If you are a college graduate looking for a career change, Western Carolina University's alternative licensure programs may be a good fit for you. An alternate route to teaching in NC allows you to obtain a position and begin teaching right away, without any prior teacher training or experience. This route is known as Residency License. Residency license replaced "lateral entry" in 2019. A Residency License teacher must meet all of the following requirements:
For more information, see Residency License Information at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) website.
Many of our students prefer to complete their course work before securing a teaching position. These students learn before they begin teaching—they take all courses for licensure and apply for jobs as fully licensed teachers. All licensure and degree programs have an internship/student teaching requirement in the subject and grades of the licensure concentration and should be fulfilled after all other coursework in Phase I is successfully completed. The internship is not a paid internship. Rolling admissions allow students to begin Fall, Spring, or Summer.
You must apply and be accepted to WCU before registering for teacher licensure courses. Birth to Kindergarten and AIG applicants should complete the undergraduate distance application. Special Education, STEM and TESOL applicants should complete the graduate application.
Upon successful completion of Western Carolina University's alternative licensure program and demonstrated proficiency in the NC Professional Teaching Standards, the university will submit a recommendation to the NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for licensure. DPI reviews recommendations and determines eligibility to issue a teaching license. DPI may require additional information and have additional requirements.
Description: The STEM concentration of the MAT graduate degree is designed for those who do not have a degree in education but seek to earn an initial teaching license in a STEM area. The program is structured in two phases: Phase One leads to the initial license and Phase Two leads to an advanced license with the conferral of the graduate degree. Phase One fulfills the requirements for Residency License if you are already teaching and looking to affiliate with an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). All courses are offered online for flexibility. Opportunities for early field experiences are offered throughout the program, and there is a required internship (two days/week for one semester, five days/week for the last semester).
Level: Graduate-level courses
Eligibility: Minimum conferred baccalaureate degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher in a STEM major, three letters of recommendation, passing scores on the State Board of Education required content area examination for the requested licensure area, and a 500-750 word Statement of Purpose completed in the Application for Admission that includes a description of 1. Background (personal, academic, professional), 2. Current interest in the MAT, and 3. Personal, academic and/or professional goals.
Results: Recommendation for a teaching license in one of the following areas (to align with required content area examination submitted at admission): 6-9 Science, 6-9 Math, 9-12 Math, 9-12 Comprehensive Science, 9-12 Biology, 9-12 Chemistry, 9-12 Physics, 9-12 Earth Science
Instructional Format: STEM education courses are offered completely online. All courses in the program may include some level of field or clinical experience that requires additional time beyond class meetings and assignments. A year-long internship is required in the subject & grade-level of the licensure area. The internship begins after all other coursework in Phase One is finished and includes two days per week for one semester and five days per week for the last semester. The internship is not a paid internship. However, Residency License teachers may complete internship using their own classrooms.
Admission: The course rotation is ideal for Spring admission. However Fall and Summer admission are also options. The GRE is not required for admission. Instead, applicants are asked to submit a written essay describing their backgrounds, interest, and professional goals.
Contact: Bridget Lopez: blopez@wcu.edu or 828.227.2000
Description: The TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) concentration of the MAT graduate degree is designed for those who do not have a degree in education but seek to earn an initial teaching license in K-12 ESL. The program is structured in two phases: Phase One leads to the initial license and Phase Two leads to an advanced license with the conferral of the graduate degree. Phase One fulfills the requirements for Residency License if you are already teaching and looking to affiliate with an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). All courses are offered online for flexibility. Opportunities for early field experiences are offered throughout the program, and there is a required internship (two days/week for one semester, five days/week for the last semester).
Level: Graduate-Level courses
Eligibility: Minimum conferred baccalaureate degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher, three letters of recommendation, and a 500-750 word Statement of Purpose completed in the Application for Admission that includes a description of 1. Background (personal, academic, professional), 2. Current interest in the MAT, and 3. Personal, academic and/or professional goals.
Results: Recommendation for a teaching license in K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL).
Instructional Format: TESOL education courses are offered completely online. All courses in the program may include some level of field or clinical experience that requires additional time beyond class meetings and assignments. A year-long internship is required in the subject & grade-level of the licensure area. The internship begins after all other coursework in Phase One is finished and includes two days per week for one semester and five days per week for the last semester. The internship is not a paid internship. However, Residency License teachers may complete internship using their own classrooms.
Admission: The course rotation is ideal for Fall admission. However Spring and Summer admission are also options. The GRE is not required for admission.
Contact: Bridget Lopez: blopez@wcu.edu or 828.227.2000
Description:The AIG licensure program is for licensed teachers who want to add the AIG licensure area to an existing license. The AIG add-on certification is composed of 4 courses: 1 offered in the Spring, 2 offered during the Summer, and 1 offered during Fall semester.
Level: You may take licensure courses online at the graduate or undergraduate level. 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.
AIG Add-On Alternative Licensure Checklist
Eligibility: Existing teaching license and minimum 3.0 GPA.
Results: Recommendation for a K-12 add-on AIG certification.
Instructional Format: All courses are offered online; the summer course includes a field experience in Cullowhee with the popular Rocket to Creativity Camp the last week in June.
Admission: Rolling admission allows students to begin Spring, Summer, or Fall semester.
