BOONE—An alternative path to teacher preparation is offered at Appalachian State University through the Middle Secondary Master’s Certification program in the Reich College of Education.

The online certification program provides a quality alternative for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree, but whose original career path did not focus on teaching.

The certification program is a way to help college graduates who want to become teachers in high-need areas complete graduate-level courses online and receive recommendation for a North Carolina teaching license in middle grades math, science, language arts or social studies.

“This program offers a meaningful path to recommendation for a clear teaching license provided by a well-respected, high quality teacher preparation program,” said program coordinator Dr. Holly Thornton.

The certification program also is available for individuals who are interested in teaching secondary career and technical education (CTE) courses, including industrial, technology, marketing and business classes. Secondary math and science tracks will be available in the near future, Thornton said.

The coursework is offered online and includes 18 hours at the graduate level followed by a field experience to meet state licensure requirements. It is designed for those who are working in another field and wish to become a teacher or for those who have secured a job as a lateral entry teacher and are looking for a cohesive, highly quality, student-centered program to attain full licensure. This approach is an alternative to piecing together coursework through a Regional Alternative Licensing Centers (RALC) plan of study.

“Appalachian is committed to maintaining a high quality, student-centered teacher preparation program that is offered asynchronously online,” Thornton said. “Courses are taught by experienced, caring and connected professors at Appalachian. Our middle grades program has been nationally recognized as one of the best in the nation and the CTE program is focused on innovation and quality.”

Required coursework and the related field experience can be completed in four semesters. Individuals earning a graduate certificate may then apply for the master’s degree program in middle grades or secondary education at Appalachian where up to 18 hours of their certificate coursework may be counted towards a master’s degree.

For more information about the program, contact Thornton at [email protected].

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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