Post Baccalaureate Teacher Residency Licensure Certificate
Become a Licensed Teacher in North Carolina
NCDPI-Approved Program
16 Weeks of Student Teaching
Choose from 7 Licensure Areas
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If you’d like to learn more about Methodist University’s application process, admissions requirements, tuition and financial aid or specific program details, fill out this form, and we’ll be in touch shortly.
- Duration 2 years
- Cost per Credit $545
- Credit Hours 18–22
Program Benefits
- Full- and part-time scheduling
- 6 start dates per year
- No application fee
- Mentorship from expert faculty
- Eight-week sessions
Qualify for K–12 Licensure in One Year
The online Post Baccalaureate Residency Licensure Certificate is designed to provide an alternative pathway to initial teaching licensure.* The curriculum focuses on pedagogy to ensure you’re prepared to be an effective educator in your chosen area. With seven concentration options available, this certificate includes 18–22 credit hours. You will complete all state-required licensure exams throughout your program, graduating as a qualified professional educator.
Because this program features online coursework, you have the flexibility to study while continuing to teach. You will be assigned both a faculty supervisor and a site-based mentor during your practicum experience for guidance and support. Unlike most teacher residency licensure programs, MU doesn’t require students to complete a master’s degree. To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree and be employed or seeking employment with a public or public charter school in North Carolina.
*Students must be enrolled in or attached to the Post Baccalaureate Residency Licensure Certificate program, take and pass all licensure exams within a three-year period, and be employed at a sponsor school throughout the program.
Meet the Demand for Qualified Educators
Licensed teachers are needed in K–12 classrooms across the state of North Carolina, and our teacher residency program prepares you to fill these essential roles. Depending on the concentration area you choose, you will be qualified to teach elementary school, special education, middle grades, high school, art, physical education/health education, or music.
Employment in education, training, and library occupations is projected to grow 10% through 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.1 Factors like climbing student enrollment numbers and teachers reaching retirement age are driving this demand.
Careers and SalariesChoose From 7 Licensure Areas
- Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary Education
- Special Education (K-12)
- Education by Subject Area (Art, Music, Physical Education/Health Education)
This concentration features coursework in reading fundamentals, mathematics education, behavior management, and more. If you choose this option, you will leave the program fully certified to teach in an elementary classroom.
- Middle Grades – ELA
- Middle Grades – Math
- Middle Grades – Science
- Middle Grades – Social Studies
The concentration in Middle Grades explores topics like literacy, instructional technology, and more. Upon program completion, you will be fully certified to teach in a middle school classroom.
- Secondary Education – General Science
- Secondary Education – Math
- Secondary Education – Social Studies
- Secondary Education – ELA
In this concentration, you will study lesson planning, assessment, instructional technology, and more for secondary education. If you choose this option, you will be fully certified to teach high school.
The 18-21 credit hour concentration in Special Education (K–12) focuses on curriculum planning and instructional practices for students with disabilities as well as legal, ethical, and historical elements of special education. Upon program completion, you will be fully certified to teach in a special education classroom.
This concentration features a curriculum that explores art education theory and practice. If you choose this option, you will be fully certified to teach in an art education program.
The Music Education (K–12) concentration includes coursework in world music, conducting, music theory, and more. Upon program completion, you will be fully certified to teach in roles like elementary music teacher, band director, and choral director.
This concentration focuses on instructional methods for physical activity settings, achievement-based curriculum design, and more. You will leave the program fully certified to teach physical education or health education.
Complete Specialized Education Coursework
18–22 credit hours
The online Post Baccalaureate Residency Licensure Certificate program focuses on pedagogical practices for effective teaching in seven content areas. Students choose from options in elementary education, middle grades, secondary education, special education, music, art, and physical education/health.
A 16-week student teaching experience is also built into the curriculum, which you will complete in your current classroom. Throughout the program, you will complete all state-required licensure exams to graduate as a licensed North Carolina educator.
Explore CurriculumStart Your Application Today
Free to apply
No GRE/GMAT
Transfer up to three courses
To apply for the online Post Baccalaureate Residency Licensure Certificate program, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, official transcripts, prerequisite courses, and a GPA of at least 2.7. In addition, you’ll need to submit a completed residency licensure form. Applicants must also be employed or seeking employment with a public or public charter school in North Carolina.
