Teaching Education Degrees in North Carolina

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Consider an online teaching program currently accepting applicants for 2024.

School Level Program Admissions

Campbellsville University

All Levels Online Associates, Bachelor's, Master's Programs
Multiple (20+) online Associate, Bachelor, and Master of Education programs in Elementary and Early Childhood Education.
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Click for more online teaching programs currently accepting applicants for 2024.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that there are more than 100 teaching schools in North Carolina. In addition to the many colleges available to students, there are almost an equal number of academic programs, whether you're looking for initial certification, additional certification or just a few online courses to keep up with technology.

Below is an overview of some options available to North Carolina students or students hoping to study in North Carolina.

  • 12 teaching programs in North Carolina accredited by CAEP
  • 2 CAEP-accredited Bachelor's degrees
  • 7 CAEP-accredited Master's degrees in North Carolina

Those pursuing certification must have a Bachelor's degree, complete a North Carolina-approved teacher preparation program, and pass required examinations. North Carolina does not require a background check or fingerprinting to be eligible for certification. However, it is likely individual school districts require them as part of the employment criteria.

Requirements to Teach in North Carolina

Teachers in North Carolina hold certification for the grade level or subject they teach. The certification areas are

  • Birth through kindergarten
  • Grades K-6, Elementary
  • Grades 6-9, Middle Grades
  • Grades 9-12, Secondary
  • K-12 Special Subjects
  • K-12 Exceptional Children
  • Vocational Education

Testing requirements include the Praxis Subject Assessments K-12, for middle and secondary licensure areas. The General Curriculum for those seeking Exceptional Children certification includes the Pearson Test for North Carolina: Foundations of Reading and General Curriculum. Minimum passing scores on appropriate exams must be met when applying for certification.

Alternative certification requirements for those having a Bachelor's degree other than in education include a GPA of at least 2.5 and 24 credit hours of coursework in core areas or a relevant degree. Candidate must pass appropriate North Carolina Board of Education exams.

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School Level Program Admissions

University of West Alabama

All Levels Online Bachelor's, Masters, Doctorate, Education Specialist and Alternative Class A Programs
Choose from more than 40 certification and non-certification education programs that can enhance your career as an educator inside or outside the classroom.
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American University

Master Online Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
CAEP Accredited. Learn how to evaluate, create, and implement effective policy that facilitates exceptional learning experiences for all students.
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University of West Florida

Master Online Master of Education Programs
CAEP Accredited. Programs in Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education. Gives classroom teachers a specialized education for their student age group and career goals.
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Maryville University

Master Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership
Earn your Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Leadership online from Maryville University in as few as 32 months. Prepare to impact higher education on a sweeping scale.
Website

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Master MA in Special Education
CAEP-accredited, Complete in as little as 12 months, six start dates a year, cost-effective tuition.
Website

Purdue University

Master Online MS in Education
Specialized degrees in Special Education, Curriculum Instruction, Learning Design and Technology.
Website

University of West Florida

Master Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
CAEP Accredited, 3 specializations.
Website

Arizona State University

Bachelor Online Bachelor of Education Programs Website

University of Dayton

Master Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
Top-ranked online education program. Degree can be completed in as few as two years (additional time if pursuing the principal licensure track). No GRE required to apply.
Website
Click to view more online teaching programs currently accepting applicants.

Scholarships and Financial Aid Available

There are federal grant programs, loans, and work-study programs available. By filling out the FAFSA, the majority of questions about these programs are answered. Some examples of scholarships other than from the federal government include the Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship Program.

The program awards grants annually to deserving female students in financial need at over 200 accredited educational institutions in nine states, of which North Carolina is one. The scholarships are paid to the respective institutions.

The MetLife Foundation Scholarship is another offered to various states of which North Carolina is on the list. It is open to seniors in high school pursuing a four-year degree in education and other areas. There is no more than one scholarship for each state. The NAIDA Foundation Regional Scholarships are awarded to four young women or men who display outstanding educational abilities. An essay is required in the application process.

Requirements to Qualify for In-State Tuition

Getting in-state tuition status in North Carolina is tough. It is among the most difficult to achieve. The state allows part- and full-time school during the one-year domicile period, but the burdensome financial requirements make taking a gap-year advisable.

A gap-year is taken before or after the freshman year and involves full-time employment and no school. Some hardworking types find it possible to attend school part-time during the freshman year. Some North Carolina universities require full-time status or living in the dorm.

Those policies impact the path to in-state status, which means the gap-year does not begin until at least the second year. North Carolina barely participates in the Academic Common Market that has limited agreements in regional reciprocity among the select Southern States.

