What is a Residency License?
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. It 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.
Program Structure
- Format: 100% online
- Pacing: One to two per semester (fall, spring, summer)
- Support: Dedicated faculty advisors and licensure specialists
How to Apply
- Apply to the Graduate School at Appalachian State.
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.
- No entrance exams required (e.g., GRE).
- Contact your program coordinator for transcript review and course planning.
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.
- Efficient: Complete a total of 21 credit hours.
- Accredited: Approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).
Available Licensure Areas
- Birth through Kindergarten
- Career and Technical Education
- Business, Finance, and Information Technology Education
- Business, Marketing and Entrepreneurship Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education
- Technology, Engineering and Design Education
- Trade and Industrial Education
- Elementary Education (K-6)
- Middle and Secondary Education (6-12)
- Middle Grades: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies
- Secondary English
- Secondary Mathematics
- Secondary Science
- Special Education, General and Adapted (K-12)
Maintaining and Clearing Your Residency License
- A Residency License is valid for one year and can be renewed up to two additional times, for a total of three years.
- You must remain in good academic standing with your program and enroll in coursework during each year of your Residency License.
- You must apply for EDU 5900 (Graduate Student Teaching) a full semester before you plan to teach (instructions below).
- Upon completion of coursework and licensure exams, you may apply for a full Professional Educator’s License.
Graduate Student Teaching Application Process (EDU 5900)
- All students must apply for Graduate Student Teaching the semester prior to enrolling in EDU 5900.
- Learn more about the process and application deadlines.