Over 140 years ago, William Woods University began training teachers. And, that foundation for excellence in pedagogy has grown stronger with each passing decade. When you study to become a teacher at William Woods, you’ll join the company of Missouri’s leading educational professionals — current and throughout history.
Answer your calling to serve and educate future generations by earning a degree in Education from William Woods University.
As a prospective teacher, you will be immersed in a learning environment focused on theory, knowledge, experience and reflection. We believe that student-centered coursework, application of learning in educational settings, group-based activity and the ability to reflect on one’s practice are the essential disciplines for developing you into the kind of high-quality teacher needed to boost student achievement in our state and elsewhere.
We base our Teacher Education Program on the belief that all students deserve to have effective, caring educators who are knowledgeable in content, management, interpersonal skills, and the teaching/learning process. When you qualify for this program, you will receive the guidance and mentoring you need to follow the path to certification.
The School of Education at William Woods University is excited to provide preservice teachers with Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training. For over 40 years CPI training has been relied on by schools, hospitals, and other facilities where staff regularly manage assaultive or disruptive behavior. CPI remains one of the most globally recognized and trusted names in verbal de-escalation.
While earning CPI certification, William Woods preservice teachers will develop decision-making skills that help ensure the Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security℠ of their students. This includes recognizing the stages of an escalating crisis and learning evidence-based techniques to appropriately de-escalate stressful situations in the classroom. The School of Education at William Woods University is proud to be one of the only teacher education programs in the nation to offer CPI certification as part of their program, and believes that the training will help students develop valuable skills as they prepare for high impact careers in the field of education.
The degree choices and concentrations at William Woods University will equip you for teaching at every level. They will also prepare you for further career advancement through our graduate level master, specialist and doctorate degree programs.
“Learning doesn’t stop after you leave the doors of the education department. Professors still keep in contact with me about my teaching styles and new techniques to use in my classroom.”
— Shannon Barnard, B.S. in Elementary Education, M.Ed. in Education Administration, ‘12 elementary teacher at Jefferson City Public School, Jefferson City, Mo.
“We have some phenomenal teachers. Not only are they knowledgeable and supportive, but they also have a broad background of teaching experiences.”
— Sarah Zolinski, B.S. in Elementary Education and B.S. in Equestrian Science, ’10 and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, ’12
Earn state teaching certification for grades 1-6 in all subjects. And take advantage of adding on an early-childhood endorsement.
Prepare to teach grades 5-9 in the state of Missouri with the choice of one of four concentrations: Social Science, English, Math or Science.
Graduate ready to teach grades 9-12, and earn a certification to teach Biology, English, Social Science, Physical Education, Speech and Theatre, or Art.
This program is for students who wish to pursue careers in the field of education that do not require teacher certification.
Learn to teach students with special needs in a way that addresses their specific needs, including students with learning or developmental disabilities, communication or behavioral disorders.
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