Teacher Education Program

The School of Education is the academic unit responsible for all NCCU teacher education programs. Since its beginning, the University has prepared students to be teachers, providing them with a liberal arts education. Students who want to earn a teaching license, whether at the undergraduate or graduate level, must meet the program requirements in the teaching specialty area(s) and in professional education courses.

Undergraduate and Licensure-only Division

Sharon Spencer, Assistant Dean/Director of Teacher Education
Telephone: (919) 530-5208
Fax: (919)530-5279
Email: sspencer@nccu.edu

The School of Education, the unit responsible for the NCCU Teacher Education Program, provides majors leading to licensure in undergraduate elementary education and middle grades education. Other majors leading to licensure in secondary, occupational, and special areas of education are offered cooperatively with 14 other departments with the School of Education handling admissions to teacher education and providing the majority of the instruction in professional education. The goal of the School of Education’s undergraduate program is to be consistently responsive to the needs of students enrolled in our Teacher Education Program, the school systems in which our graduates gain employment, and the standards of state and national accrediting bodies in professional education.

Due to national and state accreditation standards, program curricula and requirements are subject to change. Contact your appropriate program coordinator for the most current information.

Admissions

The undergraduate Division of Education follows the University’s policies for admission. Generally, during the first two years, the student completes the University’s General Education Curriculum (GEC). The student is eligible for formal admission to the undergraduate Teacher Education Program (TEP), a state requirement, if the applicant completes:

All course work in the GEC.
Course work with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
Three English requirements in the General Education Curriculum with at least a minimum grade of “C” in each course.
The Praxis I (PPST paper-pencil or computer-based version) at a level required by the N. C. Department of Public Instruction (for the SAT/ACT alternatives, please see the program coordinator).
The TEP application (available from the appropriate program coordinator).

In addition to the University’s requirements for graduation, students seeking North Carolina licensure must do the following:

Complete the professional education program at NCCU, including student teaching.
Earn passing scores on the specialty area tests of the Praxis II, if required in program area.
Receive the recommendation for licensure from the faculty advisor in the licensure area.
Submit the appropriate licensure forms and processing fee to the School of Education Office of Teacher Education.

To obtain licensure information, prospective teacher education majors should visit the School of Education website (www.nccu.edu/soe) before contacting the School of Education’s Office of Teacher Education. Specific specialty area and education requirements may be obtained from the academic department chairs or teacher education coordinators.