Congratulations—you have been accepted into Western's alternative licensure program! Check this page often for announcements, program details, registration information, and more. Newly admitted students will find the Checklist for Newly Admitted Students very helpful. It provides the information you need as a newly admitted student.

When it’s time to register, your first step should be to contact your adviser and discuss the classes you need. You can also use your program plan of study and the Schedule of Licensure Courses and Schedule of Prerequisite Content Courses to help you plan. These schedules show the projected list of licensure and prerequisite content courses for the upcoming semesters. Refer to this page often, as it is updated as courses are added. Refer to the Alternative Licensure FAQ for the steps to register, pay fees, or purchase books.

If you are taking courses online or at a site other than Cullowhee or the campus of UNC-A, you may find the Distance and Online Programs' FAQs helpful. You can also call the distance learning help line toll free at 1-866-wcu-grad.

When you complete your coursework and are ready for student teaching/internship experience, contact the Office of Field Experiences. You must also submit the following forms to Ken Hunt, director of field experiences, before the posted deadline:

• Teacher certification (licensure-only)
• M.A.T.

Securing a Teaching Position

If you are interested in securing a teaching position now, the minimum requirements for Becoming a Lateral-Entry Teacher are based on your academic content background. Be sure you meet at least one of the criteria established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Education recruitment fairs are held at Western in the fall and spring and also around the state. Check our Preparing for Job Fairs page for information that will help you get ready to meet school system representatives. You'll also find links to job fairs at Western, the region, and around the state.

The NC Department of Public Instruction website has an electronic application that can be used for all 117 school systems across the state. Choose “How to Apply.”  You can also use this site to link directly to each school system’s web information as well as postings of job vacancies. You should follow up with each school system to verify that they do not require additional documentation.

Preparing for Job Fairs

Check our Preparing for Job Fairs page for information that will help you prepare for education job fairs. Here you’ll find links to job fairs at Western, in the region, and around the state.

Praxis II Information and Preparation

Information about the Praxis II exam can be found at NC requirements on the ETS website (ets.org). Find the test you are interested in and click on the test number. This will lead you to "Tests at a Glance" which is a full explanation of the test, content covered, and sample questions with answers. 
 
For more information, contact Rachel Wike.