Contact: Bridget Lopez: blopez@wcu.edu or 828.227.2000
Description:
The Special Education initial licensure includes two options: General Curriculum license or Adapted Curriculum license.
Certification & Degree Options: The Special Education program offers two paths. Students may either apply for a licensure-only program that results in a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate or the M.A.T. degree program. In the checklists below, Phase I is the certificate program, and Phase I + Phase II is the degree program.
In both General Curriculum and Adapted Curriculum, there are just four additional classes beyond the certificate program (Phase I) to complete the M.A.T. degree program (Phase I + Phase II). Students are welcome to apply to either the certificate or degree program. If students apply for the certificate program and then later decide they would like to pursue the M.A.T., they can then apply for the degree program at that point.
Special Education Adapted Curriculum Alternative Licensure Checklist
Special Education General Curriculum Alternative Licensure Checklist
Level: Graduate - Level Courses
Eligibility: Conferred baccalaureate degree with a minimum 2.85 GPA. Letters of recommendation are also required for admission.
Results: Recommendation for a K-12 teaching license in Special Education.
Instructional Format: Special education courses are offered completely online. All courses in the program have some level of field or clinical experience that requires additional time beyond class meetings and assignments. One full semester of student teaching is required, in the subject & grades of the licensure concentration, and should be fulfilled after all other course work is successfully finished. The internship is not a paid internship. However, Residency License teachers may complete internship using their own classroom.
Admission: Rolling admission allows students to begin Spring, Summer, or Fall semester. The GRE is not required for admission. Instead, applicants are asked to submit a written essay addressing a specific topic.
Contact: Tabatha Gillett: tgillett@wcu.edu or 828.227.2649
Description: If you love children and want to be a vital force in shaping them during those crucial early years, WCU's Birth-Kindergarten (BK) Program is for you. Our goals include giving you the knowledge and skills needed to meet children's social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs from birth to kindergarten in a variety of settings.
Level: Undergraduate
Eligibility: Baccalaureate degree with a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
Results: Recommendation for a Birth-Kindergarten initial or add-on teaching license.
Instructional Format: Online asynchronous format. Each course requires some type of field experience component. One full semester of intern/student teaching is required, in the subject & grade of the licensure concentration, and should be fulfilled after all other course work is successfully finished. Approved placements for the internship are limited to public NC Pre K, Headstart, and Kindergarten classrooms (this does NOT include Early Headstart). The internship is not a paid internship. However, residency license teachers may complete internship using their own classroom.
Admission: Students may begin Spring or Fall semesters. Application deadline for the B-K program is November 15 for Spring term and June 1 for Fall term.
Contact Deb Henry: dchenry@wcu.edu or 828.227.3313
WCU also offers routes to a teaching license via second degree programs. Please see below for additional information.
| Licensure Area | Degree Type | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education, Middle Grades Education (ELA, Social Studies), K-12 ART, MUSIC, HPE, and 9-12 English or Social Studies | Second Bachelor's Degree | These are residential (face-to-face) programs and courses are primarily offered during the day |
Please follow the steps below to apply to Western's alternative licensure programs.
Step One - Choose A Program
Review WCU's Alternative Licensure Programs to see which program is right for you.
Step Two - Apply to WCU
Apply to Western Carolina University. Out of state applicants should check out our Applicants Outside of NC page to determine eligibility and residency for online programs. Tuition and Fees are calculated by the credit hour. Be prepared to factor other costs into your program
budget, including but not limited to subscription to an electronic portfolio system
for completion of edTPA, background check, books, supplies, etc.
Undergraduate Distance Application (Birth to Kindergarten, AIG)
Graduate Application (Special Education, STEM and TESOL.)
Step Three - Send us Your Transcripts
Send your official transcripts to the appropriate office as directed by the application (WCU Undergraduate Admissions or WCU Graduate School). Be sure to follow up with your undergraduate institution to verify the transcripts were sent.
Step Four - Check your email for updates
Many programs have a two-stage admission process. You may need to acknowledge an offer of admission or return an Intent to Enroll form. Be sure to regularly check the email account you provided on your application for updates.
Step Five - Apply to Teacher Education
The Teacher Education Program is a separate application process required for all initial licensure candidates after admission to the University and academic program. See teachereducationapp.wcu.edu for details.
Most of Western’s alternative licensure programs are available as Distance Learning Programs (DLP) because courses are held online. Tuition for distance learning programs is calculated by credit hour. We also offer residential courses allowing you to take classes at our Cullowhee campus. Graduate resident tuition is based on a full-time or part-time status. Undergraduate resident tuition rates are based on full-time status. To see how individual programs are offered, please view our Alternative Licensure Programs.
Visit WCU Tuition and Fees for detailed information regarding tuition for the upcoming semesters.
In addition to tuition and university fees, you'll need to factor other costs of attendance into your graduate school budget. These may include incidental costs such as an electronic portfolio, transportation, books, and supplies. Visit Financial Aid for more information.
Information for Out-of-State Students
Out-of-state students need to visit WCU's Applicants Outside NC to view eligibility of online programs.
Establishing North Carolina Residency
You must complete the North Carolina Residence and Tuition Status Application to establish North Carolina residency. Contact Elizabeth Frazier (efrazier@email.wcu.edu or 828.227.3179) if you have questions.