Becoming a teacher in North Carolina is not complicated, but it does take some work. You must earn your bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved EPP (Educator Preparation Program). You can then apply for your teaching residency licensure.
The demand for teachers in North Carolina is high. The state is experiencing a shortage of qualified teachers across the board, especially for core elementary education, special education, middle school science and math, middle school English Language Arts (ELA), and high school Career and Technical Education (CTE), such as business, technology, and agriculture.
If you are interested, there are some additional alternatives beyond the traditional path of earning your teacher licensure, including teaching residency programs or a teacher licensure program.
What Is a Teaching Residency Program?
In other fields, such as medicine, serving a residency is nothing new. For example, medical students follow a medical program for four years after earning their Bachelor’s degree. Once they decide on what field of medicine they would like to further explore, they apply for a residency program in that field to further their education.
It is a newer approach for teachers, but a teaching residency program is similar. Through a one-year training program along with supervised classroom experience and while following a master’s program curriculum, you can obtain teacher licensure in North Carolina.
What Are the Qualifications for Residency Licensure Programs?
So, what do you need to qualify for a residency teaching license program in North Carolina? Here are the basics:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.7 GPA.
- Complete 24 or more credit hours of coursework in the area you would like to teach such as history, English, a foreign language, or math.
- Get hired for a teaching position within a North Carolina school district that matches the grade level and subject matter you would like to become licensed for and teach.
- Apply to Barton College for its teacher licensure program.
Once accepted to the program, and with a North Carolina school district position, your school district will submit a residency license application for you, and hopefully, offer you a permanent position.
Benefits of a Teaching Residency in North Carolina
When you enroll in a teaching residency program at Barton College, you will receive:
- Professional mentorship
- Hands-on classroom experience
- Enlarge your possibilities of job placement upon graduation
- Help you network among other educational professionals
- Achieve personal growth that you may not otherwise experience
How a Teaching Residency Can Help a TA Get Licensed
If you are an experienced teaching assistant (TA), a teaching residency program can serve as a pathway to getting your teaching license. Working alongside an experienced mentor while taking on more responsibility provides the guidance needed for a position as a teaching professional.
You can combine coursework and clinical experience through your residency program, and you may be able to earn an income while doing so. By following Barton College’s teacher residency program, you can be eligible for your preliminary credential and become a teacher of record.
How to Apply for North Carolina Teaching Residency Programs at Barton
Applying for the North Carolina Teach Residency Program at Barton College, or any of the curricula we offer that you want to study, is easy. Visit our Admissions page, make an appointment for a campus tour, and speak with one of our counselors to learn more.
Unlock Your Teaching Potential Now!
If you are ready to start or further your teaching career by earning your North Carolina teacher licensure, contact the experts at Barton College today. Don’t put off your dreams of a career in teaching any longer. Let us help you.

