“Two new off-campus offerings and one Morgantown-based program will accelerate the time it takes teachers to become certified as principals in K-12 schools,”said Anne Nardi, interim dean of the College of Human Resources and Education.

“Under the program, classes offered in Beckley, Clarksburg and Morgantown beginning this fall will target teachers who are interested in pursuing careers in education administration,”Dr. Nardi noted,”as well as help meet the states needs for new principals.”

The program also responds to the needs of experienced educators who already have masters degrees but who want to continue their professional growth, she added.

To become certified, students have two options: One is for students with masters degrees; the second is for those without.

• Option Oneoffers a new 18-hour credit program for students who already have a masters of arts degree and three years of teaching experience. The program includes a three-hour internship, which can be completed in three semesters.

• Option Twooffers students the chance to earn a masters of arts degree in educational leadership studies and qualify for administration positions. This 39-credit hour program includes course-work, a three-hour internship and can be completed in six semesters.
  p. “All students participate in an internship,”Nardi explained,”which begins as soon as the student is paired with a current school administrator who serves as a mentor.”

The student is also assigned to a WVU faculty member, she said.

Studentsgoals are to meet performance objectives which are established based on the skills needed by todays schools and administrators. Meeting these objectives is an on-going process that students complete over the course of the program. When done, students turn in internship portfolios.

Classes also are required as part of the program and are either offered one night a week or on weekends, based on student needs.

Although registration is still continuing, more than 100 professionals in the Morgantown, Clarksburg and Beckley areas have expressed an interest in the program. A similar program is already under way in the Northern Panhandle in conjunction with West Liberty State College.

For more information, call the WVU Department of Advanced Educational Studies, 304-293-3707.