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 for

WCU Plan of Study Option 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 to find out how to get started at

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  ??

Helpful Contacts  Office of Alternative Licensure    Sarah Orr – Administrative Support   Barbara Schade – Licensure Specialist   Rachel Wike – Coordinator Distance and Special Programs   Annie McCord Muse – RALC and Distance Education Advisor 

Helpful Links  WCU’s Office of Alternative Licensure – alternativelicensure.wcu.edu  WCU’s Application  Distance Undergraduate  Graduate - graduate-students/apply-now.asphttp:// graduate-students/apply-now.asp  Licensure FAQs - colleges/CEAP/ceap-depts/teacher-and-school-professional- licensure/licensure-faqs.asphttp:// colleges/CEAP/ceap-depts/teacher-and-school-professional- licensure/licensure-faqs.asp  Regional Alternative Licensing Center -  PRAXIS Information -  NC Department of Public Instruction -