NC TEACH Alternative Teaching Licensure

View from behind a teacher looking at children in her classroom.

North Carolina Teachers of Excellence for All Children (NC TEACH) is for people already working as teachers on a residency license who need full licensure.

The NC Department of Public Instruction requires all teachers, student services personnel, and administrators be licensed to serve in public schools. NC TEACH an alternative path for professionals. It is popular with teachers who originally planned for a different career path and earned their undergraduate in a different field.

During this program, they can continue to teach while earning their credentials. They will improve classroom skills and develop a greater understanding of specific subjects. Its field-based component places them in local school systems to put those skills to work right away. They may choose to teach students in any elementary or secondary grade, from kindergarten through high school.

Why Invest In The nc teach licensure Experience

North Carolina offers an alternative “residency license” program to help staff special education and core subjects. Whereas the standard program requires a year of unpaid student teaching, with the residency license program, teachers who completed their bachelor’s degree in a core subject may begin teaching right away. Teachers who use this pathway then take classes outside regular school hours to attain their full teaching license. They must have at least 24 credits in their teaching areas or passing scores on the PRAXIS II teaching examinations.

With UNCG’s NC TEACH program, teachers enroll in a sequence of education courses and engage in field-based experiences. They receive intensive coaching, coursework, mentoring, and supervision to ensure positive learning outcomes for P–12 students and longterm teacher success. In the meantime, they teach in local public school systems with their residency license.

The Collaborative for Educator Preparation (CEP) administers the NC TEACH Alternative Licensure Program in the four areas. For most of these, students may apply up to 18 credits of NC TEACH course work toward a master’s degree program.

  • Elementary Education (K-6)
  • Middle Grades (6-9) Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies
  • Secondary or High School (9-12) English, Math, Science, and Social Studies
  • K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL)

Graduate students benefit from hands-on learning woven throughout all School of Education programs and co-curriculars. Those interested in research may work alongside faculty members on cutting-edge studies and innovation projects related to pressing social and educational issues.

Mary Judge with her students in a classroom

After Graduating with your nc teach licensure

At the end of the NC TEACH licensure program, teachers will earn an initial standard professional I license to teach in North Carolina. They will be able to teach students as young as kindergarten and as old as high school.

Some NC TEACH graduates continue with their education to become instructional coaches for other teachers.

The U.S. Department of Education requires that all higher education institutions advise students as to whether their curriculum provides them with the eligibility to apply for a professional license and/or certification in the state for which they plan to practice. As such, please review UNC Greensboro’s status by state for the initial teaching license. You should note whether the program either “meets”, “does not meet”, or if there “has not been a determination” of the program’s status in the state for which you plan to practice. Review the Licensure Reciprocity Information.

Funding and Scholarships While Getting Licensure

Each year, the School of Education awards over $1 million in scholarships and graduate assistantships to students.

The Haggai Academy is a scholarship program that provides scholarships of up to $8,000 per year, as well as a wide range of additional enrichment opportunities, for non-traditional students (24 years of age or older) pursuing an initial teacher license.

Program Details

College/School: School of Education

Program Type: Licensure

Class Type: In Person

Catalog Name: NC TEACH Alternative Licensure

Contact Us

headshot of Faith Freeman

Dr. Faith Freeman
fabrown@uncg.edu
336.334.4669