Undergraduate students in the teacher licensure program major in the subject they intend to teach and add on courses to earn their teaching license. By combining courses in the student’s content area, psychology, teaching methodology and liberal studies, they develop a broad knowledge base that will serve them well in the classroom. Furthermore, students practice what they are learning in their classes by completing field work in the Asheville area's public schools. Our teacher licensure program is for undergraduate students and for post-baccalaureate students.
Through the UNC Asheville teacher licensure program you will have the opportunity to pursue the subject you love while attaining a license to teach it! In four years you can graduate with both a bachelor’s degree in a specific subject and a teaching license.
With a liberal arts foundation, UNC Asheville graduates are teachers who have broad perspectives; who think critically, reflectively and creatively; who are humane and committed to meeting the learning needs of all students; and who guide students using active inquiry to become effective and productive citizens in the 21st century.
UNC Asheville licensure candidates are grounded in content knowledge through their undergraduate Integrative Liberal Studies core courses and their content area majors (many of which include undergraduate research). Candidates grow in their knowledge and development of skills related to pedagogy through early and continuous field experiences in diverse settings and methods coursework in which they have opportunities to engage in various observing, planning and teaching activities. Most of this pedagogical skill learning takes place in Education courses, including the capstone professional year field experience. Candidates grow in professionalism through their study of the role of professional teachers throughout the program from their very first course to their very last. Candidates' experiences in the field are intentionally assigned to ensure diverse placements. All licensure programs emphasize flexibility and problem-solving strategies, the use of technology and other best practices to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Students at University of North Carolina at Asheville have reduced the cost of their program using these methods. Check with University of North Carolina at Asheville to see if you can, too!
Amount
Description
$800 - $3000
Grants, Stipends, Scholarships
The Department of Education offers scholarships to students who have completed the introductory education courses. Scholarships are worth $800 - $3000.
Students may apply for scholarships in their major department and university-wide scholarships.
Art (K-12) Biology (9-12) Chemistry (9-12) Earth Science (9-12) Elementary Education (K-6) English (9-12) Language Arts, Middle Grades (6-9) Latin (9-12) Math (9-12) Math (9-12) Physics (9-12) Science (9-12) Science, Middle Grades (6-9) Social Studies (9-12) Social Studies, Middle Grades (6-9) Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12) Theater Arts (K-12)
Program Overview
At UNC Asheville, Education is an area of concentration, in addition to the academic major. This structure reflects the university’s liberal arts model, and provides candidates with a strong content knowledge base as well as their NC teaching license. Most undergraduate students enter the teacher licensure program during their sophomore year, or once they have taken 30 college credits. During the first two years, and the first semester of year three, candidates take a combination of teacher licensure, major content and liberal arts general education courses. Year four of the program is called the professional year. In the fall semester candidates complete the capstone teaching methods course appropriate for their licensure area and begin working with the cooperating teacher with whom they will intern in the spring semester. The spring semester of year four is dedicated to the 16-week full-time clinical practice internship. All candidates have the option of completing their program on a part- or full-time basis.
Program Hallmarks
UNC Asheville prides itself on providing relevant and meaningful fieldwork for licensure candidates. Most courses have a field experience component. The field work candidates complete becomes gradually more intense as they proceed through the program. Field experience activities include observing, assisting, tutoring, creating and implementing assessments, and teaching lessons. The field experience sequence culminates with the professional year, comprised of a capstone methods course followed by a semester of full-time student teaching with the same P-12 clinical faculty member. This structure provides a year long, in-depth experience and develops a strong relationship between the candidate and public school faculty. Student teachers receive feedback and support from their assigned university supervisor and mentor classroom teacher.
A strength of the UNC Asheville licensure program is that candidates complete field placements in a variety of schools. Each candidate tracks the experiences they have with students and reflects on their experiences with the ethnic, racial, linguistic, gender, academic and socioeconomic diversities encountered. Many of our courses contain components and experiences that address diversity. Department personnel work to develop opportunities for candidates and department faculty to interact with diverse members of the community, sponsor special events, work with the Office of Teacher Recruitment to develop strategies for recruiting diverse candidates, and facilitate professional development for department members aimed at the development of diversity and cultural competence that can transfer to the classroom for the provision of multiple perspectives.
Each teacher licensure candidate is assigned a Department of Education advisor to meet with at least once a semester. The Department of Education hires accomplished teacher licensure students each semester to serve as peer mentors. Student teachers receive support and guidance from both their mentor classroom teacher and a university supervisor. An Induction Committee provides forums for initially licensed teachers/alumni on such topics as student motivation, time management, new teacher coping skills, and National Board Certification.
The UNC Asheville Department of Education operates according to a Conceptual Framework that addresses three tenets: Content, Pedagogy, and Professionalism. Licensure candidates receive a rigorous, balanced education. Department faculty aim to develop teachers of broad perspective who think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, and participate actively in their schools and communities. The objective is to provide each candidate the best possible opportunity to acquire the skills, knowledge and dispositions necessary to pursue their chosen career as an effective teacher in a diverse and changing society. The Department of Education uses a comprehensive assessment system to strengthen the use of data for improving candidate teaching and learning. Licensure program coordinators study these data with department colleagues, university Arts and Sciences liaisons, and P-12 partners to determine action steps for program improvement.
Stats
Gender
Male
Female
31%
69%
Ethnicity
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Asian
Black
Hispanic/Latino
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
White
Two or more races
0%
0%
4%
5%
0%
85%
5%
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