Accelerated Bachelors and Licensure in Education Programs

Adapted Curriculum Licensure now available 100% Online

Program Entry Terms

• K-6 Elementary
  • • Entry Term: Fall and Spring
• Adapted Curriculum
  • • Entry Term: Summer, Fall, and Spring
• K-12 Special Education
  • • Entry Term: Fall and Spring

• • Adapted Curriculum Licensure Only Program

    This accelerated licensure program prepares you to teach students with significant and complex disabilities from kindergarten through age 21. If you love working with students who have autism (requiring substantial support), moderate/severe intellectual disability, significant delays in communication, and complex physical/sensory needs, the field of special education needs you!

    Benefits of the Program

    • Designed in partnership with Wake County Public Schools Special Education Department.
    • Supported by WCPSS with student teaching placements and guaranteed contracts upon successful completion of the program. (You do not have to be currently employed by WCPSS, nor are you obligated to work in WCPSS upon completion)
    • We work with all surrounding counties and districts in North Carolina.
    • Designed for working adults with family obligations: come to campus for class one evening per week with all other coursework online OR complete the program fully online; course assignments are designed so that they can be completed in your current classroom if you are an instructional assistant.
    • Special reduced tuition rate to support the North Carolina teaching profession.
    • Three semesters to full licensure.
  • Dual Licensure Program

    This accelerated program prepares you to teach the elementary grades (K-6) and special education grades K-12. You will complete this program with licensure in both areas. Your special education licensure will be in K-12 General Curriculum (students with mild and high-incidence disabilities such as learning disability, ADHD, and high-functioning autism).

    Benefits of the Program

    • Dual licensure offers maximum flexibility, marketability, and job security for teachers.
    • We will arrange field experiences to meet your needs and interests. If you are not working in a school, we will ensure that you gain experience in classrooms throughout the program.
    • For field placements and student teaching, we work with all surrounding counties (Wake, Chatham, Orange, Durham, Alamance, Granville, Franklin, Johnston, Harnett, etc.)
    • Designed for working adults with family obligations: classes are scheduled in the evenings, and some content will be online.
    • Course assignments are designed so that they can be completed in your current classroom if you are an instructional assistant.
  • Elementary Licensure

    This accelerated program prepares you to teach the elementary grades (K-6). You will complete this program with the knowledge and skills to teach all of the elementary content areas (literacy, math, science, and social studies).

    Benefits of the Program

    • We will arrange field experiences to meet your needs and interests. If you are not working in a school, we will ensure that you gain experience in classrooms throughout the program.
    • For field placements and student teaching, we work with all surrounding counties (Wake, Chatham, Orange, Durham, Alamance, Granville, Franklin, Johnston, Harnett, etc.)
    • Designed for working adults with family obligations: classes are scheduled in the evenings, and some content will be online.
    • Course assignments are designed so that they can be completed in your current classroom if you are an instructional assistant
  • Bachelor’s Degree with Elementary-Only Licensure

    This degree program prepares you to teach the elementary grades (K-6). You will complete this program with the knowledge and skills to teach all of the elementary content areas (literacy, math, science, and social studies).

    Benefits of the Program

    • We will arrange field experiences to meet your needs and interests. If you are not working in a school, we will ensure that you gain experience in classrooms throughout the program.
    • For field placements and student teaching, we work with all surrounding counties (Wake, Chatham, Orange, Durham, Alamance, Granville, Franklin, Johnston, Harnett, etc.)
    • Designed for working adults with family obligations: classes are scheduled in the evenings, and some content will be online.
    • Course assignments are designed so that they can be completed in your current classroom if you are an instructional assistant.

The Residency License is a North Carolina-specific pathway. Troops to Teachers participants may use residency licensing as one route to a teaching career. Residency licensing allows qualified individuals to begin teaching while completing North Carolina licensure requirements. Four “partners” are involved:

• the individual,
• a recognized Educator Preparation Program (EPP),
• the Local Education Agency (LEA),
• and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Source: NC DPI

Students must meet the following requirements to be accepted into the William Peace University Residency Licensure program:

• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution
• Undergraduate degree of 2.7 or higher
  • • If you do not have a 2.7 you may take 6 hours of coursework prior to admittance to the Residency Program to reestablish your GPA
• Qualifying Academic Major from BA degree OR 24-hours of relevant coursework OR passing scores on the NC State Board of Education required examination(s) in the requested licensure area
• Full time employment in an approved North Carolina public school (Verification form of employment required)
  • • Enroll in the licensure program that matches your residency position

Program Entry Terms

• K-6 Elementary
  • • Entry Term: Fall and Spring
• Adapted Curriculum
  • • Entry Term: Summer and Spring
• K-12 Special Education
  • • Entry Term: Fall and Spring

Program Requirements

• All testing requirements as required by North Carolina State Board of Education must be passed prior to enrolling in EDU 480 Professional Teaching Seminar
• Must earn a C or better in all courses and maintain a 2.7 GPA
• Must demonstrate proficiency on the North Carolina Educator Evaluation System from both the principal and the field placement supervisor
• Professional Teaching cut score as required by NC SBE

If you meet these requirements, please complete the Residency Verification Form and submit when you Apply to the university.

	Jennifer Russell, Ed.D Department Chair and Associate Professor of Education Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Russell and her family have been in North Carolina for six years. She has been teaching her entire career, having began as a Chicago Public School teacher, working with elementary students for 12 years. Preparing future teachers is truly her passion and she has had the pleasure of doing that for the last 11 years. She and her husband, as well as their two boys, reside in Clayton, NC. Her favorite hobby is painting. She also enjoys eating at the local Italian spot, Vivace Education BA Elementary Education, Saint Xavier College MA Teaching and Leadership, Saint Xavier College Ed.D. Curriculum and Instruction, Aurora University
	Amanda Bock, Ph.D. ​Assistant Professor of Special Education Dr. Bock grew up in Cary, NC. Prior to joining the faculty at WPU, she taught special education in a rural school district in Georgia. She currently resides in Chapel Hill and loves to read, learn, and go on adventures with her children. She’s also a pretty big yogi! Education BA Psychology, UNC-Chapel Hill M.Ed. Learning Disabilities, Columbus State University Ph.D. Education, UNC-Chapel Hill
	Robin Vincent, M.Ed. Assistant Professor of Education and Field Placement Coordinator Professor Vincent is from Farmville, VA and came to Raleigh to attend Meredith College. She began her teaching career 26 years ago teaching in the Wake County Public School System. She has spent the past 16 years in higher education as an instructor, supervisor of student-teachers, and field placement coordinator. She has three daughters ranging from ages 12 to 16. She and her husband love to dream about winning the lottery and having a home in the mountains, as well as the beach….and a driver to get them there! Education BS Education and Child Development, Meredith College M.Ed. Literacy, Meredith College

Program Entry Terms

• K-6 Elementary
  • • Entry Term: Fall and Spring
• Adapted Curriculum
  • • Entry Term: Summer and Spring
• K-12 Special Education
  • • Entry Term: Fall and Spring