Education
Successful completion of the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu Bachelor of Education program enables the Education Division to recommend candidates to the Hawai‘i Teacher Standards Board for a Hawai‘i teaching license in the following areas: Elementary Education, grades K-6; Middle-level Education, grades 6-8, in English, Social Studies, General Science and/or Mathematics; Secondary Education, grades 6-12, in English, Social Studies, Biology, and/or Mathematics. Students have the option to add the field of Special Education to their selected area of concentration. The BEd with concentration in Early Childhood Education is a non-licensure program at this time.
During their program of study, teacher candidates participate in over 630 hours of field-based coursework, including introductory early field experiences, service learning, practicums, and student teaching. Course delivery occurs both on-campus and online, with flexible scheduling that recognizes candidates’ busy family, work, and academic responsibilities. The B.Ed. does not lead to licensure outside of the state of Hawai’i.
Field placements occur in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education schools island-wide and especially in Central and Leeward O‘ahu and on the Wai‘anae Coast. Additionally, teacher candidates complete a minimum of 40 hours of Service Learning that is integrated into required pre-professional courses.
The Education Division is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP, 2020-2027).
Learning Outcomes
Faculty Profiles
Accreditation
Special Education Licensure Pathway
NC SARA EDUC Professional Licensure Disclosure (PDF)
Serving our communities
Completing the UH West Oʻahu teacher preparation program enables graduates to be fully licensed elementary, middle school, and high school teachers.
Education Concentrations
Early Childhood Education
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a concentration in Early Childhood Education program focuses on Early Childhood Education (birth through age eight) from a theoretical orientation and places the field within broader social, historical, political, and cultural contexts. Coursework in other areas of the social sciences provides a foundation for students to critically examine early education and childcare.
Elementary Education
The concentration in Elementary Education, K-6, prepares knowledgeable, skillful, responsive educators for a global society. Studies encompass an innovative, field-based teacher preparation program, as well as public service activities that support West O‘ahu communities in particular.
Middle-Level Education
The concentration in Middle-level Education is designed for teacher candidates who wish to specialize in teaching english language arts, social studies, math, and/or general science in grades 6-8.
Secondary Education
The concentration in Secondary Education is designed for teacher candidates who wish to specialize in teaching english language arts, social studies, math, general science, and/or biology at both middle and high school levels, grades 6-12.