North Carolina needs teachers. Over the next decade North Carolina school systems and charter schools will employ over 100,000 new teachers. More than 12,500 new teachers are needed each year to meet the needs of our schools. What that means for students is that your degree in teaching will prepare you for an in-demand career. WCU graduates are highly sought after by schools across the state.
North Carolina’s greatest teacher shortages are in special education, mathematics, middle grades and teaching English to speakers of other languages. WCU offers competitive programs in each of these areas.
Western Carolina offers incredible opportunities to learn while serving students in our community and on our campus.
The WCU UP Program provides an inclusive, two-year, on-campus living and learning experience for college-aged persons with intellectual disabilities. Teacher Education students in Inclusive Education provide support to these students as they attend classes and engage in social and recreational activities at WCU. LEARN MORE
Teacher education students interested in TESOL gain hands-on experience in the grant funded after school program for local Hispanic elementary school students hosted at an on-campus church. LEARN MORE