Teachers are in high demand in North Carolina, and the need for more qualified educators continues to grow. To meet the need of the growing opportunities in education, there are numerous colleges in the state of North Carolina to pursue a degree in education, obtain the appropriate licensure, and enter the teaching field to become a part of shaping the future of North Carolina and the United States.

On Campus Teaching Programs in North Carolina

There are many top-rated North Carolina universities that offer on-campus programs for teacher education. Education students at North Carolina A & T University take a variety of courses, including educational psychology, introduction to teaching, and school and society. Students also complete 30 credits in field work, in which they are placed in a classroom for observation and student teaching.

At the University of North Carolina, students are able to major in three areas: elementary education, middle grades education, or child development and family studies. In addition, Math and science majors are able to obtain secondary licensure through the School of Education at the University of North Carolina, and there are music education programs for kindergarten to twelfth grade as well.

Another option for students in North Carolina is Duke University. Options at Duke for obtaining an education in teaching include courses in both secondary and primary education, as well as an early childhood certificate program.

Online Teaching Program Options

Some of the same universities offer teacher education programs through the online format as well, including the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, East Carolina University, and North Carolina A & T State University.

Appalachian State University also has online programs from elementary education to middle grades education and child development. Western Carolina University has master’s degree program for special education, as well as an alternative licensure program for teaching.

North Carolina Credential Requirements for Teaching

In North Carolina, teachers are required to hold a professional educator’s license in the subject or the grade level that they will each in. It takes approximately six weeks on average for licenses to be reviewed and granted. Licenses are divided into three sections: Standard Professional (SP1) Professional Educator’s License, Standard Professional 2 (SP2) License, and Lateral Entry Teachers in North Carolina. The two most common are the SP1 and SP2 certifications.

For the SP1 license, candidates must have graduated from a teaching program in education from a regionally accredited higher learning institution or completed an out of state licensure, met federal Highly Qualified standards, or earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited higher learning institution.

The SP2 Professional Educator’s License requires a minimum of three years of teaching experience and completion of all requirements for the SP1 license. Out of state teachers must have three years of experience, have the Highly Qualified federal designation, and have either National Board Certification or met requirements of the Praxis test results.