The College of Education offers several different certificate programs for its students. These certifications are voluntary. These certificates do not lead to licensure and do not guarantee employment. For any certificate questions please contact the College of Education at edquest@uwyo.edu or (307) 766-3145. For licensure information and certificate information please see the following links below.
Educational Leadership Licensure
Community College Leadership - Graduate Certification
In many states, community colleges are the lifeblood of a regional higher education system. Not only do they provide local access to college-level courses, they also serve as a locus for workforce training and community development. The UW Community College Leadership Certificate is an online, 15-credit program to help you advance into community college management and leadership roles. Whether you are already employed by a community college or seeking a community college-related career, UW’s online community college leadership program offers a strong background in leadership studies along with courses that address the pressing issues modern community colleges and students face. Please see the link below for more information.
https://www.uwyo.edu/uw/degree-programs/community-college-leadership-certificate.html
Secondary Ed Computer Science Endorsement Certificate
The College of Education offers courses that lead to an endorsement (grades 6-12) from the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board in computer science. Students can also receive a minor in computer science; see information in the College of Engineering and Applied Science section of this catalog for more information about the computer science minor. The endorsement consists of 15 Credits (novice/intermediate) or 16 (intermediate/advanced) with an option to take all 20 hours for a computer science minor. It is recommended that students interested in obtaining the computer science minor apply to the program by their freshman year or the beginning of the sophomore year. Students are encouraged to examine course prerequisites. Please see the link below for more information.
This certificate program is approved by the Department of Education as a Title IV eligible program. This means that we can provide federal aid to eligible students in this program.
https://acalogcatalog.uwyo.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=4&poid=1259
Early Childhood Development Director Certificate - Program is on temporary hiatus at this time
Individuals who hold Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education,
Early Childhood Special
Education, Family and Consumer Sciences/Professional Child Development, or Child Development
are
automatically eligible for the Early Childhood Program Director’s Certificate upon
providing a transcript for
content analysis, proof of background check, and proof of First Aid/CPR certification.
Individuals whose
education and experience fall elsewhere on the requirements chart should submit a
transcript, proof of
background check, and proof of First Aid/CPR certification and resume including proof
of work experience with children aged 0-5 in a child development/early childhood program.
In addition to the above documents,
individuals choosing to challenge the college course requirements must submit a portfolio
for review which
will be evaluated to determine if the individual has demonstrated the core early childhood
competencies
inherent in the requirements. Please see the link below for more information.
This certificate program is approved by the Department of Education as a Title IV eligible program. This means that we can provide federal aid to eligible students in this program.
Early Childhood Birth to Five Endorsement Certificate
The University of Wyoming's Colleges of Education offers an interdisciplinary early childhood birth to five program. The B-5 program prepares educators to teach children from infancy to age five. It is based upon National Association for the Education of Young Children initial licensure standards that are used by states to develop their courses for teacher education programs. Those who complete the licensure are prepared to teach infants, toddlers and preschoolers. This program addresses the statewide need for certified early childhood educators to work in Wyoming's child care and education programs, including Head Start programs, state funded preschool programs, public school preschool programs, and private preschool and child care programs. This license does not certify one to teach in public school kindergarten programs or primary grades. A different early childhood endorsement for birth to age eight, or grade three, already exists as a dual endorsement option with elementary education certification. A unique aspect of this early childhood birth to five program is it's flexibility to accommodate both undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students across the state who are work or are working fields related to early childhood education. This licensure program is available to undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students, majoring in or holding degrees in fields related to early childhood education. The B-5 initial licensure program is available on campus at the University of Wyoming and through distance education. Students complete six courses and a 6 credit hour supervised internship for the license. Each student must demonstrate competency for each NAEYC professional standards in competencies needed for PTSB licensure. The B-5 licensure is available to 1) undergraduate students minoring in early childhood education with majors related fields to early childhood education. 2) It is also available for those graduates with a bachelor's degree in an approved related field (nursing, communication disorders, social work, and child psychology). Please see the link below for more information.
Early Childhood Birth to Eighth Grade Endorsement Certificate
The early childhood birth to eight endorsement is available to undergraduate students enrolled in the Elementary Education program and working towards a minor toward early childhood education or post-graduate students with a degree in Elementary Education and a teaching license. Please note: This program is not for those who completed a degree in another field. Those students should apply first to the the Early Childhood Birth to Five program for more information. In addition, students must complete the 15 hour residency/student teaching in a primary grade (K-3) setting or work in a primary K-3 setting. Please see the link below for more information on teaching licensure and the certificate.
Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement Certificate
The University of Wyoming is dedicated to offering high quality graduate programs that will provide students with the necessary skills to become educational leaders within their areas of specialization. The university is pleased to offer an innovative post-baccalaureate program in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). Drawing from the expertise in four colleges (Education, Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, and Agriculture), an interdisciplinary program has been developed. It ensures that graduates will demonstrate the highest competence in working with young children with disabilities/delays and their families. This program is competency based. It is drawn from the State of Wyoming teacher certification standards for early childhood special education and from the Council of Exceptional Children Division of Early Childhood's national recommendations. Those with a baccalaureate degree in education, family and consumer sciences, developmental psychology, communication disorders, nursing or social work are eligible for admission to the certification program. Please note: This is a pre-kindergarten certification program and does not prepare candidates to work with kindergarten and primary grade students. Please see the link below for more information
English as a Second Language - Graduate Certification
If you are curious about the world, the growing number of English Language Learners in your classroom represents a tremendous opportunity to connect with students from all over the planet as well as acquire skills that will help you differentiate lessons for both your ELL and domestic students. The graduate English as a Second Language certificate at UW is a 15-credit at-a-distance/on campus program that allows you to earn an ESL certificate, whether you are a preservice or in-service teacher—or in another field where ESL skills might prove useful such as speech pathology. The certificate program can lead to K-12 ESL Endorsement from the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board to add to you elementary or secondary teaching license. This additional credential will expand your marketability as an educator who is an expert in ESL teaching and learning. Undergraduate students can take these courses as electives to add the endorsement to their future teaching license. As a UW English as a Second Language student, you will learn about cultural differences, the theories behind second language acquisition and methods for teaching ESL while also gaining first-hand experience observing and teaching ESL lessons. The program culminates with an internship that will give you experience working with ESL learners in PK-12 classrooms and adult learning settings. Read our FAQ if you have questions. Please see the link below for more information.
This certificate program is approved by the Department of Education as a Title IV eligible program. This means that we can provide federal aid to eligible students in this program.
https://www.uwyo.edu/uw/degree-programs/english-second-language-certificate.html
Online Instruction - Graduate Certification
Whether you are a content provider looking to add additional tools to your skill set or a teacher interested in exploring the latest and greatest ways to teach remotely, the UW online instruction graduate certificate program will give you the knowledge and skills necessary to build compelling courses. The Online Instruction Certificate at the University of Wyoming is a four-class, online program that will ground you in the theory and best practices of online education while also giving you experiences solving problems and designing educational solutions using current technologies. Use this post-baccalaureate program to begin amassing credits for a graduate degree in learning, design and technology or to jumpstart new opportunities in online pedagogy and instructional design. This is training you can apply in a variety of sectors and industries including PK-12 education, business, the military, healthcare, government agencies and media. Please see the link below for more information.
https://www.uwyo.edu/uw/degree-programs/online-instruction-certificate.html
Play Therapy Certificate
The University of Wyoming Play Therapy certificate program will ensure you will have the skills required to decode that language and help the youngest and most vulnerable regain their voice. Those who have completed the program can apply to the Association for Play Therapy (APT) to become certified to provide their clients with additional services to help children better express what is troubling them when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings. The online post-master's certificate program at UW was designed to meet the 150 clock training hours required by the Association for Play Therapy* to become a Registered Play Therapist or a School-Based Registered Play Therapist. The program is designed for completion in one academic year with cohort groups beginning annually in the fall semester.
*APT awards the certification and students must are responsible for meeting their additional requirements in order to gain the credential. Please see the link below for more information.
https://www.uwyo.edu/uw/degree-programs/play-therapy-certificate.html
Literacy Graduate Certificate
Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a way that allows us to learn about our world and communicate effectively. Literacy represents a central area of instruction in K-12 schooling and it is widely recognized that proficiency in literacy is critical to a student's long-term academic and career success. The UW Graduate Certificate in Literacy serves Wyoming teachers and recent College of Education graduates who wish to gain the reading endorsement from the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB). Students enrolled in the literacy program will select one of three options for endorsement, K-6 level, 7-12 level and K-12 level. This program is delivered entirely online and can completed while teaching full-time. Students in this program can expand their marketability by gaining the initial endorsement and apply coursework towards a master’s or doctoral degrees to further increase their pay and job prospects. Please see the link below for more information.
