Degree Programs

The School of Education at Wichita State University offers both undergraduate and graduate programs for those wanting to pursue a teaching career or to advance their knowledge of curriculum and instruction. Students who complete licensure or endorsement programs in the School of Education are eligible to apply for Kansas teaching licenses and/or endorsements. 

Statement on 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v). Wichita State University’s teacher education programs are accredited at the national, regional, and state level. Upon completion of all courses and program assessments, graduates of these programs will be eligible to apply for the Kansas initial teaching license for their program of study after they successfully complete the Kansas teacher licensure exams required by the State of Kansas for application for a teacher license or endorsement.  Wichita State has made no determination if this program will lead to licensure in any state other than Kansas in which a graduate may seek licensure. Because every state has different requirements that may change frequently, we recommend checking with the state education department for the state in question to determine current requirements. The nonprofit organization Education Commission of the States has compiled Teacher License Reciprocity State Profiles that provide additional information about the teacher license reciprocity agreements for each state in a searchable format. Kansas Teacher Reciprocity Agreements provides a list of member states of the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement who have signed reciprocity agreements with Kansas.


Out of State Licensure Requirements

Teacher Education

Statement on 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v). Wichita State University’s teacher education programs are accredited at the national, regional, and state level. Upon completion of all courses and program assessments, graduates of these programs will be eligible to apply for the Kansas initial teaching license for their program of study after they successfully complete the Kansas teacher licensure exams required by the State of Kansas for application for a teacher license or endorsement.  Wichita State has made no determination if this program will lead to licensure in any state other than Kansas in which a graduate may seek licensure. Because every state has different requirements that may change frequently, we recommend checking with the state education department for the state in question to determine current requirements. The nonprofit organization Education Commission of the States has compiled Teacher License Reciprocity State Profiles that provide additional information about the teacher license reciprocity agreements for each state in a searchable format. Kansas Teacher Reciprocity Agreements provides a list of member states of the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement who have signed reciprocity agreements with Kansas.

School Counseling

Wichita State University's M.Ed. in Counseling is designed to prepare students to meet the requirements of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) for Licensed School Counselors or Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) for Licensed Professional Counselors. The program coursework of the School Counseling track prepares a student for the PRAXIS licensure exams required by the State of Kansas for application for school counseling licensure. Completion of the PRAXIS licensure exams with a passing score is required by the State of Kansas for a candidate applying for school counseling licensure. The program coursework of the Clinical Mental Health and Sports Counseling tracks prepares a student for the National Counselor Exam (NCE) required by the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Department for Licensed Professional Counselors. Completion of the NCE with a passing score is required by the BSRB.

Students who wish to pursue counseling licensure in a state other than Kansas are encouraged to visit the following websites https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements (Clinical mental health counseling); https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/careers-roles/state-certification-requirements (school counseling); and to contact the licensure board in the state in which they intend to practice to determine specific state requirements that may vary from Kansas requirements.

School Psychology

For full licensure in school psychology, candidates must apply for a professional school license, register for a 4-credit-hour postspecialist internship, and complete the full-time, one-year internship in a public school. Students who wish to pursue school psychology licensure in a state other than Kansas are encouraged to visit the following website: https://www.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/state-school-psychology-credentialing-requirements and to contact the licensure board in the state in which they intend to practice to determine specific state requirements that may vary from Kansas requirements.

Building Leadership

The program coursework prepares a student for the PRAXIS licensure exam required by the State of Kansas for application for Building Leadership endorsement. Completion of the PRAXIS licensure exam with a passing score is required by the State of Kansas for a candidate applying for Building Leadership endorsement. Students who wish to pursue school leadership licensure in a state other than Kansas are encouraged to visit the following website: https://www.ecs.org/50-state-comparison-school-leader-certification-and-preparation-programs/ and to contact the licensure board in the state in which they intend to practice to determine specific state requirements that may vary from Kansas requirements.

District Leadership

This program provides an opportunity for potential candidates who currently hold a professional building leadership license to participate in advanced graduate training that leads to positions as a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, or Special Education Director.  Out of state applicants are encouraged to check with their state licensure departments to ensure reciprocity with Kansas licensure prior to enrollment. Throughout the state of Kansas, there are many completers of the Wichita State program who are employed in these professional roles. In addition to the prescribed coursework of five seminars and a year-long internship working with a practicing professional, candidates must take and submit a passing score on the School Superintendent Assessment (SSA). The SSA is based on standards adopted by the Kansas State Department of Education which include knowledge, performance, and dispositions necessary for a district-level school leadership position.

Students who wish to pursue district leadership licensure in a state other than Kansas are encouraged to visit the following website: https://www.ecs.org/50-state-comparison-school-leader-certification-and-preparation-programs/ and to contact the licensure board in the state in which they intend to practice to determine specific state requirements that may vary from Kansas requirements.

Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs

Art Education
From crayons to computers, learn how to energize today’s youth to become tomorrow’s artists. Our curriculum integrates Kansas state licensure for Pre-kindergarten to 12th grade and equips students with leading instructional methods and motivational strategies. 

