further develop and enhance the knowledge base of the practicing professional. As individuals progress though the graduate curriculum, the improvement and refinement of professional knowledge bases, reflective analysis of practice, and judgment making capabilities are enhanced and refined.

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. Currently, Concord University offers two Graduate Studies Programs focused on Education: Master of Art in Teaching and Master of Education. For more information on these programs, please reference the link below.

• Master of Arts in Teaching
• Master of Education
• Education Graduate Programs: Resources & Forms

Thank you for your interest to pursue your advanced degree at Concord University.

Professional Education Component

All teacher education candidates must earn a 2.75 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. 

Professional Education Core

• EDUC 210 Diversity, Culture, and Education in a Pluralistic Society (3 hrs)
• EDUC 301 Educational Technology (3 hrs)*
• EDUC 305 Psychology of Teaching and Learning (3 hrs)
• EDUC 306 Classroom Management and Instructional Strategies (3 hrs)
• EDUC 460 Student Teaching (12 hrs)
• EDSP 303 Introduction to Special Education (3 hrs)
• EDSP 415 Co-Teaching, Consultation and Collaboration (3 hrs) or EDSP 409 Strategies for rthe Secondary Classroom Inclusive Environment (3 hrs)**

*Not required for Music PreK-Adult.  Music Education majors must MUS 301
**Required for Elementary K-6 majors only.

Year Long Residency
Students who complete Part 1 of the Year Long Residency will then transition into Part 2 of the Year Long Residency (Student Teaching) within the same classroom.

• Students in Pre K-Adult and 5-Adult content specializations must complete EDUC410, EDUC416, EDUC418 and EDSP409 as part of the Year Long Residency Part 1
• Students in the Elementary Education content specialization must complete EDUC412, EDUC413, EDUC414 and EDUC416 as part of the Year Long Residency Part 1
• Students in the Special Education content specialization must complete the EDSP412, EDSP413, EDSP414 and EDSP415* as part of the Year Long Residency Part 1

Content Area Component

All teacher education candidates must earn the minimum required content area GPA, and meet any additional minimum course grade requirements as outlined in the Academic Catlaog. Content area coursework is specific to each content specialization.

Clinical Experiences

Candidates are required to complete Clinical Experiences in PreK-Adult Partner Schools located in counties that are part of Concord University's service area, as well as required seminars offered at the University. Concord University's service area includes public schools in the following counties in WV and VA: Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Wyoming, Tazewell, Bland & Giles. 

Early Clinical Experiences are required by multiple education courses throughout the Professional Education Component, Content Specialization Component, and Methods Component. These Early Clinical Experiences will culminate in a Year Long Residency consisting of two parts. Students who complete Part 1 of the Year Long Residency will then transition into Part 2 of the Year Long Residency (Student Teaching) within the same classroom. Teacher Candidates are required to meet all special requirements set forth by each individual county's Board of Education if applicable.

​Candidates working toward the Bachelor of Science in Education degree are advised that all phases of teacher education require cooperative efforts between Concord University and the public schools or other agencies.The superintendent, or legal representatives of these agencies or schools, and the representative of the University shall have the authority, after consultation, to reject placement or terminate the participation of any candidate who fails to meet the professional standards of the cooperating school, agency, or the University.During student teaching, the reports of the supervising teacher(s) and the recommendation(s) of the University Supervisor are essential components in determining the eligibility for graduation and recommendation for licensure.

Partner Schools

Concord University is involved in a collaborative with local public schools.The Partner Schools are designed to prepare future educators, to provide current educators with ongoing professional development, to encourage joint school-university faculty investigation of education-related issues, and to promote the learning of P-12 students. The Partner Schools, structured as a network that includes University and public school faculty, parents, and community partners, seek to improve teacher education and meet professional development needs and goals as identified by public school faculty.The partnership collaborative provides the bridges that connect Concord’s teacher education program to the daily instructional practices that occur in P-12 schools. The Partner Schools serve as clinical sites for teacher candidates to teach under the guidance of an expert mentor teacher.The clinical experiences allow faculty from Concord and the partnerships to collaborate extensively in providing quality experiences for all teacher candidates involved in the initiative.The public schools benefit from the expertise of the University faculty and the significant contributions the teacher candidates make to the school. The children in these schools benefit from the additional adult attention as well as from the enthusiasm and new learning strategies that teacher candidates often bring to the classroom as they prepare to become teachers.

West Virginia currently has license reciprocity with all states, exluding California, through NC-SARA.  Through NASDTEC 45 states have reciprocity with West Virginia (excludes Alaska, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin). 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 one profession to another and from state to state. 

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.

For questions related to licensure, please contact Ms. Kimberly Nichols, Concord University Department of Education Certification Coordinator.

The Department of Education provides a variety of measures to facilitate candidates’ successful performance including the following:

• Assignment of an appropriate advisor
• Special summer advising
• Report of mid-term grades
• Individual letters to candidates upon application and acceptance to the program
• Individual letters to candidates upon application and acceptance to student teaching
• Student teaching placement meetings provide for discussion and questions
• Exit interviews with student teachers identify program strengths and recommendations for program improvement

A variety of support services are available including the Concord Child Development Center, Student Support Services, Autism Center and the Financial Aid Office.

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.

Program Graduates

Graduates of our program have been recognized as outstanding teachers of the year, admitted to prominent graduate schools around the country, and have earned scholarships and internships with affiliate professional organizations. Graduates of Concord University’s Teacher Education Program are eligible for licensure in West Virginia, and in other states through reciprocal agreements. Concord University is accredited under the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education through the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) from 2014-2020. Additionally, all of the content specializations are recognized by the following specialized professional associations, and/or the West Virginia Board of Education: 

• Association for 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 Reading Association (IRA)
• 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

Career Opportunities

• WVDE Employment Opportunities
• K12 Job Search
• Education America Network
• K12 Job Spot
• US Department fo 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 here