Developed in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) through the Cultivating Carolina Classrooms program, the EPP certificate offers a streamlined pathway to elementary education licensure:

• Participants can complete the six required courses in as little as 18 months. All courses are offered online, although individuals can take some in person if they choose.
   
• Participants work in cohorts with others in the program, and the small class size fosters a collaborative approach and a supportive learning environment.
   
• Faculty are licensed teachers with extensive experience in elementary school environments who serve as mentors to participants.
   
• Assignments are coordinated with Wake County Public School System curriculum and are grade-specific so instruction can be tailored to the needs of each participant.
   
• The estimated cost of the program is less than $2,500, and scholarships and other financial assistance are available.

Individuals must meet the following eligibility standard for admission to the program:

• A U.S. citizen or eligible for employment
• Earned a bachelor's degree with a 2.7 GPA or higher. The degree must meet the 24 hours of general education required by DPI. Provisional admission may be granted with additional coursework for those whose GPA was less than 2.7.
• Letter of employment or promised placement from a local educational agency (LEA) or public school unit (PSU) in North Carolina
• Completed professional development training required by the LEA or PSU

To remain eligible once admitted to the program, individuals must remain employed as a lead teacher in a DPI-approved LEA, earn a "C" or higher grade on all courses and maintain a GPA of 2.7 or higher.

Before applying for licensure, participants also must submit a portfolio of work for approval and pass standardized tests.

Follow these steps to apply to the program:

1. Complete the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) form to find out if you qualify for in-state tuition. You will need your Social Security number and driver's license number.
2. Create an College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) account. You can use the same username and password for both RDS and CFNC.
3. Click on "Apply to College"
4. Go to "Application Hub"
5. Click on "Start an Application"
   – Enter your RDS certification number
   – For campus option, select "NCCCS Residency Licensure Program" and/or "Alternative NC Teaching Licensure: NCCS Cultivating Carolina Classrooms"
6. Click "Apply"
7. In the "Educator Prep Program" field, select Wake Technical Community College. (You can select up to three community college options.)
8. Complete and submit the application

After you submit your application, a representative from the North Carolina Community College System will contact you regarding your next steps.

For more information, contact K-12 Education Director Ileetha Groom at [email protected] or 919-866-5433.

Frequently asked questions