FAQ
What are the qualifications for Lateral Entry according to the NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI)?
What information do I need to provide in my initial e-mail to alternative_licensure@ncsu.edu?
Will NC State help me decide what I should be teaching?
Do you have a LE/LO program in Special Education?
Who do I speak with in order to inquire about the ESL "add-on" program?
I am fluent in Spanish/French. Am I eligible for NC State's LE/LO program?
Can I CLEP/Test out of some of my requirements?
My GPA is below 2.50. Can I still be enrolled into an alternative licensure program?
Is financial aid available?
What are the qualifications for Lateral Entry according to the NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI)?
In order to qualify for a lateral entry license from DPI, you must have:
1) At least a Bachelor's degree.
2)
A degree relevant to the desired area of licensure OR 24 semester hours of coursework in the content area OR a passing score on the appropriate PRAXIS II test(s).
3) An undergraduate or graduate cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 (classes taken outside of degree programs do not count) OR five years of relevant experience that occurred after the Bachelor's degree OR passed the PRAXIS I and has a GPA of 3.0 in the major field of study or a GPA of 3.0 in all courses in senior year or a GPA of 3.0 on a minimum of 15 semester hours of courses completed within the last five years.
What information do I need to provide in my initial e-mail to alternative_licensure@ncsu.edu?
You will need to specify the level and area of licensure that you want to pursue (Level: Elementary, Middle, High School. Area: Science, Social Studies, etc.) and your major and cumulative GPA from your 4-year degree. You also need to determine which alternative licensure program you are interested in: Licensure Only, Traditional Lateral Entry, or NC TEACH.
Will NC State help me decide what I should be teaching?
You really need to be the one narrowing down what area and level you would like to teach. We prefer not to answer this question for people. We feel that you should be teaching what you enjoy. Math is very different from social studies, and they are both very different from English, which is different from science. I need a much narrower focus from you before I can direct you. Suggestions that I can make are that you can contact local schools and request a visit. See some different classrooms and teachers and observe their teaching styles. Administrators are very open to this kind of information gathering. What you can also do is go to a local county school office and get on their substitute teacher list. That will, for better or worse, show you what each classroom may hold for you.
Do you have a LE/LO program in Special Education?
No, but we do have a Master's program in Special Education that should be available to you. My suggestions is to contact the director of that program, Dr. Ed Sabornie, at:
Dr. Ed Sabornie
(919) 515-1777
specialed@ncsu.edu
Who do I speak with in order to inquire about the ESL "add-on" program?
The ESL Program supervises and advises students within the program. My suggestion is to go to their website at http://sasw.chass.ncsu.edu/esl/. You will find pragmatic and contact information.
I am fluent in Spanish/French. Am I eligible for NC State's LE/LO program?
Yes. You need either a four-year degree OR you must have already passed the Praxis II Spanish/French test. To register for the PRAXIS II: http://www.ets.org/praxis/
Can I CLEP/test out of some of my requirements?
This varies from program to program. Please ask your advisor when you meet with them.
My GPA is below 2.50. Can I still be enrolled into an alternative licensure program?
No. According to the No Child Left Behind Policy we are not allowed to accept you into our program unless you have a 2.50 cumulative GPA. You will also find it almost impossible to find a teaching position with under a 2.50 GPA because of the same policy.
If you want to do Lateral Entry, your cumulative GPA for degree programs (e.g. bachelor's degree, master's degree, etc.) must be at least 2.50. Courses taken through Lifelong Education (non-degree credit) cannot be counted towards the cumulative GPA for Lateral Entry.
If your undergraduate GPA is below 2.50 and you do not want to enroll in a degree (master's, etc) program, you can take courses through Lifelong Education at http://www.mckimmon.ncsu.edu/ until you can raise your GPA to a 2.50 and THEN we can get you into a Licensure Only program. Here are some classes that will count towards your license and will help you raise your GPA:
ELP 344 School and Society
EDP 304 Educational Psychology
PSY 476 Adolescent Development
ECI 305 Principles of Teaching Diverse Populations
ECI 416 Teaching Exceptional Students in the Mainstreamed Classroom
** To help with financial constraints, we allow many required courses to be taken through our local community colleges. At Wake Tech Community College, please contact Megan Landwehr (mmlandwehr@waketech.edu) for information about how to enroll in classes.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, normal Stafford Loans are available through the financial aid process. Also, if you have served in the military, you might qualify for Troops to Teachers: http://www.proudtoserveagain.com/
