Are all applicants accepted into the Online Elementary Program?
No. Minimum requriements for admission to Concord University are required. Once admission to the university is granted, candidates must complete all other Online Elementary Program admission criteria, and have their application be reviewed by the Department of Education Chair.
Are only First-Time-Freshman allowed to apply?
No. Any first-time-freshman, current CU student, re-admit or transfer student can apply for admission into the Online Elementary Program. Candidates are welcome to transfer hsours. Analysis of transcripts are done on an individual basis.
Does acceptace into the Online Elementary Program mean automatic acceptance into the Teacher Education Program (TEP)?
No. Once admission into the program is granted, candidates must complete certain courses and requirements to be eligible to apply for formal admission to the TEP.
Would I be required to complete Clinical Experiences within Concord's service area?
CU does not place candidates in clinical experience classrooms without a written agreement with the school district. Concord is willing to work to establish agreements with any district in which the enrolled candidate is living, so that clinical experiences can be completed in relatively close proximity to the candidate. Establishing agreements depends on the willingness of the school district to provide certain assurances to ensure quality clinical experiences, with quality supervision and support.
Would Student Teaching be required?
Yes. Concord University’s Elementary Education program includes a Year-Long Residency. Part II of the Year-Long Residency is similar to what is traditionally known as student teaching. Candidates will complete Part I of the Year-Long Residency (previously referred to as Methods Block) in the same classroom in which they plan on student teaching. Since candidates have already completed Part I of the residency in the same classroom, candidates are more confident and prepared to be a co-teacher in an elementary education classroom during student teaching.
Will I received a teaching license?
Upon successful completion of the Online Elementary Program, candidates will be recommended for a West Virginia Teaching license. West Virginia has reciprocal agreements with many states. Candidates should check requirements of the state in which they are ultimately planning to teach for specific requirements and eligibility.
What if I determine that an entirely online program isn't the best choice for me after I have begun the coursework?
Candidates who are accepted into the Online Elementary Program may exit the program at any time to complete coursework as part the regular elementary education program. However, once a candiate exits the Online Elementary Program, they can not re-apply for admission.
Am I allowed to take a combination of online coursework, and course work delivered in a sychronous manner?
No. If a candidate is enrolled in the Online Elementary Program, all coursework must be completed entirely online. Accepted candidates will not be able to "jump around" between course delivery methods.
Will students not admitted to the Online Elementary Program be permitted to take online education courses as well?
Yes. Online Elementary Program candidates are given priority in online education course enrollment. If seats remain open after Online Elementary Program candidates have enrolled, non-online program candidates will be permitted to enroll in the coursework.
Will I be guaranteed a spot in an online course that is not an Education course?
Ideally, yes. Online Elementary Program courses must be taken in a specific order, in order to match other departments' online course offerings. A specific number of seats in those courses will be "reserved" for Online Elementary Program candidates during the designated semesters.