This certificate program is approved by the Department of Education as a Title IV eligible program. This means that we can provide federal aid to eligible students in this program.
https://www.uwyo.edu/uw/degree-programs/literacy-endorsement-certificate.html
Teaching Elementary School - Graduate Certification
If you hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, you qualify to take advantage of the alternative licensure pathway provided through Wyoming's Professional Teaching Standards Board. This means that you can complete your requirements, including student teaching, to become a licensed K-6 elementary school teacher in about four semesters. The UW teaching elementary school certificate prepares you to teach grades K-6 with a Wyoming teaching certificate. Plus, you can apply 12 credit hours toward a UW master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. As a student in this certificate program, you will study educational theory and best practices while also acquiring hands-on teaching experience through practicums and student teaching. From spending time observing in classrooms and writing lesson plans to student teaching, you will be prepared to take your place in your own classroom, making a difference in students’ lives.
*Depending on your undergraduate transcripts, you may be required to take some prerequisite professional education courses and possible content courses prior to beginning your graduate certificate studies. Please see the link below for more information.
This certificate program is approved by the Department of Education as a Title IV eligible program. This means that we can provide federal aid to eligible students in this program.
https://www.uwyo.edu/uw/degree-programs/teaching-elementary-school.html
Teaching Secondary Content - Graduate Certification
At the University of Wyoming, you can complete UW’s graduate certificate in Teaching Secondary Content in three semesters including student teaching.Those who hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university can take advantage of the alternative teaching licensure pathway provided through Wyoming's Professional Teaching Standards Board by completing the UW Teaching Secondary Content Graduate certificate. The UW teaching secondary content certificate prepares you to qualify for a Wyoming teaching certificate and begin your career as a middle or high school teacher. (Your coursework can also be applied—12 credit hours—to a UW master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.) In this three-semester program offered during consecutive summer, fall and spring terms, you will acquire a foundation in educational theory and teaching methods, while also gaining real-world teaching experience through practicums and student teaching. Even better, you will be learning in small classes from faculty that were former K-12 teachers, who know what it’s like to face a classroom for the first time. In this personalized learning environment, you will discover your own voice as a teacher while also learning the theories and best practices that will make you an inspiring educator.
*You will need to satisfy prerequisite education courses and possible content courses before beginning your graduate certificate studies. A subject area praxis exam is also required before your student teaching residency. Please see the link below for more information.
This certificate program is approved by the Department of Education as a Title IV eligible program. This means that we can provide federal aid to eligible students in this program.
https://www.uwyo.edu/uw/degree-programs/teaching-secondary-content-certificate.html
School District Superintendent Endorsement - Graduate Certification
Part visionary, part politician and part administrator, superintendents are the de facto CEOs of school districts, and as such can make a tremendous difference in district health. Whether you are looking to lead in an urban setting or rural district, UW’s online School District Superintendent Certificate program offers both the educational background and skills necessary to develop the strategic direction and operational systems to tackle the multilayered challenges confronting America’s public educational system. As a school district’s chief executive officer, you will serve a wide variety of roles from representing your district in public to working with district principals and the school board to foster student success. To help equip you for the diverse responsibilities superintendents face, the UW School District Superintendent Certificate program combines a robust curriculum of educational leadership courses with an internship in two districts, so you acquire the executive background and operational skills you’ll need to serve in rural or urban school districts. The program also meets the requirements of the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board for the district superintendent endorsement as well as the superintendency standards of the national Educational Leadership Constituents Council. Please see the link below for more information.
https://www.uwyo.edu/uw/degree-programs/school-district-superintendent-certificate.html
School Principal Endorsement - Graduate Certification
Offered online, UW’s school principal graduate certificate program allows you to acquire the knowledge and experience necessary to earn a Wyoming's Professional Teaching Standards Board endorsement as a K-12 principal while maintaining your current teaching position. UW’s 24-credit hour, online school principal certificate program is designed for licensed teachers who hold a master’s degree in education or related area from an accredited college or university. Utilize your coursework towards further degrees in educational leadership. Emphasizing the study of educational leadership and an in-depth principal internship, the program qualifies you for a Wyoming state K-12 principal endorsement, while also equipping you with skills you can use to drive positive change at the building level. Please see the link below for more information.
This certificate program is approved by the Department of Education as a Title IV eligible program. This means that we can provide federal aid to eligible students in this program.
https://www.uwyo.edu/uw/degree-programs/school-princpal-certificate.html