CERT First is an approved coursework pathway which is part of the WVDE Alternative Certification Program. Admission is a two-step process that starts with an application to the West Virginia Department of Education Alternative Certification Program, with Shepherd University selected as the Institution of Higher Education (IHE) course provider.
Eligibility Criteria for Admission:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education
- Minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA on undergraduate coursework
- WV substitute teaching permit
- Verification from WVDE that all general licensure requirements have been met – See WVDE Alternative Certification Program
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- Passing Scores on the Praxis Core or documentation of exemption as indicated in the WV Licensure Testing Directory
- Passing Score/Level on the Content Exams(s) as indicated in the WV Licensure Testing Directory for the teaching specialization being pursued
- Criminal History Check<
Upon approval from WVDE, apply to the Shepherd University’s CERT First Program. Upon admission to Shepherd, students enroll in the first of two self-paced asynchronous online courses that contain assignments that must be completed in a WV public school. To successfully complete the CERT First Program, a minimum grade of ‘B’ must be earned in each class and a passing score must be received on the edTPA in the area of certification being sought (see WV Licensure Testing Directory). Upon successful completion, teacher candidates will then work with WVDE to complete the licensure process.
CERT First Curriculum – Total Credit Hours, 6 hours:
EDUC 597 Beginning Pedagogy (3 cr)
EDUC 598 Intermediate Pedagogy (3 cr)
CERT First designated courses contribute towards the Master of Education in Teaching degree. Field experiences associated with these classes may take place in the classroom where a Cert First student is employed as a long-term substitute or on a provisional permit. CERT First students may take other graduate coursework needed for the master’s degree concurrently with the approved CERT First courses. Following certification, a student may expect to complete the remaining master’s degree requirements within 6 years.
E Course Modality:
- CERT First E-Classes will be fully online and meet Quality Matters requirements to be competitive with other universities.
- To make completion of the M.Ed. in Teaching possible for distant students, an additional 24 credits of online education graduate courses will be offered at least 1 time per year.