Become a Teacher
in West Virginia
Certification Roadmap
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West Virginia Prerequisite Coursework
West Virginia Teacher Preparation
West Virginia Certification Reciprocity
West Virginia Teacher Salary
West Virginia Required Tests
Teacher Certification Information & Links
West Virginia Highlights
$43700
Avg. Elementary Teacher Salary
$43410
Avg. Secondary Teacher Salary
137%
Teacher Salary vs. State Average
15
Vacation Weeks Per Year:
To become a certified teacher in West Virginia, you will need to fulfill all prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating the site with new information on a regular basis. To stay up-to-date with the latest in teacher certification, please complete the form in the right sidebar.
West Virginia Prerequisite Coursework
All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. West Virginia, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.
Certification Map has partnered with MAT@USC, a Master of Arts in Teaching program delivered online at the USC Rossier School of Education. Learn more about how the program’s unique blend of online learning and field-based teaching will prepare you for a career working in West Virginia classrooms.
West Virginia Teacher Preparation
Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Information about alternative certification in West Virginia is coming soon!
West Virginia Certification Reciprocity
West Virginia will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the West Virginia Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
| Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | California |
| Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida |
| Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
| Indiana | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana |
| Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan |
| Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
| Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico |
| New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island |
| South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas |
| Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington |
| Wyoming |
West Virginia Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: West Virginia provides no support for teachers teaching in high needs schools or teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: West Virginia has strong induction policies in place
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in West Virginia makes $43,700
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in West Virginia makes $43,410
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in West Virginia makes 137% of the salary of the average worker in West Virginia
- Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in West Virginia receives 15 weeks of vacation per year
