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 (sorr@wcu.edu) for questions.
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
(amccord@wcu.edu) to find out how to get started at WCU!
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

teachercert@wcu.edu

828.227.7027

Sarah Orr – Administrative Support


Barbara Schade – Licensure Specialist


bschade@wcu.edu
Rachel Wike – Coordinator Distance and Special Programs


sorr@wcu.edu
rwike@wcu.edu
Annie McCord Muse – RALC and Distance Education Advisor

amccord@wcu.edu
Helpful Links

WCU’s Office of Alternative Licensure – alternativelicensure.wcu.edu

WCU’s Application

Distance Undergraduate https://www1.cfnc.org/applications/WCU_Dist_Ed/apply.html?application_id=3631

Graduate - http://www.wcu.edu/academics/wcu-graduate-school/prospectivegraduate-students/apply-now.asp

Licensure FAQs - http://www.wcu.edu/academics/departments-schoolscolleges/CEAP/ceap-depts/teacher-and-school-professionallicensure/licensure-faqs.asp

Regional Alternative Licensing Center - www.ralc.us

PRAXIS Information - https://www.ets.org/praxis

NC Department of Public Instruction - http://www.ncpublicschools.org/