W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-22 - [Effective 1/11/2025] Salary Classifications for Educators

22.1. State Minimum Salary (W. Va. Code § 18A-4-2). The intent of advanced salary classifications is to recognize educators for completing college/university coursework which will contribute to the improvement of instruction or other services in the public schools.

22.2. Advanced Salary Classification for Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certificates or equivalent. The advanced salary classifications recognized by the WVDE are BA+15, MA, MA+15, MA+30, MA+45 and doctorate. These classifications are defined in section 4.

22.2.a. Coursework. The college/university coursework utilized for advanced salary purposes must be completed at an accredited IHE except coursework completed for a CTE advanced salary classification recognized on a CTE Certificate must have been completed at an accredited IHE. Equivalent certificates are defined in section 4. For purposes of advance salary classification, a foreign credential evaluation report shall include the number of equivalent semester hours completed.

22.2.b. Graduate coursework completed after July 1, 1994, utilized for advance salary purposes shall be: related to the public education program in accordance with section 9.10; included in a degree program in the field of education; content and/or professional education coursework related to the current licensure; content and/or professional education coursework required for an additional endorsement held; professional learning/special topics coursework approved by the WVDE; coursework identified in the personnel evaluation process; coursework related to technology for education; or, coursework related to the mission and goals of the WVBE. Undergraduate level coursework for advanced salary purposes shall be related to public education, as defined in section 4.63.

22.2.b.1. Exception. Graduate coursework for Chief School Business Official and Professional Accountant must be related to the endorsement area on the Professional School/County Business Official certificate.

22.2.c. Duplicate credit is not permitted for advanced salary purposes.

22.2.d. Master's Degree Salary Classification. An individual holding a professional certificate or its equivalent and an MA based on less than 30 semester hours of credit may qualify for the MA+15, MA+30, MA+45 advanced salary classification by completing 15, 30, or 45 semester hours of college/university credit respectively, beyond the degree requirements. All college/university coursework hours verified as completed toward the MA shall be included on the official college/university transcript, or the foreign credential evaluation.

22.2.e. Permits and Salary Class. An individual employed on a permit in a specialization which requires completion of an MA program for the Initial Professional Student Support, Administrative Certificate, or its equivalent is eligible for a BA+15 salary classification upon completion of 15 semester hours of coursework leading to the MA in the specialization the permit is being issued. Advanced degree level recognition is prohibited for permits or authorizations issued (W. Va. Code § 18A-4-1). Permits and authorizations may only be granted the degree required for its issuance. Equivalent certificates are treated as professional equivalents and eligible for an advanced salary classification.

22.2.e.1. Exception for Degree Recognition. An individual holding a Juris Doctor (JD) or Education Specialist (Ed.S) advanced degree equivalent to a master's degree or higher, which is not recognized by the WVBE, may be eligible for the degree level of MA without salary classification to satisfy the degree requirements for the purposes of obtaining a Professional Certificate requiring a master's degree.

22.2.f. Undergraduate Hour Requirements. A candidate may utilize 15 semester hours of undergraduate level credit from an accredited IHE for an advanced salary classification if the hours were related to the public education in accordance with section 9.10.f. Undergraduate level coursework shall be completed after the issuance of the specialization on the Professional Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certificate. Undergraduate level coursework must be earned on, or after July 1, 1984, and after the issuance of the Initial Professional Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certificate, to be eligible for an advanced salary classification.

22.2.g. Effective Date. The effective date of any advanced salary classification is limited to the date that all requirements were met for the advanced salary as verified on an official college/university transcript but is prohibited from exceeding three months prior to the date the application was received by the WVDE in accordance with section 9.10.a.

22.2.h. An individual holding an expired certification is not eligible for an advanced salary classification or advanced degree level.

22.3. Salary Classification for a CTE Permit or Certificate. The basic salary for a CTE Permit holder shall be based on a CTE salary of BA, while the salary for a CTE Certificate holder may be a higher CTE salary level based on degrees earned and/or completed coursework. CTE advanced salary classifications are recognized only on a CTE Certificate. Advanced salary classifications for a CTE Certificate may not exceed a classification of MA+45. A CTE advanced salary classification for an educator whose CTE Certificate is not based on a degree includes CTE BA+15, CTE MA, CTE MA+15, CTE MA+30, and CTE MA+45.

22.3.a. Additional CTE Salary Classification. A CTE educator who received an advanced salary classification under previous provisions is eligible for an additional salary classification after completing 15 semester hours of additional college coursework through an accredited IHE for each new salary classification.

22.3.b. CTE Coursework Update. Completion of six semester hours of college/university coursework in the teaching specialization update are required for each advanced salary classification for a CTE educator. A maximum of six semester hours of teaching specialization update coursework is acceptable for each advanced salary classification.

22.3.c. Permanent CTE Certificate. An educator holding a permanent CTE Certificate may be eligible for a MA+30 CTE salary classification based on earning a BA from an accredited IHE. An educator holding a permanent CTE Certificate may be eligible for an MA+45 CTE salary classification based on earning a BA+15 semester hours of graduate credit from an accredited IHE or based on earning a MA. A Registered Nurse holding an Adult Permit and teaching an LPN Program may be eligible for an MA+45 CTE salary classification.

22.3.d. Non-Degree CTE Coursework. An educator not pursuing a degree but requesting a CTE advanced salary classification must select semester hour coursework from an accredited IHE as approved by the designated official at the WVDE Office of CTE. Approved semester hour coursework must be related to public education and may include occupational update credits approved by the WVDE.

22.3.e. Recommendation. A CTE Educator is required to be recommended for an advanced salary classification by the designated official at the WVDE Office of CTE.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-22