The Elementary Education Residency Licensure Certificate opens the door to a rewarding career teaching Kindergarten through Sixth grade students. As a teacher resident, you’ll gain valuable hands-on classroom experience while completing supportive coursework designed to enhance your everyday instruction. This program prepares you to meet North Carolina Department of Public Instruction residency guidelines and certificate requirements, with additional state requirements leading to your official teaching license in North Carolina.
The Elementary Education Residency Certificate curriculum provides a course of study leading to the development of the general pedagogical competencies needed to become certified to teach by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Course work includes learning theory, instructional/educational technology, diverse learners, school policies and procedures, expectations and responsibilities of educators, teaching strategies/methods for specific content/specialty areas, formative/summative assessment, data informed practice, and classroom organization/management to enhance learning.
Graduates should meet general pedagogical competencies and demonstrate effective teaching practices. Additional requirements, such as pre-service training, passing the state required assessments, and the criteria included in the North Carolina Teacher Evaluation System, are required for licensure.
Our Elementary Education Residency Licensure program has a selective admissions process, which means not all students who apply to the program will be accepted. If you meet the criteria, please submit your admissions requirement checklist.
To be eligible for admission to our Elementary Education Residency Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
If you meet these qualifications and would like to proceed with your application, please complete the Blue Ridge Enrollment Checklist:
Confirming your residency status through the NC Residency Determination Service (RDS) is your first step.
Complete an online Blue Ridge Community College Application. When you complete your online application, select the General Occupational Technology—Pre-Residency Licensure program. A confirmation email will provide you with detailed steps on how to proceed with Admissions, including Orientation, Financial Aid, and Registration dates and times.
Submit official transcripts to the Registrar. High School, High School Equivalency, and College transcripts are all required.
Submit to our Registrars Office as an employment verification letter on official letterhead or your current employment contract.
Once we receive all your application materials, our admissions team will review your application. We will be in touch with your admission decision and provide you with clear, step-by-step instructions to help you get started on your educational journey.
Once you are a student in the Licensure program, please see this Licensure Timeline.
Financial Aid is filled with resources to help you figure out how to pay for your Blue Ridge Community College education. Please see how to get started at “Applying for Financial Aid.” Additionally, the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation offers a wide range of scholarship opportunities.
Dr. April Wright
Teacher Preparation and Licensure Faculty
828-694-4706
a.wright1@blueridge.edu
Office Location: Patton Building 252
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