Overview of Program
The Education Program at the University of Charleston (UC) prepares students who will be committed educators, lifelong learners, and community servants. More specifically, the education faculty provides students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge (KNOW), skills (DO), and dispositions (BE) to become an effective teacher.
- Knowledge (KNOW)
Upon graduation, UC’s teacher candidates will have the content knowledge necessary to teach their future students. The content will be specifically aligned with state and national standards, and be reflected and demonstrated during their professional experiences at UC and through passing scores on the Praxis content exam.
- Pedagogy (DO)
Upon graduation, UC’s Teacher Candidates will have the pedagogy necessary to design research-based instruction that promotes “best practices” and in-depth learning. Teacher candidates will have the ability to self-assess and reflect on their instructional practice and make changes based on these assessments.
- Dispositions (BE)
Upon graduation, UC’s Teacher Candidates will have the dispositions necessary to be an effective teacher through their interactions with teachers, faculty, and students.
Certification Areas
Additional Program Information
- Accreditation from the West Virginia Department of Education
- Accredited by National Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC)
- Variety of certification areas include Biology 9–Adult, Elementary Education K–6, English 5–Adult, General Science 5–Adult, Social Studies 5–Adult and Wellness Pre-K–Adult (Physical Education and Health)
- Universal Design for Learning, a multicategorical, special education certification may be taken in conjunction with one of the above content certification areas
- Small classes that encourage active participation by students
- “Smart” classrooms and computer labs that feature innovative technology
- National leader in integrating Liberal Learning Outcomes for Education and liberal arts courses, emphasizing skills in communication, creativity, citizenship, critical thinking, ethical practice, and science throughout a student’s program
- Field experiences beginning freshman year with ethnically and economically diverse students in rural, urban, and suburban schools
- West Virginia Department of Education recognized by all 50 states and the District of Columbia