Birth – Kindergarten Licensure
The licensure program in B-K is taught online at the undergraduate level.  You should apply to WCU Admissions as a teacher certification, distance education student.  Application deadline for the B-K program is November 30 for Spring term, April 1 for Summer term, and August 1 for Fall term.

Elementary Education
The licensure program in Elementary Education is a second-degree program -- 68 hours or less, depending on previous coursework. Licensure requirements are completed at the same time the second degree is earned. For more information, contact the academic department at 828.227.7108 or see the Elementary Education Second Degree Program website.

Middle Grades/Secondary
The core education courses are offered in an online, blended, or face-to-face format.  You may also be required to take some pre-requisite courses in your content area.
 
In order to register for Alternative Licensure courses, you must also apply and be accepted to the WCU Graduate School.  You may apply as teacher certification, distance education or MAT. GRE scores or letters of recommendation are not required for licensure-only, distance-education applicants (but are required should you decide to pursue a MAT degree at a later date).

Special Education
Licensure and MAT courses are offered in an online, blended, or face-to-face format.  In order to register for Alternative Licensure courses, you must also apply and be accepted to the WCU Graduate School.  You may apply as teacher certification, distance education or MAT. GRE scores and letters of recommendation are not required for licensure-only, distance-education applicants (but are required should you decide to pursue a MAT degree at a later date).

Art, Music & PE
K-12 art, music and physical education licensure programs are not considered distance education programs. You may also be required to take some pre-requisite courses in your content area.
 
In order to register for Alternative Licensure courses, you must also apply and be accepted to the WCU Graduate School.  You may apply as teacher certification or MAT. GRE scores or letters of recommendation are not required for licensure-only applicants (but are required should you decide to pursue a MAT degree at a later date).

Spanish
The core education courses are offered in an online, blended, or face-to-face format.  You may also be required to take some pre-requisite courses in your content area.  You should apply to WCU Admissions as a teacher certification student.

TESOL
The licensure program in TESOL results in an M-level license.  You will be earning an MAT degree after completing program requirements. If you would like more information about the TESOL master's program, you may contact Dr. Chandrika Rogers  or 828-227-3921.  The TESOL courses are offered in a face-to-face format, mostly at the Asheville campus.  In order to register for TESOL courses, you must also apply and be accepted to the WCU Graduate School. 

AIG (add-on license only)
The AIG licensure program is for licensed teachers who want to add the AIG licensure area to an existing license.  You may take licensure courses online at the graduate or undergraduate level.  All courses are offered online; the summer course includes a field experience in Cullowhee with the popular Creativity Camp the last week in June.  For those who qualify, our graduate courses also fulfill a portion of the requirements for a MAEd in Gifted Education, allowing you to work toward an advanced degree at the same time you’re completing licensure coursework. 

NC TEACH II
Please note that you must be hired as a lateral entry teacher to qualify for the NC TEACH II stipend.  Please visit www.wcu.edu/8372.asp for more information and the associated paperwork.

ALL LICENSURE AREAS --

In order to register for teacher licensure courses, you must also apply and be accepted to WCU.  Apply through undergraduate admissions for 100- to 400-level courses, and through the Graduate School for 500- and 600-level courses. GRE scores or letters of recommendation are not required for licensure-only, distance-education applicants (but are required should you decide to pursue a MAT degree at a later date). If you plan to take graduate level courses, the Graduate School will need transcripts to show your conferred Bachelor's degree.

If you already have a licensure plan…
It is important that you send the courses you are planning to take to the Office of Alternative Licensure.  You cannot be admitted or enrolled until the courses are approved.