View the Application ProcessBecome a Licensed Educator for an Affordable Price
$9,000–$11,000 total tuition
$545 per credit hour
At Methodist University, we are dedicated to making your education as affordable as possible. If you or a family member are a veteran or active-duty service member, visit our Military Support page to explore the benefits available to you.
View Tuition DetailsWhat You’ll Learn
In this program, you will build the specific skill sets you need to thrive as a licensed teacher in your chosen concentration area. You will study online while completing in-person practicum experiences to apply what you learn.
Program Outcomes
When you complete your online teacher residency program, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate leadership in the classroom, school, and profession
- Establish a respectful environment for a diverse population of students
- Understand the content you teach
- Facilitate learning for your students
- Reflect on your practice
Faculty Spotlight
Jennifer Graham, M.A.
Education Instructor
Jennifer L. Graham has been serving the Fayetteville, North Carolina region as an educator since 1995. She has spent 27 years in public schools, where she has served as a teacher, instructional coach, and dreamer of learning experiences for teachers, which led to her most recent role as the Innovation and Strategic Development Facilitator for Cumberland County Schools. She describes herself as a learner first, and strives to help teachers find exciting ways to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of ALL students. To this end, Ms. Graham joined Methodist University in 2019 as an Adjunct Instructor for prospective and Residency Licensed teachers.
Jennifer understands her responsibility to help teachers prepare students for the world they will live and work in. She has served on the NC Digital Learning Plan Work Group, she is one of three original NC Digital Ambassadors, and she presents regularly for NCTIES, NCBOLD, and NCASCD conferences. She recently completed extensive training to become one of North Carolina’s first ReThinkEd Blended Learning Facilitators.
Ms. Graham is also certified as a PLC+ trainer, and is completing certification in K-5 LETRS and LETRS for Administrators. Ms. Graham was a finalist for the inaugural Burroughs-Wellcome Career Award for Math and Science Teachers. She was Teacher of the Year for Gallberry Farm Elementary, and the first runner-up for Cumberland County Schools Teacher of the Year. She connects with educators around the world on Twitter through her handle, @jlg523.
Learn From Teaching Experts
Our faculty have North Carolina teaching certificates in the areas in which they teach. MU instructors are full-time university professors as well as adjunct faculty currently working in the public school system. This combination of perspectives gives you access to current research and connections to relevant K–12 practices in the field.
The online teacher residency program is grounded in coaching and mentorship. Our dedicated instructors will work closely with you to offer guidance and provide feedback and support throughout your program.
- Personalized attention
- Relevant experience
- Remote coaching sessions
- Real-time feedback
Enjoy an online learning environment that offers the same quality as in-person courses, including dedicated faculty members and an overall caring, friendly atmosphere for achieving your professional and personal goals.
You’ll also have access to all of MU’s academic support services. That means you’ll get personalized assistance you need, such as access to the tutoring and writing centers. Experience a distinctive education in a flexible environment that fits your schedule.
Explore Online LearningYou can earn a high-quality education from a private institution without worrying about the cost. As a Yellow Ribbon school and a university where 97% of students qualify for financial aid, Methodist is committed to affordability.
Learn more about federal student loans and grants, military benefits, and scholarship opportunities. We’re proud to make your goals as affordable as possible.
Financial Aid OptionsFrequently Asked Questions
Have other questions not answered here? Request more information or call 910.212.4956.
You can complete the program in as little as one year, but most students complete their program in two years. To see the curriculum, view our courses page.
Tuition is $545 per credit hour. You’ll need to complete 18–22 credit hours for an estimated total of $9,810–$11,990, not including financial aid. You can review all tuition costs on the tuition page.
*This is an estimate of the total tuition based on the current school year and is subject to change.
Methodist University’s Post Baccalaureate Residency Licensure Certificate is offered as an approved educator preparation program through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and is an alternative pathway to initial teaching licensure.
The first step is to start your application.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree, official transcripts, residency licensure form signed by the applicant and sponsoring school system, prerequisite coursework, and a GPA of at least 2.7. Applicants must also be employed or seeking employment with a public or public charter school in North Carolina. You can learn more on the admissions page.
You’ll complete six to eight courses to earn the Post Baccalaureate Residency Licensure Certificate. You can learn more about coursework on the curriculum page.