Teacher Certification Degrees » Teacher Certification Center » North Carolina Teacher Certification

North Carolina Teacher Certification

How to Become a Teacher in North Carolina

Anyone who aspires to teach in the state of North Carolina must hold a North Carolina teacher certification for the subject or grade level they wish to teach. In North Carolina, teaching certificate areas include: birth through kindergarten, elementary (grades K-6), middle grades (grades 6-9), secondary grades (grades 9-12), special subjects (K-12), exceptional children (K-12), and vocational education.

Quick Guide

Spotlight School

DeVry University

Popular Programs:

  • Master's-Education
  • Graduate Certificate-Management of Education Corporation/Corporate Training Divisions
  • Graduate Certificate-Education Leadership
  • Graduate Certificate-Curriculum Leadership

Find a School

North Carolina Teacher Education Requirements

North Carolina State SealThe most common pathway to North Carolina teaching certification is the completion of an approved teacher education program from an accredited college or university. The state of North Carolina has four distinct teacher education and reciprocal licensing tracks. A candidate may complete a teacher education program that has been accredited by NCATE or one that meets the standards set forth by NASDTEC. Finally, a candidate may complete a state-approved teacher education program that does not have NCATE accreditation, but one that has either been approved through the interstate agreement or based on NASDTEC principles.

Profiles of Well Known Schools

University of North Carolina: The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill is home to the country’s largest concentration of individuals with master’s degrees known as the research triangle. The Triangle is made up of University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University and Due University. Many of those scholars are trained an educated at the University of North Carolina School of Education. The School of Education is approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. The Graduate Programs in school psychology are accredited by the American Psychological Association and Counseling for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. The School of Education at UNC is home to thousands of undergraduates and graduate students, and is one of the largest at UNC.

Duke University: Prestigious Duke University in Durham, North Carolina offers undergraduate studies in Education. The goal of the Duke Program in Education is to give its student’s dynamic learning opportunities outside the classroom that shape their thinking and skills. Duke’s education department is led by full-time faculty members all with doctoral degrees in the areas in which they instruct and research. Undergraduates are able to spend time with full tenured faculty learning and receiving mentorship both in and out of the classroom. The Duke Department of Education offers students a robust learning environment outside of the class with student led organizations that provide enriching activities all to do with challenges and opportunities in education.

Find a School

North Carolina Teacher Outlook as of 2012
At the start of 2012, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported North Carolina’s unemployment rate at 10.5%, significantly above the national average of 8.5%. The Occupational Supply & Demand System projects 6,830 annual job openings in library and education fields in North Carolina through 2018. In fall 2008 and 2007 respectively, the National Center of Education Statistics listed 109,634 public school and 10,850 private school teachers employed in North Carolina. The average starting teaching salary in North Carolina is $31,892 and the average overall teaching salary is $46,605, the 9th lowest average among US states, according to the National Education Association. Due to a growing school system and an aging teacher population, teaching and school-support employment opportunities are expected to increase annually as new positions are created and retirement rates increase. The NEA reports current teacher shortages in special education, ESL, math and science, and projects future shortages in all subjects including librarians and counselors. Please visit the North Carolina Association of Educators for updates on education policy in North Carolina, or contact local education and teaching schools for information regarding certification.

North Carolina Teacher Testing Requirements

The testing requirements for North Carolina teacher certification include a combination of the Praxis Series, the National Teachers Examination (NTE), and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Candidates who are applying for a North Carolina teaching certificate must have already met the minimum passing score at the time of application. Candidates who are applying for an initial teaching certificate must take the Professional Knowledge test of the NTE Core Battery and either an NTE specialty area test or a Praxis II subject assessment. If a candidate prefers, he or she may submit GRE scores instead of Praxis scores for initial certification. Passing GRE scores include 380 in verbal, 410 in quantitative, and 380 in analytical.

North Carolina Teacher Salary and Jobs

Type Number Employed Average Annual Salary
Preschool Teachers 13,240 $24,090
Kindergarten Teachers 4,200 $41,610
Elementary School Teachers 39,640 $43,420
Middle School Teachers 19,050 $42,720
Secondary School Teachers 26,970 $45,240

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.

