University of Wyoming Logo

Teaching Elementary School

Graduate Certificate

Apply Now Visit Campus

Teacher working with student

Continue Your Education at UW

All it takes is a few semesters to complete UW’s graduate certificate in Teaching Elementary School.*

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 three semesters.

*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.

Request Info

Program Details

Tuition and Fees

Please visit our cost of attendance page

Program Requirements

Curriculum & Courses

Department

College of Education
Certificates & Endorsements in Education

About Teaching Elementary School

Teacher building blocks with student

The UW teaching elementary school certificate prepares you to teach grades K-6 with a Wyoming teaching certificate. Additionally, 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 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.

Need to speak with our program coordinator?
Get in touch with us today!

Admission Requirements

  1. Completed bachelor's degree from regionally-accredited college/university
  2. Completed additional content courses, as required for the area in which licensure is sought
  3. Completed prerequisite undergraduate courses, as follows:
    • EDST 2450: Foundations of Development & Learning (3 credits)
    • EDEX 2484: Teaching with Technology (3 credits)
  4. Possess a current Wyoming Substitute Teaching Certificate
  5. A passing Praxis exam (also required for methods courses)

How To Apply
Please visit our program admission webpage for more details.

Principal working with two students
Students working with Mursion

What Can You Do with a Teaching Elementary School Graduate Certificate?

The UW graduate certificate in teaching elementary school prepares you for K-6 Wyoming state licensure and to teach children during those critical years as they learn to read, write, master arithmetic and learn about the history and culture of their country and region.

Elementary Education Careers

UW School of Teacher Education graduates hold titles such as:

  • Reading specialist
  • Elementary education teacher
  • Education consultant
  • District elementary literacy coach
  • Elementary lead teaching partner
  • Continuous improvement supervisor
Teaching reading with student

 

In a recent survey of UW education graduates, 85% of respondents reported working as classroom teachers.

 

mountain logo

Teaching Elementary School Graduate Certificate Program Highlights

As a University of Wyoming pre-service elementary education teacher, you will be studying in one of the nation’s preeminent programs. UW’s elementary education program is nationally ranked, additionally you will be learning from faculty—all of whom have been classroom teachers—who are highly regarded in their fields.

Here are some reasons to choose the University of Wyoming for your elementary education studies:

Accredited

The UW College of Education is nationally accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

Faculty

Learn from award-winning professors, all of whom have served as K-12 classroom teachers.

Practica

Complete multiple practicums prior to beginning your student teaching. This will give you a firm foundation upon which to build as a student teacher.

 

 

Work Towards A Master's

Apply your coursework towards a master of arts degree in education with concentrations in curriculum and instruction or literacy education.

 

 

Grant Support

Consider investigating grant support such as the Wyoming Interns to Teacher Scholars (WITS) scholars’ program that targeted to those with expertise in science and technology.

Literacy Research Center and Clinic

Gain experience in this on-campus clinic, which offers free or low-cost assessment and tutoring to Wyoming school-aged children.

Student Teaching

Student teaching placements are set early, so you spend plenty of practicum hours in your school setting before collaboratively teaching with a supportive mentor. There are also options to take your student teaching abroad.

University of Wyoming Lab School

Spend time learning and observing in UW’s very own K-8 public school on campus. This student-centered environment provides you with your own learning laboratory for practicums and student teaching.

Scholarships

Take advantage of UW’s College of Education graduate scholarships that include the following:

Dr. Joseph I. Stepans Excellence in Education Scholarship
Elnora Brooks Memorial Scholarship
John K. Corbett Memorial Scholarship
Leona S. and Jeanette Heptner Scholarship
Margaret "Peggy" Cooney Scholarship

UW Conferences

Participate in UW’s annual education-focused conferences which expose teachers statewide to the latest research and best practices in education law and policy, literacy education, English as a second language and dual language immersion.

Travel Grants

Take advantage of travel grants that cover some of your travel costs associated with attending or presenting at professional conferences. Additional funding may also be available from the dean’s office.

 

This program has been amazing for me. The faculty have been the most helpful and inspiring teachers I have ever had. I can confidently say that I will graduate from this program feeling fully prepared and ready to be the best I can be as an educator!

- William Burns, ’20

Related Programs

If you’re thinking about a graduate certificate as a pathway to teacher licensure, here is another program to consider:

Apply to UW
Visit Campus
Request Info