Alternative Licensure
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Alternative teacher education programs are for people with a desire to teach in elementary, middle, or high schools but do not have an undergraduate degree in education. Please note that all alternative licensure programs at NCSU require a minimum GPA of 2.50 and a four-year degree from an accredited college or university. There are two types of alternative licensure: licensure only and lateral entry. Licensure only programs are for people who want to complete their teaching license ("A"-level) before entering the classroom. These programs include education coursework, content-specific coursework, and student teaching. Lateral entry programs are for people who want to work on their coursework while teaching full-time. Lateral entry programs include education coursework, content-specific coursework, and a one-hour practicum in place of student teaching. Participants in lateral entry programs will receive a lateral entry license when they are hired in a teaching position and then will be recommended for a clear ("A"-level) license upon completion of the lateral entry program. There are two types of lateral entry programs offered at NCSU. The traditional lateral entry program can be completed over the course of three years. The NC TEACH program is an intensive one-year program in which participants enter as a cohort and are provided with an extensive support network to aid their transition into the classroom.
MAT PROGRAM INFORMATION
PLEASE NOTE: Until we receive final approval from the UNC Board of Governors in mid-October, we are unable to accept any applications or advertise the program. We know, however, that there is a growing interest in this program, and we want to be ready to start our first classes in January. So we hope that this information provides some answers to our interested candidates.
The MAT program is an accelerated teacher licensure program that leads its students to both an initial teaching license and a Master’s degree in just a year and a half (full time). The MAT also leads completers to the 10% pay increase upon hire in one of North Carolina’s public/charter schools.
NC State’s program is distinct. NC State was a pioneer in Alternative Licensure and has already created one model that has been heralded in the Boston Globe, the LA Times, and Science Magazine. With the MAT we expand on our previous knowledge and impact, but we also continue to believe that teachers need practice integrated with theory as well as experience in today’s culturally diverse and technologically enhanced classrooms.
We also will provide an outstanding program at a reasonable cost. For many of our classes we are able to offer our program at half the normal graduate tuition. You can expect each 3 hour class to cost approximately $680 as compared to well over $1200 at other MAT programs. We accomplish this by partnering with local school systems and holding classes in their facilities. This not only reduces the cost, but also increases our ability to model proper teaching in more relevant environments.
In order to be accepted into the program you must have a minimum of:
A four-year degree from a regionally accredited college/university.
A cumulative score of 1000 on the GRE (verbal and math).
An adequate GPA that predicts success in the program. 3.00 or higher is preferred.
24 Semester hours/credits in relevant content in which you wish to teach (if you have fewer than 24 hours in a relevant content field, of if your course work does not prepare you adequately to teach the North Carolina curriculum, you may be assigned course work to overcome the deficiency).
Hopefully by now you see just how dedicated we are here at NC State to doing our part to alleviate the growing teacher crisis while serving our students. We are the People’s University and take our status as a Land-Grant institution very seriously. We owe programs like these to the students of North Carolina and hope that you will join us in these efforts. Again, please note that the following information is dependent on final approval from UNC-GA:
We should begin accepting applications for the January start around the third week of October. Applications will be due on November 17th and admission letters will begin going out during the second week of December. The content areas being served by the MAT are Math, Science, Social Studies, English, Middle Grades (Language Arts or Social Studies), Technology Education and beginning in Fall 2009 Special Education and Elementary Education.
There will be two core classes offered to students during the Spring semester. These will be EDP 582 (3 credit hours) and ED 601 (1 credit hour). Both of these classes will be meeting at Athens Drive High School in the evening. Exact days and time are still being determined. Depending on your content area there may be some content classes offered in the spring as well, but that is still to be determined.
Financial Aid will be available to our students. You may want to go ahead and fill out a FAFSA form so that paperwork is already submitted. Filling out a FAFSA does not obligate you to financial aid. It is merely the first step that must be taken before anyone can help you.
Starting October 1st we will provide advisors specific to your proposed content area. These advisors will be available by e-mail, phone, and/or scheduled appointment. Please make sure you have contacted this person with any questions you may have. This list will be posted on our website starting October 1st.
If you do not have the 24 content area credits needed to get into the program you can still take the first two graduate classes and transfer them into the program once you have taken the full 24 hours and are accepted.
You can do this program full-time or part-time. Depending on your content area your program can be anywhere from 39-42 hours in length. This number includes student teaching if you are a non-lateral entry student.
Please contact Grant Holley if you have questions.