North Carolina Teacher Interview

Interview with Amber Polk, North Carolina Third Grade Teacher

School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in North Carolina

Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools

Brandman University Online

Popular Programs:

  • MA in Education (Leadership in Early Childhood Education)
  • BA in Early Childhood Education
  • MA in Educational Leadership and Administration (Tier 1)
  • MA in Education with Instructional Technology Emphasis
  • And more...
University of Phoenix

Popular Programs:

  • M.A. in Education/Early Childhood Ed.
  • M.A. in Education/Secondary Teacher Education
  • B.S. in Education / Elementary Education
  • A.A. in Elementary Education
  • And more...
Colorado Technical University Online

Popular Programs:

  • Doctor of Management - Graduate Level Instructional Practices
  • Doctor of Management - Private Sector Higher Education Leadership
DeVry University

Popular Programs:

  • Master's-Education
  • Graduate Certificate-Management of Education Corporation/Corporate Training Divisions
  • Graduate Certificate-Education Leadership
  • Graduate Certificate-Curriculum Leadership
Western Governors University

Popular Programs:

  • M.A. Teaching (K-8)
  • Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Program (K-8)
  • B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8)
  • M.A. Teaching - Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
  • And more...

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Teacher in North Carolina

Question: How do I become a substitute teacher in North Carolina?

Answer: To be a substitute teacher in North Carolina, you must apply to the district in which you hope to work. The state does not require substitutes to hold a teacher license, but individual districts may have different requirements. http://www.ncpublicschools.org/licensure/faq/

Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in North Carolina

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC 28608
(828) 262-2000
www.web.appstate.edu/admissions/

Student Review: “I am now a sophomore at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. I am currently taking summer school here and am living in an apartment right on the edge of campus. The weather here is amazing and the students here are quite conservative and very friendly. I lived in a dorm during my freshman year here and I really disliked it. Mainly because it was an all male dorm which became quite irritating after a while due to the noisy roommates that were on my particular floor. The janitor staff did clean the dorms but only to an extent that was just not clean enough for me. The teaching staff here is quite knowledgeable and most of them will provide help if needed by any student, which is very nice. The student population here is roughly seventeen thousand, which is kind of small for a college but not too small.” -Austin F., student at Appalachian State University

Barton College
200 ACC Drive NE
Wilson, NC 27893-7000
(252) 399-6300
www.barton.edu

Beaufort County Community College
5337 Highway 264 East
Washington, NC 27889
(252) 946-6194

Bennett College for Women
900 E Washington St
Greensboro, NC 27401-3239
(336) 517-2100
www.bennett.edu/admissions.htm

Blue Ridge Community College-Flat Rock
180 West Campus Drive
Flat Rock, NC 28731-4728
(828) 694-1700
www.blueridge.edu

Brevard College
One Brevard College Drive
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 883-8292
www.brevard.edu

Brunswick Community College
50 College Rd
Supply, NC 28462
(910) 755-7300
www.brunswickcc.edu/Admissions/Admissions_Main.htm

Campbell University Inc
450 Leslie Campbell Ave
Buies Creek, NC 27506
(910) 893-1200

Catawba College
2300 W Innes St
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 637-4111
www.catawba.edu

Central Piedmont Community College
1201 Elizabeth Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28204
(704) 330-2722

Chowan University
One University Place
Murfreesboro, NC 27855
(252) 398-6500
chowan.edu/admissions/default.htm

Cleveland Community College
137 S Post Rd
Shelby, NC 28152-6224
(704) 484-4000
www.clevelandcommunitycollege.edu/admissions.php

East Carolina University
East 5th Street
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
(252) 328-6131
www.ecu.edu/admissions/

Elizabeth City State University
1704 Weeksville Rd
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
(252) 335-3400

Elon University
100 Campus Drive
Elon, NC 27244-2010
(336) 278-2000

Empire Beauty School-Matthews
11032 E Independance Blvd
Matthews, NC 28105
(800) 223-3271

Fayetteville State University
1200 Murchison Rd
Fayetteville, NC 28301-4298
(910) 672-1111
www.uncfsu.edu/admissions/

Gardner-Webb University
Main St
Boiling Springs, NC 28017-0997
(704) 406-2361

Haywood Community College
185 Freedlander Drive
Clyde, NC 28721-9901
(828) 627-2821
www.haywood.edu/prospective_students

High Point University
833 Montlieu Ave
High Point, NC 27262-3598
(336) 841-9000
www.highpoint.edu/prospects/?CFID=1653943&CFTOKEN=74037770

Johnson C Smith University
100 Beatties Ford Rd
Charlotte, NC 28216-5398
(704) 378-1000
www.jcsu.edu/admissions/index.htm

Lees-McRae College
275 College Drive
Banner Elk, NC 28604-0128
(828) 898-5241
www.lmc.edu/web/admissions/

Lenoir-Rhyne University
625 7th Avenue NE
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 328-1741
www.lr.edu/admissions