The state only participates in graduate programs, which are of no benefit to undergraduates going to or coming from North Carolina. Each institution can apply acceptance requirements or choose to withdraw or limit participation.

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School Level Program Admissions

University of West Alabama

All Levels Online Bachelor's, Masters, Doctorate, Education Specialist and Alternative Class A Programs
Choose from more than 40 certification and non-certification education programs that can enhance your career as an educator inside or outside the classroom.
Website

American University

Master Online Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
CAEP Accredited. Learn how to evaluate, create, and implement effective policy that facilitates exceptional learning experiences for all students.
Website

University of West Florida

Master Online Master of Education Programs
CAEP Accredited. Programs in Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education. Gives classroom teachers a specialized education for their student age group and career goals.
Website

Maryville University

Master Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership
Earn your Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Leadership online from Maryville University in as few as 32 months. Prepare to impact higher education on a sweeping scale.
Website

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Master MA in Special Education
CAEP-accredited, Complete in as little as 12 months, six start dates a year, cost-effective tuition.
Website

Purdue University

Master Online MS in Education
Specialized degrees in Special Education, Curriculum Instruction, Learning Design and Technology.
Website

University of West Florida

Master Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
CAEP Accredited, 3 specializations.
Website

Arizona State University

Bachelor Online Bachelor of Education Programs Website

University of Dayton

Master Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
Top-ranked online education program. Degree can be completed in as few as two years (additional time if pursuing the principal licensure track). No GRE required to apply.
Website
CAEP Accredited Teaching Programs

List of the Best CAEP Accredited Teaching Degrees in North Carolina

Appalachian State University
Boone
CAEP
  • Masters in Library Science ALA
  • Specialist or C.A.S. in School Psychology NASP
East Carolina University
Greenville
CAEP
  • Masters in Educational Leadership ELCC
  • Masters in Library Media Specialist ALA
  • Specialist or C.A.S. in School Psychology NASP
  • Bachelors in Special Education (BS) - Adapted Curriculum CEC
  • Bachelors in Special Education (BS) - General Curriculum CEC
  • Masters in Special Education (MAED) - Emotional/Behavioral Disorders CEC
  • Masters in Special Education (MAED) - Intellectual Disabilities CEC
  • Masters in Special Education (MAED) - Learning Disabilities CEC
  • Masters in Special Education (MAED) - Low Incidence Disabilities CEC
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee
CAEP
  • Specialist or C.A.S. in School Psychology, SSP NASP

Online Teaching Degrees in NC

Examples of the online teaching programs at East Carolina University include master degrees in elementary education, adult education, instructional technology and special education. ECU offers both online and hybrid programs. North Carolina State University offers an ESL online program for licensed teachers and a one-year online alternative teacher education licensure program The M.A.T. program at NCSU is not an online program but it does include online courses.

Appalachian State University offers online programs in career and technical education, child development and communication studies. An online master degree program in educational leadership is also offered at Queens University of Charlotte. The University of North Carolina has many education programs offered through distance learning from pre-education online courses and bachelor degrees to the many master degree teaching programs.

Teaching Specializations

East Carolina University offers both initial and add-on certification programs in areas like principal licensure, supervision licensure, academically gifted, computer-based instruction, special education and adult education. Queens University of Charlotte has certification programs in Spanish or French, elementary education and secondary education in the areas of history, mathematics, biology, social studies, chemistry and English.

North Carolina Central University has licensure and certification programs in areas like elementary education, middle school education, secondary education, birth-kindergarten education and special areas such as physical education, special education, music education and theater arts education. Various licensure and certification programs are offered at University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Bachelor’s in Education Degrees in North Carolina

East Carolina University and North Carolina State University both offer a wide selection of baccalaureate teaching programs, including bachelor degree programs in elementary school education, middle school education, secondary education, special education, science education and mathematics education. These programs include student teaching and internships as part of the curriculum in addition to the classroom coursework.

Appalachian State University offers bachelor degree programs in career and technical education, elementary education, middle school education and teacher education. The middle school major offers concentrations in mathematics and science. Some of the elementary education baccalaureate programs are offered on a part-time basis. Bachelor degree teaching programs can also be found at Piedmont International University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Master’s in Education Degrees in North Carolina

East Carolina University offers master degree programs in special education, instructional technology, reading education, English education, elementary education and middle school education to name just a few. These programs are typically aimed at students that already hold a teaching license and are looking for additional certifications.

Master degree programs in elementary education, curriculum development and supervision, special education, science education and mathematics education are offered at North Carolina State University. Upon completion of these programs, teachers will be licensed to teach specific subjects to certain grade level students.

Piedmont International University offers a 36-credit Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers a large selection of master degree teaching programs. They also offer graduate certificate programs with various areas of study available.