FAQs

WHAT IS IT?

What is lateral entry?
Lateral entry is a contractual agreement between an individual and a school system (LEA). A school system may hire an individual who has a background in the area he/she will teach but who has not taken professional education courses. When the individual is hired, the school district applies to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) for a lateral entry license (temporary permit or provisional license) that allows the individual to teach for a specified period of time in that school system. Part of the agreement requires the individual to be admitted AND complete a licensure program within the specified period of time in order to convert his/her lateral entry license to a clear and continuing license.

Lateral Entry is an “alternate” route to teaching for qualified individuals outside of the public education system. Lateral entry allows qualified individuals to obtain a teaching position and begin teaching right away, while obtaining a license as they teach. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Licensure Section authorized lateral-entry licenses on a provisional basis in licensure areas that correspond to the individuals’ academic study. Lateral-entry license holders are subject to the regulations that apply to other beginning teachers in North Carolina. Lateral-entry teachers must meet testing requirements within the first two (2) years of employment and have a have a maximum of three (3) years to complete all course requirements.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction issues licenses to teach in the public schools. Individuals who already possess a baccalaureate degree must satisfy the same requirements for licensure as undergraduate teacher education majors. To determine which requirements have been met through previous study, an individual’s transcripts (of all college and university coursework) are analyzed by the host university and an individualized program plan of study (IPP) is developed. The plan will include the education pedagogy and methods courses that must be completed through the program, as well as any additional content course that must be completed.   Upon successful completion of the prescribed program of study, the student may apply for licensure recommendation from the host university.  Additional information is available from the host university.
For more information, please click here.

What is NC TEACH?
NC TEACH (NC Teachers of Excellence for all CHildren) is a statewide teacher preparation program for mid-career professionals and college graduates, developed jointly by the North Carolina State Board of Education and the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina.  It was initially funded from Title II of the Higher Education Act and currently receives state funding.  It is a comprehensive, cohort based program designed to recruit, train, support, and retain highly skilled mid-career professionals and college graduates who seek to enter the teaching profession in North Carolina.

What is an NC TEACHer?
At NC TEACH we call anyone who is participating in or has completed the NC TEACH program, an NC TEACHer—they are the GREATEST!!!

Where and when will NC TEACH classes be held?
The NC TEACH program is offered by eleven host universities (ten public and one private). Affiliate programs are offered at various universities.  The location of these host universities may be found by clicking here.  Each host university constructs its own unique schedule for NC TEACH course offerings. Contact the NC TEACH coordinator at the host university in which you are interested for specific information about course schedules.

What are the eligibility requirements for the NC TEACH program?
The specific eligibility requirements for the program may vary slightly across host universities, but in general, applicants must:

*Some host universities require a 2.7 or higher GPA for admittance into NC TEACH so please view specific requirements for your host university.
** If you have a question about this, please contact the NC TEACH program office.

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WHAT IS REQUIRED?

How much does NC TEACH cost?
Tuition for NC TEACH and content courses is paid directly to your host university, and is based on their tuition per semester credit hour rate. Please view your host university's page for information on tuition and fees.  No money is to be sent to the NC TEACH program office.

Is financial assistance available?
As a university student you may be eligible for several types of scholarships and federal loans. For more information about financial aid, scholarships, and loan forgiveness programs, contact the financial aid office at your host university, or your host university coordinator.

NC TEACHers who obtain employment at certain school districts may be eligible for tuition, textbook reimbursement, and licensing examination preparation seminars through the NC Model Teacher Education Consortium (NCMTEC) program. For more information about this program, please click here.
If you are qualified for and decide to participate in NC TEACH II, you will be eligible to receive a $1000 stipend and a $2000 technology allowance or a new lap top computer.

I have a background in the military and would like to apply. What resources are available to me?
Members of the military (active and retired) and their family members are encouraged to apply and are eligible for a number of educational benefits through the highly regarded program called Troops to Teachers.  Please review the benefits posted at their website and also contact your host university to see if they have a representative from Troops to Teachers on site to help you better understand these benefits.

