Western Carolina University - About Alternative Licensure at WCU

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Home > Academics > Departments, Schools & Colleges > College of Education and Allied Professions > Centers, Offices and Programs > Office of Alternative Licensure > About Alternative Licensure at WCU

About Alternative Licensure at WCU

As a student in Western's alternative licensure program, you will receive an individualized plan of study based on previous experience and education. Many opportunities to observe and work with public school master teachers are provided in our program. We have dedicated faculty with strong public school partnerships. And you’ll receive support and encouragement during those critical first years of teaching through our Center for the Support of Beginning Teachers (CSBT).

Western offers courses leading to licensure in the following areas:

• Birth-Kindergarten
• Elementary Education, grades K-6*
• English as a Second Language, grades K-12
• Middle Grades Education, grades 6-9 (language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies)
• Secondary Education, grades 9-12 (English, mathematics, comprehensive science, and comprehensive social sciences)
• Special Subject Education, grades K-12 (art, music, Spanish*, and physical education)
• Special Education, grades K-12

* Offered at the undergraduate level only

If you want to become a teacher but can’t leave your full-time job or if you’re already a lateral entry teacher, consider taking your classes online. Our online program was developed for working adults with all licensure courses offered completely online in the following areas: middle and secondary English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies as well as BK and K-12 special education.

Core licensure courses also are available in an online format for those seeking licensure in English as a second language and special subject education (art, music, Spanish, and physical education).

In addition, Western is a member of the North Carolina Model Teacher Education Consortium (NCMTEC) that primarily focuses on attracting new teachers to the profession. If you're a lateral entry teacher, check out the NCMTEC website to see if your system is eligible.

Learn more about NC TEACH II, a grant awarded by the US Department of Education in an effort to expand the current program to focus on recruiting and preparing quality teachers in high-need licensure areas for high-need school districts in North Carolina. In addition, review our 2006 email survey of western North Carolina principals who have welcomed NC TEACHers into their classrooms and review information about alternative licensure scholarly research.