Livingstone College
701 W Monroe St
Salisbury, NC 28144
(704) 216-6000

Mars Hill College
100 Athletic St
Mars Hill, NC 28754
(828) 689-1307
www.mhc.edu/admissions.asp

Meredith College
3800 Hillsborough St
Raleigh, NC 27607-5298
(919) 760-8600
www.meredith.edu/admissions/

Methodist University
5400 Ramsey St
Fayetteville, NC 28311-1420
(910) 630-7000
www.methodist.edu/Admissions/index.htm

Mitchell Community College
500 W Broad Street
Statesville, NC 28677-5293
(704) 878-3200

North Carolina A & T State University
1601 E Market St
Greensboro, NC 27411
(336) 334-7500
www.ncat.edu/admissions.html

North Carolina Central University
1801 Fayetteville Street
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 530-6100
www.nccu.edu/admissionsandaid/index.cfm

North Carolina State University at Raleigh
2101 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27695-7001
(919) 515-2011
www.ncsu.edu/future-students/admissions/index.php

Pfeiffer University
48380 Hwy 52n
Misenheimer, NC 28109-0960
(704) 463-1360

Salem College
601 S Church St
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 721-2600
www.salem.edu/admissions

Shaw University
118 East South Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 546-8200

South Piedmont Community College
680 Highway 74 West
Polkton, NC 28135
(704) 272-5300

Tri-County Community College
4600 E US 64
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-6810
www.tricountycc.edu/futureStudents.php?cat=114

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
103 South Bldg Cb 9100
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
(919) 962-2211
www.admissions.unc.edu

University of North Carolina at Charlotte
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
(704) 687-2000
www.uncc.edu/admissions/

University of North Carolina at Greensboro
1000 Spring Garden St
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
(336) 334-5000
web.uncg.edu/adm/

Student Review: “The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has a amazing music program that offers several opportunities to increase your ability as a musician. Unlike some schools, the music education program offers many chances to work and/or volunteer in a music classroom allowing the student to pursue a career path that they are sure about. Since UNCG is a school or research, the professors and very knowledgeable and up-to-date on all the current research, and personally know almost all of the pioneers in music education. Their music education program is set up so that the student can pursue a master’s degree and then successfully pursue their National Board Certification. The professors freely give out their personal contact information that students are free to use in case a problem should arise.” -Daniel D., student at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

University of North Carolina at Pembroke
One University Drive
Pembroke, NC 28372-1510
(910) 521-6000
www.uncp.edu/admissions/default.asp

University of North Carolina-Wilmington
601 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403-5963
(910) 962-3000
www.uncw.edu/admissions/

Student Review: “Studying at the Watson School of Education was one of the best decisions I ever made in regard to furthering my career in teaching. My degree was concentrated in Primary Education, and I was supported and challenged throughout my three years in the department, all the way to graduation and then beyond. My professors were all highly knowledgeable individuals with decades, yes, decades of experience in the field of teaching, and the resources available to students were extraordinary. The teaching lab with classroom environment simulations, especially, was a valuable resource, as well as my two year continuous internship with the local New Hanover County school district, in which I learned everything there is to know about K-5 education techniques and strategies. The connections and experiences I made during my time at the Watson School of Education have also helped me gain admission to grad school, where I am pursuing a Masters in education.” -George D., student at University of North Carolina-Wilmington

Vance-Granville Community College
I85 and Poplar Creek Rd
Henderson, NC 27536
(252) 492-2061

Wake Forest University
1834 Wake Forest Road
Winston Salem, NC 27106
(336) 758-5000
www.wfu.edu/admissions/

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC 28723-9646
(828) 227-7211
www.wcu.edu/15.asp

Student Review: “The art education program at WCU is absolutely amazing. I enrolled there in the fall of 2006 and graduated in the fall of 2009. My biggest complaint at that time is that the advising was not very well aligned. The art ed program is a split of about 60% content courses to 40% education courses. Knowing this my advisor did not inform me about certain classes only being offered at certain times, and as a result I spent an extra year in the program. However, beyond that one hiccup I believe the program to be nop notch. The facilities are excellent and well maintained, and the professors are amazing.” -Isaiah B., student at Western Carolina University

Western Piedmont Community College
1001 Burkemont Ave
Morganton, NC 28655-4511
(828) 438-6141

Wingate University
220 North Camden Road
Wingate, NC 28174-0157
(704) 233-8000
www.wingate.edu/FutureStudents/default.asp

Winston-Salem State University
601 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Winston-Salem, NC 27110-0001
(336) 750-2000
www.wssu.edu/WSSU/About/Administration/Division+of+Student+Affairs/Office+of+Undergraduate+Admissions

Page edited by Charles Sipe.

Share