Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Elementary School Teachers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at West Virginia University, West Virginia State University, Marshall, and West Liberty University.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider West Virginia State University, Concord, Ohio Valley University, and Fairmont State.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Salem International University, University of Charleston, Mountain State University, and West Virginia Wesleyan College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Mountain State University, WVU Parkersburg, Marshall, and Bluefield State.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Salem International University, Bethany, Davis & Elkins, and Ohio Valley University.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Davis & Elkins, Bethany, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and Alderson Broaddus.
Excellence
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Ohio Valley University.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Alderson Broaddus, Davis & Elkins, Bethany, and West Virginia Wesleyan College.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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West Virginia State University • Institute, WV
Studying Education (completion in 2009)
• 7/3/2011
"I have almost no complaints about my educational experiences at West Virginia State University. I was well prepared for my teaching career."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | West Virginia State University is a wonderful school. The education program is one of the best in the country and will prepare you well for a career in education. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | During my last year at WVSU the education department was reviewed by NCATE. Not only did the department score very high, they were used as an example for education programs at other universities. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I have no complaints about my program of study. I was well prepared for a career in education. |
| Instruction | 10 | The curriculum of my program of study was very relevant and of high quality. Upon entering the education field, I was very prepared for the requirements and demands. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The expectations of the education department at WVSU are very high. This is a very challenging program and requires a high level of commitment. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Many of my general education classes, such as English and Math, were very book learning oriented. However, very few of my education courses were. I was required to complete over 400 hours of field experience in which a book was never used or needed. My teaching experiences came from actually teaching in a classroom. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | Class schedule flexibility is somewhat lacking. Many required classes are only offered once a year, but it was nearly impossible to find out which classes were offered once a year and in which semester they were available. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | I never had a problem obtaining any resources or assistance I needed while at WVSU. Professors always made themselves available and there was free tutoring for almost any subject on campus. In addition,the library made all resources available online, making it easier to complete research or obtain needed materials. |
| Social Life | 5 | I was a non-traditional student, so I did not involve myself in many of these opportunities. However, WVSU offers many organized groups in which anyone can become involved. |
| Placement Services | 10 | The career services department was very helpful in my career search. At any time I needed my records sent to a potential employer, they did so in a timely and efficient manner. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I have never contacted WVSU's alumni network. In fact, I'm not sure there is such a network available. |
West Liberty • West Liberty ,, WV
Studying Special Education (completion in 1996)
• 7/13/2011
"My school allowed me to learn at my pace and my family's pace. If I had a problem I could talk to any of my professors and they would help me."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I feel I received the best education from my school. I have talked to other teachers that have graduated from there and they seem to have the same feelings as me. They taught me what I need to know and if I had trouble , then who I could get help from. I would do it again if I had go. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | I have had a few student teachers come to my room from my old school and they have been very good and prepared for the room of children I had. |
| Program Quality | 10 | My school has great teachers and professors . They taught me everything I needed to know to start my job and do it the best way I know how. Plus, teaching is an ongoing learning cycle. I learn things everyday through my kids and their outlook on life and family. |
| Instruction | 10 | I have learned so much in my college studies. The instruction was top notch, but in my teaching field some times it is just on the job learning. Not all kids are the same and not everything is in the text books . |
| How Difficult | 7 | I was raising my own kids while going to school it was hard, but very worthwhile. the challenge was there but I overcame it and studied very hard to get the grades I wanted so I could get into the school I had my sights on. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I am more of a hands on learner but the book learner was very important. I had to see the kids in front of me in order to get the idea in some of my psych classes. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I was able to take evening classes and some weekend classes. I did work part time and was a mom, so that really helped me . |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The libraries were great. big, lighted and quiet to get my work done. My advisers were very helpful and did what they could do. Usually above and beyond since I was going to school , a mom and working. |
| Social Life | 7 | I really didn't spend to much time on social events, I was barely making it as a wife and mom.... but from what my friends have said, they had fun and enjoyed it. |
| Placement Services | 8 | Job placement is nice. You do have to student teach to get your feet wet, It is hard but that will be the decision breaker for you if the teaching field is really where you want to be. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | I do not actually talk to anyone I went to school with. But from what I hear it is good. I live to far away to visit . |
Marshall University • Huntington, WV
Studying Health Education K-12 And Specific Learning Disabilities 9-12 (completion in 2010)
• 8/5/2011
"I feel like I was pretty satisfied. I enjoyed being a student actually more than I like being a teacher... I would recommend the school and the career. I hope to find a teaching job that has health insurance and all the other added benefits and I will be even more satisfied with the result of my education."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is located in a college town. I think that is nice because essentially everything centers around the University. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | We always thought we were going to a school with a good reputation for preparing educators. It was one of the reasons a lot of students came from other towns to work on their B.A.'s. |
| Program Quality | 8 | |
| Instruction | 5 | I loved being a student, but I don't really feel like my education REALLY prepared me for the REAL world. I would have liked to have had more time being mentored in an actual classroom. |
| How Difficult | 7 | There was a ton of research papers and several group projects each semester. I was teaching at the time as well as going to school, so it was tough at times to stay afloat. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Very book learning and Professor directed. I took a lot of notes and studied them intensely. Again, I wish I had more time out in the field. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | Classes were usually at night once I was into the masters program although there were classes during days and summers as well. I would say that is flexible. Once I attended a weekend class that lasted ALL weekend for three weekends straight and we got credit for an entire course. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | One of the things I love about the University I went to is that everything is within walking distance. It was perfect in that respect. |
| Social Life | 10 | We got together to work out at the gym and always during football season. Everyone knew where to meet up with their friends to tailgate. |
| Placement Services | 4 | I did not give this a good rating mainly because I didn't utilize the career services and I don't know anyone who did. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | We stay in touch a lot through Facebook and letters. I am on an email list as well, plus I stay in touch with fellow students because it is my hometown. |
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