About Teaching Elementary School
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.
Admission Requirements
- Completed bachelor's degree from regionally-accredited college/university
- Completed additional content courses, as required for the area in which licensure is sought
- Completed prerequisite undergraduate courses, as follows:
- EDST 2450: Foundations of Development & Learning (3 credits)
- EDEX 2484: Teaching with Technology (3 credits)
- Possess a current Wyoming Substitute Teaching Certificate
- A passing Praxis exam (also required for methods courses)
How To Apply
Please visit our program admission webpage for more details.
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.
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
In a recent survey of UW education graduates, 85% of respondents reported working as classroom teachers.
Earning an elementary school teaching certificate offers a direct path to becoming a licensed K–6 teacher in Wyoming. It equips you with the skills, strategies and classroom experience needed to confidently lead your own classroom. At the University of Wyoming, the certificate may also count toward a Master of Arts in Education, giving you the option to continue your studies and expand your career opportunities even further. Whether you're just starting out or making a career change, this program helps you take the next step in becoming a professional educator.
To apply for the certificate, you must hold a bachelor's degree from regionally-accredited college/university. Please review additional requirements on our admissions website.
Investing in the Future of Elementary Education
Meet Dr. Alison Mercier, Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at the University of Wyoming. With 16 years of experience teaching in urban, high-needs schools and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, Alison brings deep expertise and passion to the field. In this video, she shares her perspective on the evolving world of elementary education and how UW’s graduate certificate programs are designed to support both new and experienced teachers in growing their skills and advancing their careers.
"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