Lateral Entry Programs at WCU

Lateral Entry FAQs

Complete a minimum of six semester hours of coursework from your plan of study during each year of employment on a lateral-entry license (maximum of three years to complete all coursework).

Attain a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II subject exam(s) during the first three school years of holding the lateral entry license if the exam(s) was/were not the basis of qualifying for the license.

The lateral entry license is issued for three years, but requires annual progress toward completion (at least six semester hours/year) of an approved teacher education program. This can be done through a university affiliation or a Regional Alternative Licensing Center (RALC). The university affiliation will give you nationally accredited backing. There are face-to-face and fully online teacher education programs available through Western’s College of Education.

WCU Programs

Online Programs

Birth to Kindergarten

Special Education (General and Adapted Curriculum)

Secondary Programs – require a relevant undergraduate degree

9-12 Social Sciences

9-12 Science (comprehensive)

9-12 English

Residential (Face-To-Face) Programs

9-12 Mathematics

K-12 Spanish

K-12 Art

Interested in one of our plans? Check out our website and fill out our Eligibility Form for more information!

Alternativelicensure.wcu.edu

Contact Sarah Orr (sorr@wcu.edu) for questions.

WCU Plan of StudyOption to add the MAT once licensure is completed.

RALC

Regional Alternative Licensing Center

The RALC can provide you with a plan of study outlining courses that can be taken at any University in North Carolina.

WCU offers a variety of RALC approved courses online.

The RALC is recognized only by North Carolina.

Already have a RALC plan of study? Contact Annie McCord Muse (amccord@wcu.edu) to find out how to get started at WCU!

RALC Plan of Study

If you already have a RALC plan of study and need to know where courses are offered…

Under ‘Courses’, Choose Licensure Area

Choose your Licensure Area

See a list of Universities that offer courses you need!

Terminology

RALC – Regional Alternative Licensing Center

Can develop a plan of study for you as a lateral entry teacher with courses that can be taken at any University in NC.

PRAXIS I & II

Provisional License

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Helpful Contacts

Office of Alternative Licensure

teachercert@wcu.edu

828.227.7027

Sarah Orr – Administrative Support

sorr@wcu.edu

Barbara Schade – Licensure Specialist

bschade@wcu.edu

Rachel Wike – Coordinator Distance and Special Programs

rwike@wcu.edu

Annie McCord Muse – RALC and Distance Education Advisor

amccord@wcu.edu

Helpful Links

WCU’s Office of Alternative Licensure – alternativelicensure.wcu.edu

WCU’s Application

Distance Undergraduate - https://www1.cfnc.org/applications/WCU_Dist_Ed/apply.html?application_id=3631

Graduate - http://www.wcu.edu/academics/wcu-graduate-school/prospective-graduate-students/apply-now.asp

Licensure FAQs - http://www.wcu.edu/academics/departments-schools-colleges/CEAP/ceap-depts/teacher-and-school-professional-licensure/licensure-faqs.asp

Regional Alternative Licensing Center - www.ralc.us

PRAXIS Information - https://www.ets.org/praxis

NC Department of Public Instruction - http://www.ncpublicschools.org/