Residency Licensure Programs

A Residency License is a North Carolina alternative pathway to teacher licensure that allows qualified individuals to begin teaching while completing coursework toward full licensure. This route is ideal for career changers or recent graduates who have secured employment with a North Carolina public school but have not yet completed a teacher preparation program.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Residency License, you must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7
• Be employed by a North Carolina Local Education Agency (LEA)
• Have either:
  • 24 semester hours of coursework in the licensure area, or
  • A passing score on the required state licensure exam(s)
• Be admitted into a graduate certificate program and enrolled in coursework

Residency Licensure Graduate Certificate Programs

Appalachian State offers fully online graduate certificate programs designed to meet the coursework requirements for Residency Licensure.

These programs are:

• Flexible: Designed for working professionals —100% online (both synchronous and asynchronous).
• Efficient: Complete in as few as 21 credit hours
• Accredited: Approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI)

Students typically take one to two courses per semester (fall, spring, and summer) and are supported throughout their program by dedicated faculty advisors and licensure specialists. Courses are offered both synchronously and asynchronously.

Available Licensure Areas

• Birth through Kindergarten
• Career and Technical Education with available concentrations in:
  • Agriculture Education
  • Business, Finance, and Information Technology Education
  • Family and Consumer Sciences Education
  • Health Sciences Education
  • Marketing and Entrepreneurship Education
  • Technology, Engineering, and Design Education
  • Trade and Industrial Education
• Elementary Education (K–6)
• Middle and Secondary Education (6–12) with focus areas in:
  • Middle Grades: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
  • Secondary English
  • Secondary Mathematics
  • Secondary Science
• Special Education (K–12) with concentrations in:
  • General Curriculum
  • Adapted Curriculum

How to Apply

1. Apply to the Graduate School at Appalachian State University.
2. Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.
3. No entrance exams (e.g., GRE) are required.
4. Contact your program coordinator for transcript review and course planning.

Clinical Internship Requirement

All students must apply for Graduate Student Teaching the semester before enrolling in EDU 5900. Reach out to the Office of Field Experiences for process information and assistance with placement.

All field experiences, including EDU 5900 Graduate Student Teaching, must correspond with the same subject area and grade levels of the graduate certificate program and residency license.

Maintaining and Clearing Your Residency License

A Residency License is valid for one year and may be renewed up to two additional times (for a total of three years).

To maintain and clear your Residency License:

• Remain in good academic standing with your program.
• Enroll in coursework each year of your Residency License.
• Apply for EDU 5900 (Graduate Student Teaching) one semester before you plan to teach.
• Upon completion of coursework and licensure exams, apply for a full Professional Educator’s License.

Resources and Support

• Download the Residency Licensure Verification Form
• Submit Residency Licensure verification form for review
• Learn more about how to apply for the licensure from North Carolina DPI

Contact

For questions and assistance with NC Residency Licensure processes, please reach out to licensure@appstate.edu.