I am not a resident of North Carolina. Do I have to pay out-of-state tuition?
Out-of-state applicants who obtain employment as a teacher and who reside in the state of North Carolina will be eligible for in-state tuition in the public universities once they begin teaching in a public school. Out-of-state residents are required to pay out-of-state tuition for the credit hours earned during the Summer Institute.

I have a degree from a country other than the U.S., can I apply?
Yes, your host university coordinator will discuss the process of foreign transcript evaluation with you.

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APPLICATION INFO:

When is the deadline for application?
Each host university has a different deadline for application. Please view your host university's web page for information on submitting your application.  Please apply early!

When will I get a decision on my application?
Since applications are reviewed and decisions made throughout the application period, there is no set date for notification of status. You will be notified by the host university of a decision on your application as soon as one is made. 

Should I apply if I don't meet one or more of the eligibility requirements?
If you do not meet one or more of the minimum eligibility requirements, it is unlikely that you will be granted admission to the program. However, in some cases a waiver may apply.  Please contact the NC TEACH program office or your host university coordinator if you are concerned about your eligibility for the program or wish to see if a waiver will apply to your situation.

I want to apply but do not have a degree in, or a minimum of 24 semester credit hours in the licensure area I wish to pursue.  What can I do?
It is not uncommon for someone to be in this situation as the program casts a wide net for applicants who may come with diverse academic and professional backgrounds and yet desire to teach in a very specific discipline area.  This is especially true for those wishing to teach mathematics, science, and exceptional children (special education).  Host university coordinators may be contacted and an analysis of transcripts will help determine what content courses will be needed for a given licensure area.  We recommend that individuals who do not meet the minimum content course requirements begin taking the content courses they need prior to formally applying for the NC TEACH program.  Individuals are encouraged to find and take these courses (face-to-face or online) and then apply to NC TEACH.  Be sure to work closely with the host university coordinator on determining what courses need to be completed and get it in writing!

What licensure areas are offered through NC TEACH?
Licensure areas include middle grades (6-9) mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies; secondary grades (9-12) mathematics, science, social studies and English; K-12 Second Language (Spanish, French); K-12 Special Populations, and many other licensure areas needed by public schools in North Carolina. 

My desired licensure area isn't listed on the table. Does that mean NC TEACH doesn't offer licensure in that area?
If your desired licensure area is not listed in the NC TEACH materials or on this website, it is most likely that we do not offer it at this time.  However, licensure areas offered may be determined by the changing needs of the school districts in North Carolina, so new licensure areas are sometimes added. Please contact the NC TEACH program office or your host university if you have questions about a specific licensure area that is not currently listed.

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TESTING:

Are there testing requirements to become a lateral entry teacher in NC?
Yes applicants for a North Carolina teaching license must earn satisfactory scores on required licensing exams. To find out which specialty exam(s) you are required to take, speak to your host university coordinator.  

What is PRAXIS II and what are the passing scores required for these licensing exams in NC?
Lateral entry applicants must satisfy any required PRAXIS II specialty-area exams by the end of their second year of teaching.  The PRAXIS II Specialty Area Examinations, produced by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), are subject-matter tests designed to ensure that prospective teachers are knowledgeable in their fields. The tests assess both content knowledge and content pedagogy. The specific tests and passing scores required for a North Carolina teaching license are set by the NC State Board of Education.

To learn about specific passing cut off scores in NC, please click here.

Where can I go for help in preparing for the PRAXIS II licensing exams?
Most of the NC TEACH host universities offer preparation seminars or access to the preparation materials provided by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization that develops and scores the PRAXIS II specialty examinations.  Those NC TEACHers who are employed at certain districts may be eligible for PRAXIS II preparation exams through the NC Model Teacher Education Consortium (NCMTEC).

