How To Become a Teacher Online in North Carolina

If you're interested in pursuing a teaching career in North Carolina, you may wonder about the process. Specifically, what kind of training is involved? And can you complete the requirements to earn a teaching license online?

There are various pathways to becoming a teacher in North Carolina, but the most common and direct career path is to earn a bachelor's degree in teaching. You can do this online, though you'll have to earn student teaching experiences in a classroom as part of your degree program. You will also need to pass various certification exams, which you may be able to complete online.

Keep reading to learn more about becoming a teacher online.

Steps for Becoming a Teacher Online in North Carolina

Professional instructors in North Carolina must meet all guidelines laid out by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). Let's look at the steps you can take to pursue licensure as a teacher in the state.

1. Determine Your Area of Focus

As an aspiring teacher, you know you could choose from many different subject areas and grade levels. You'll want to think about the teaching specialization that most interests you.

Though your interests may change as you complete your licensure program, having a specialization in mind will help you determine which degree to pursue and which classes to take. It will also help you determine which licensure area to prepare for.

2. Gain an Undergraduate Degree Online

All North Carolina teachers must hold at least a bachelor's degree. Most pursue a bachelor's degree in an education-related field, as these programs provide necessary coursework and content area training to help students pass licensure exams.

Many teaching degree programs can be completed online, though you may need to fulfill some in-person requirements to graduate. Completing online coursework can make education more accessible for busy adults or those who want to attend a school far from their current locations.

3. Participate in an Educator Preparation Program

An educator preparation program, also called a teacher preparation program, is designed to prepare students to be teachers in North Carolina. These programs may be transfer-friendly associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, or post-baccalaureate certificates.

Some of these programs can be completed online. If you choose one of these programs when pursuing your bachelor's degree, you will be prepared to become a licensed teacher by the time you graduate. If your online degree is in another field, you must complete a post-baccalaureate certificate from an approved educator preparation program before you pursue licensure.

4. Complete Required Teaching Hours

Your teacher preparation program will include student teaching experiences and other hands-on classroom requirements. These experiences give aspiring teachers a chance to put what they have learned into practice.

The number of student teaching and observation hours will vary depending on your degree or certificate program. That said, the more fieldwork opportunities you can complete, the more prepared you will be for becoming a teacher.

5. Pass Teaching Assessments

After completing coursework and fieldwork requirements and graduating with your degree, you must pass teaching assessments to pursue licensure. The exact tests you take will depend on your teaching specialization. The following exams are required in North Carolina:

Pearson Exams

Pearson Exams are administered by Pearson Education. There are two Pearson exams you may have to take as you pursue a North Carolina teaching certification: the Foundations of Reading test and the General Curriculum test. Both exams are completed online; they may take up to four hours and fifteen minutes.

Praxis Exams

A variety of Praxis exams are available. Most are only required for specific licensure areas, like middle school education, secondary education, all grades, world languages, and special services personnel. Each exam varies in length. Exams can be completed online or at a testing facility.

6. Pass a Background Check

Before becoming a teacher, you will have to pass a background check. This check will be conducted by your local board of education.

You will be fingerprinted at no cost as part of the background check. Once you pass the check, you will have met all requirements to become a teacher in North Carolina.

7. Obtain Teaching Certification

The last step of the process is becoming licensed to teach in North Carolina. You can apply for a license online through the NCDPI Licensure System.

Once you create an account, the system will guide you through the application process.

Online Bachelor's in Education Degree Programs in North Carolina

You can launch your teaching career by pursuing various teacher education programs: a bachelor's or master's degree in education or a post-baccalaureate certificate program. Let's look at some teacher preparation programs in North Carolina that lead to a bachelor's degree, which you can pursue online.

University of North Carolina Wilmington � BA in Elementary Education

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public school in the University of North Carolina System. It provides online programs for distance education students, including a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education. Students in this program complete all coursework online and then fulfill student teaching experiences locally in partner elementary schools.

Campbell University � BS in Elementary Education

This private school is located in Buies Creek. One of many online degrees available is a Bachelor of Science in education studies with a concentration in elementary education. A concentration in special education is also available. All courses are completed online and offered in convenient eight-week sessions. Students complete required field experiences at schools in their local area.

NC Central University � BA in Middle Grades Education

North Carolina Central University, located in Durham, is a public school with an array of online degree offerings. Students in this school can complete an online Bachelor of Arts in middle grades education. The program prepares students to teach middle-school-aged children in grades six through nine. Concentrations in science and social studies are available.

Can You Teach in North Carolina Without a Teaching Degree?

Pursuing a teaching program is generally the most direct way to become a teacher. That said, it's possible to become a teacher with a degree in any field.

Some aspiring school teachers major in the subject they plan to teach, such as English, Spanish, history, science, or mathematics. Others may earn a degree in a field related to teaching, such as psychology or behavioral science. Still others major in a completely unrelated field.

Regardless of your degree program, you must meet certain requirements, as outlined above, to become a North Carolina teacher. If you pursue an unrelated bachelor's degree, you must enroll in a post-baccalaureate program later to gain student teaching experience and take courses specific to helping you pass teacher licensure exams.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Teacher in North Carolina?

The time it takes to become a professional educator in North Carolina depends on how long it takes to fulfill educational requirements and get licensed. As noted, those pursuing a bachelor's degree in education follow the most direct path.

If you complete a teacher preparation program or similar education degree, you could begin teaching in about four to five years. If you earn a degree in another field and later enroll in a post-baccalaureate or master's degree program, it will likely take about five to six years to become a teacher.