This baccalaureate program delivered through Distance Education has been established as a transfer program for students who have completed the first two years of coursework (freshman and sophomore) in-person or online at UH West Oʻahu, from a community college in the UH system, or from an accredited institution outside of the UH System.

The UH West Oʻahu Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree with a concentration in Middle-level Education, grades 6-8, 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 Oʻahu communities. Middle-Level areas of concentration are designed for teacher candidates who wish to specialize in teaching English language arts, social studies, math, and/or general science in grades 6-8. A strong liberal arts curriculum supports candidates' excellent knowledge of content in the chosen discipline.

Throughout their program of study, teacher candidates participate in over 630 hours of field-based coursework, including the early field experience, service learning, Introduction to Middle-level and Secondary Education, and two practicums taken concurrently with content methods courses. The program culminates in a 15-week, full-time professional student teaching semester in the chosen field. Field placements occur in grades 6-8 in middle schools island-wide and especially in Central and Leeward Oʻahu and on the Waiʻanae Coast. Faculty deliver courses on-campus and online, while maintaining flexible scheduling to accommodate teacher candidates' busy lives.

Upon successful of their program of study, the Education Division recommends the B.Ed graduate for licensure by the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board. UH West Oʻahu Middle-level Education courses have not been determined to meet specific requirements for licensure or licensure preparation in states other than Hawaiʻi. If you intend to work in another state, we recommend contacting the state to find out what their certification requirements are and if you can work there. Online courses and programs at UH West Oʻahu do not lead to teacher certification. However, all of our courses and programs are fully accredited and course credits may transfer to university programs that may lead to state professional licensure. Additional licensure information can be found on the NC-SARA webpage.