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EMPLOYMENT:

When should I start looking for a teaching position?
You should begin your search for a teaching position in a North Carolina public school (including charter schools) as soon as possible. Each school district has its own hiring timelines and protocols so it is always wise to contact them directly to learn more about their guidelines.  NC TEACH is available to guide and assist participants in their search for employment; however, participants must assume primary responsibility for obtaining a teaching position. 

Where should I begin to look for a teaching position?
It is always wise to contact school districts directly (in person or by phone) as websites may not have all of the most current information regarding new openings at a given school district.

Also, always remember that personal connections are very helpful when searching for employment.  Make sure you check with school administrators or the systems human resource department about guidelines for contacting principals directly. 

The NC Department of Public Instruction has information on job listings and provides links to school district websites. Click here.

Where can I find a list of NC School Districts and their contact information?
Please go to the NC Department of Public Instruction website for a list of all of the public schools and a directory of contacts for all of the public schools in North Carolina.

Where can I find information about job fairs for NC schools?
School districts often have job fairs at specific times during the year and can be contacted directly to learn more about when these are held. They are usually scheduled in the spring after they have been able to determine projected staff needs for the next year. These projections may be made based upon numbers of teachers moving, retiring, numbers of students leaving or moving into the district, or a combination of these factors. 

For information about local job fairs is also posted on the NC Department of Public Instruction website click here.

What will my starting salary be?
Salaries will vary from school district to school district because a local supplement may be added to the base state salary.  Please refer to the NC Public School Salary Schedule for specific information regarding starting base salaries and local supplements for teachers in North Carolina. You may also contact specific school districts to learn about the local supplement percentage which is added to the base salary. 

Years of experience in a previous career may be considered when determining your salary and you are encouraged to find out about this by contacting the licensure representative at your school district once you have been offered a position.  Forms and instructions needed to apply for obtaining credit for your non-teaching experience are available through the personnel office of your employing school district, as well as, online.  You are strongly encouraged to pursue this process via your school district’s licensure officer.  He or she will know best how to proceed.  The NC Department of Public Instruction makes the decision as to whether your non-teaching experience will apply toward teaching experience.

Do some licensure areas get hired before others?
Yes, this is often true. Placement of teachers that are licensed in the high need areas of mathematics, science, and exceptional children (special education) are placed more easily than social studies and English teachers, due to supply and demand issues in North Carolina (and the nation).  NC TEACHers are employed in over 150 schools in 85 school districts in North Carolina.

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ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:

I’d like to take some classes online, is that possible with NC TEACH?
Yes! NC TEACH has a variety of program delivery options to from which to choose.  Program delivery models range from completely face-to-face to completely online with a variety of blended models.  To learn more about these delivery models and more specifically about NC TEACH OnLine, please visit the NC TEACH OnLine page of this website.

I’ve heard about a new program, NC TEACH II.  What is it all about?
NC TEACH was awarded a five-year $2.7 million grant in 2006 through the U.S. Department of Education’s Transition to Teaching program. This grant funds an expansion of NC TEACH, called NC TEACH II, a program that recruits, prepares, and supports teachers who obtain employment in a high-need subject area at identified high-need school districts and charter schools in North Carolina.  NC TEACH II program participants are eligible for a $1000 stipend and $2000 technology allowance or new lap top computer. Please go to NC TEACH II for more information about this opportunity.

Will I earn a degree through NC TEACH?
The NC TEACH program leads to licensure only. However, credits earned through NC TEACH may be applied to a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program, if offered at your host university.  Please visit your host university webpage on this site or contact your host university coordinator for more information about this opportunity.

NC TEACH isn't for me. Where can I find alternatives?
The NC Department of Public Instruction maintains an excellent website on teacher licensure and employment, including a list of approved teacher education programs throughout the state. That website can be accessed by clicking here.

Important Links:
NC Licensure: Questions and Answers

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