Learn more about Art Education at WSU.
Biology
Wichita State offers degrees in both middle level (5 - 8 grade) and secondary (6 - 12) science education.

Learn more about Science Education at WSU. 
Early Childhood Unified

 The Early Childhood Unified (ECU) Program is designed to prepare teachers of young children (birth through grade 3). 

Learn more about Early Childhood Unified at WSU. 

Earth and Space Science
Wichita State offers degrees in both middle level (5 - 8 grade) and secondary (6 - 12) science education.

Learn more about Science Education at WSU. 
Elementary Education

Learn to teach in the elementary schools through a rich, field-based teacher preparation program at Wichita State University.

Learn more about the Elementary Education program at WSU. 

English Language Arts

The Wichita State University English Education Program prepares highly qualified English teachers.

Learn more about English Language Arts Education at WSU. 

History/ Government

Share your love for history and political science as a teacher.

Learn more about the History/ Government Education program at WSU. 

Mathematics

Preparation for highly qualified mathematics teachers begins at Wichita State University.

Learn more about Math Education at WSU.

Music Education

Wichita State offer a degree in PreK-12 Music Education with emphasis in: 

  • Instrumental
  • Keyboard
  • Special Music Education
  • Vocal

Learn more about Music Education at WSU. 

Physical Education

 Turn your passion for healthy lifestyles and working with kids into a career with a degree in physical education from Wichita State. 

Learn more about the Physical Education program at WSU. 

Physics
Wichita State offers degrees in both middle level (5 - 8 grade) and secondary (6 - 12) science education.

Learn more about Science Education at WSU. 
Science
Wichita State offers degrees in both middle level (5 - 8 grade) and secondary (6 - 12) science education.

Learn more about Science Education at WSU. 
Teacher Apprentice Program™ (TAP)
Go from Para Educator to Teacher of Record in a shortened time with Wichita State University's Teacher Apprentice Program™.

Learn more about the Teacher Apprentice Program™ (TAP) at WSU. 
World Languages 

The PreK-12 World Languages Program at Wichita State University is a 4-year program designed to prepare teachers of Spanish and French to teach in PreK-12 schools.

Learn more about World Languages Education at WSU. 


Graduate Degrees

Graduate students wishing to advance their knowledge, skills and expertise may pursue a Masters degree, certificate program or non degree elective courses and workshops. 

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Learning and Instructional Design

The Master of Education in Learning and Instructional Design is ideal for education and professional development career advancement for those who are engaged in the K-12 teaching and workplace training of adult learners.

Learn more about the LID program. 

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education

The Online Master of Education in Special Education Program at Wichita State University will prepare you to make a positive impact on students with mild-to-moderate cross-categorical disabilities. Choose from three program emphasis: high incidence, low incidence and gifted.

Learn more about Special Education at WSU.[BROKEN LINK] 


Alternative Certification 

The School of Education houses a nationally recognized Alternative Certification Program for professionals wishing to gain licensure in Secondary Education and an innovative Early Childhood Unified Residency program for professionals interested in licensure in Birth – Grade 3.

The Alternative Certification Program as WSU allows individuals who possess an undergraduate degree to complete certification requirements while being employed by a school district or in one of the WSU partnership sites.

Early Childhood Unified Residency

The Early Childhood Unified (ECU) Residency program is available for students with a previous bachelor's degree who wish to be licensed in birth - 3rd grade. 

Learn more about the ECU Residency program at WSU. 

Transition to Teaching

The Transition to Teaching (T2T) program at WSU is a two-year alternative licensure program for those with a previous bachelor's degree.

Learn more about the T2T program at WSU. 

Special Education High Incidence Alternative Certification (Pilot Program)

The High Incidence Alternative Certification (Pilot Program) program provides individuals who have at least one year of experience as a paraprofessional and a Bachelors degree outside the field of education with a route to becoming a special education teacher of record.

Learn more about the High Incidence Alternative Certification program.


Graduate Certificates 
Graduate certificates are awarded to students who desire interdisciplinary course work to complement their graduate degree program or to students who, for academic, personal, or professional reasons, desire graduate-level education not leading to a graduate degree. School of Education offers three graduate certificates.

Online Learning & Educational Technology (OLET)

To answer the needs of learners and educators that keep changing by the continuous advancement of Information and Communication Technology, this program offers learning opportunities for online course design and development and cutting edge educational technologies to educators, trainers and professional developers who wish to advance their knowledge of online teaching/learning, educational technology integration, and use of technology for communication and professional productivity within any educational situations. 

Learn more about the Online Learning & Educational Technology certificate.

iSTEM
The interdisciplinary Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (iSTEM) education graduate certificate is designed for STEM educators and graduate students interested in designing and/or delivering an interdisciplinary STEM curriculum. 
Literacy
The graduate certificate in Literacy provides graduate level studies in literacy for educators who wish to advance their knowledge and skills of teaching literacy in the classroom, and integrate literacy into all content areas.