Residency Education Licensure Program

North Carolina Central University’s Residency Education for Licensure (REL) pathway is a model designed to assist residency candidates with meeting residency licensure requirements. REL participants can complete coursework requirements as determined by program area (continuous enrollment required). REL participants must follow a plan of study and remain enrolled until completion.

To qualify for the Residency Education for Licensure pathway and subsequent plan of study, applicants must have the following:

• Accredited bachelor’s degree (or higher)
• 2.7 cumulative GPA
• 24 credit hours of coursework in the content area or passage of the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) exam in the content area
• Must be a teacher of record

Note: Residency candidates must fulfill all requirements set forth by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the North Carolina State Board of Education Residency License policy, specifically in relation to licensure, employment, testing and coursework. Enrollment in NCCU’s REL pathway model does not guarantee continued employment within a school district or fulfillment of all licensure requirements.

• Birth–Kindergarten
• Dance (K–12)
• Elementary (K–6)
• Career and Technical Education (CTE): Family and Consumer Sciences
• Physical Education (K–12)
• High School and Secondary Grades (9–12)
  • English, Math, Science or Social Studies
• Middle Grades (6–9)
  • Language Arts, Math, Science or Social Studies
• Music (K–12)
• Spanish (K–12)
• Theatre (K–12)
• Special Education: General Curriculum (K–12)
• Special Education: Adapted Curriculum (K–12)

Your plan of study remains valid if:

1. You remain employed as a lead teacher under residency in a Department of Public Instruction (DPI)-approved North Carolina Local Education Agency (LEA);
2. You hold an unexpired residency license in the area in which you have been hired with 24 hours of relevant coursework;
3. The licensure area on your plan of study matches the licensure area on your residency license and service area;
4. You maintain a 2.7 GPA or higher while a REL candidate.

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Candidates will receive an official plan of study with their REL acceptance letter. Admission to the Teach Education Program is required for some coursework. Licensure Exam must be completed or passed prior to the student teaching semester. Students are required to complete or pass edTPA.

• Teach successfully for at least one full year in an approved residency position (NC public or approved DPI private or charter)
  • Evidence: Your LEA will need to submit a letter verifying success in teaching service
• Continuous employment
• Residency must be completed within 3 years

The following steps are provided as an accompanying guide for residency licensure candidates who wish to enroll in North Carolina Central’s University’s Residency Education Licensure Program. All interested candidates should complete the residency application to confirm their intent to participate and enroll.

1. Secure employment as a teacher of record through a NC DPI-approved school or district.
2. Review the Residency License Policy documents on the NC DPI website.
3. Apply to undergraduate admissions. Please select "Undergraduate Residency Education Licensure." If the residency area is special education, apply through graduate admissions (Special Education degree program). Note: Transcripts will be reviewed for 24 hours in the content area or passage of the Praxis II in the content area.
4. A final plan of study will be developed by the program coordinator of the licensure area.
5. The program coordinator will submit a copy of the plan to the Alternative Licensure Office and the student.

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