What makes this program special?
The Birth-to-Kindergarten Education program offers students the opportunity to learn with state-of-the-art facilities and resources and to work in school classrooms and with master teachers while building the learning and teaching skills to lead the classrooms of the 21st century. Students have numerous opportunities for field experience working in schools, culminating in a year-long internship which leaves them well-prepared for their own teaching careers. This highly-ranked educational program is fully accredited. WCU’s College of Education and Allied Professions was the 2006 national winner of the Association of Teacher Educators’ Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award. The college also was a 2006 National Finalist for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Christa McAuliffe Award for Excellence in Teacher Education. Students in this program take courses in early childhood development and education, special education, and counseling. The program is interdisciplinary.

Are there any additional admission requirements?
At the time of application for the teacher education program, students must have a GPA of 2.5, must have completed the teacher education interview and have satisfactory scores on the Praxis I and personal interview. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to declare B-K Education as their major as soon as possible to be placed with an adviser in this program.

What scholarship monies are available?
All students are considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of admission. Additional scholarships are available based on FAFSA information. The B-K Education program has numerous and increasing numbers of scholarships available due to the high demand for graduates. Students can apply for scholarships ranging from $500 to full support. The Teaching Fellows program is available to North Carolina residents and provides $26,000 over four years to each participant selected with a requirement to teach in the state’s public schools after graduation for each year of the scholarship. Out-of-state applicants may be eligible for the N.C. Teacher Incentive Program. N.C. TIP participants can attend Western for in-state tuition rates with a requirement to teach in the state for each year of the award after graduation. Other relevant scholarships include: Rachel R. Williams Sweet Scholarship Fund; Myrtle Olivia Whitmire Scholarships; Hoyt and Lora Ponder Scholarship; Mary Morrow/Edna Richards Scholarship; the Elizabeth Thompson Scholarship; Stephanie Ann Stow Scholarship; and the District 1 N.C. retired School Personnel Scholarship. Others designate that recipients must be from a specific county, hold a specific club membership, or meet a variety of other criteria.

What will I be able to do with this degree when I graduate?
With a shortage of teachers in North Carolina and nationwide, graduates with satisfactory course study and intern experiences from the B-K Education program are currently almost assured 100 percent job placement. Many take positions as classroom teachers in public and private schools. There also are positions available for graduates in child development programs and agencies serving children and families.

What are the professors like?
WCU’s B-K Education professors have years of professional experience as classroom teachers, have advanced degrees in education-related areas and maintain teaching licenses in North Carolina. Some courses are co-taught by university faculty and master teachers from the public schools. Faculty members collaborate with public and private schools in the region and also are active in many national professional organizations, as well as serve as advisers to clubs and service projects. All students are assigned a B-K Education faculty member who is always available to assist with program sequence advising, study advising, career planning and general questions.

What are the students in the program doing?
Senior-year students are required to complete a two-semester long internship in classrooms and schools within the region. B-K Education majors also have two career fairs on campus where they can discuss career options with school district recruiters.

Will I be able to participate in internships, clubs and other extracurricular opportunities?
B-K Education students may join CHILD, which has education-related group activities throughout the year.

Contact

Dr. Tom Oren
E-mail: oren@email.wcu.edu
phone: 828-227-3290
Visit the Birth-to-Kindergarten Education Program Website