Lateral Entry Plan of Study
All plans of study (with the exception of Birth – Kindergarten, Counseling, Social Worker, Special Education) have two parts: Licensure Content Area, and Pedagogy. A list of colleges/universities offering courses that have been approved by the RALC to satisfy competencies for your plan of study is found on this page.
To find approved courses for your content area or pedagogy requirements, follow the steps below.
- Select your Lateral Entry Licensure or Pedagogy area from the drop-down menus on your left.
- Select the college or university where you want to take the class. Approved classes are listed by prefix and course title.
If you prefer to take a course not listed on this site, you must seek written approval from your RALC Director prior to enrollment. Written requests must include the competency you wish to satisfy, the name of the institution where you want to take the course, the course prefix, title, and official description from the institution’s catalog.
There are two parts to most plans of study: Pedagogy competencies (the science of teaching courses) and Licensure Area competencies (the content courses specific to your area of licensure). The areas of B-K, School Counseling, Pre-School Add-on, School Social Worker, Special Education/Adapted Curriculum, and Special Education/General Curriculum have a one-page plan of study because the pedagogy competencies are built-in with the Licensure Area competencies. All other licensure areas that the RALC evaluates have a two-page plan of study.
Courses must be taken to satisfy empty cells on your plan of study. Some competencies on your plan must be taken at a four-year university that has an approved teacher education program, while others can be met through the community college. Certain competencies can be met through your school system with staff development (CEU) credit. Your plan of study lists where each competency may be met.
Courses must be taken to satisfy empty cells on your plan of study. Some competencies on your plan must be taken at a four-year university that has an approved teacher education program, while others can be met through the community college. Certain competencies can be met through your school system with staff development (CEU) credit. Your plan of study lists where each competency may be met.
Yearly Requirements For Lateral Entry
Individuals must follow their plan of study as prescribed by the RALC. A minimum of six semester hours per year from the plan of study must be taken until the plan has been completed.
Competencies met by school system staff development do not carry semester hour credit and do not fulfill the six semester hour per year requirement. All coursework, testing, and any additional requirements for the licensure area must be completed within three school years. Local school systems will require proof of completion of annual requirements for continued employment. Employment decisions belong solely to the local school system.
Clearing The RALC Plan Of Study
- Complete all prescribed coursework on your RALC plan of study.
- Satisfy the NC licensure exams as outlined in the requirements letter from DPI’s Licensure Section.
- Teach successfully for one school year in a NC public or charter school as evidenced by a summary evaluation from your employing school system (all standards must be rated “Proficient” or higher).
Your employing school system will submit the following paperwork to the RALC:
- Request for Employed Teachers form
- Official transcripts of coursework taken to satisfy plan of study
- Copy of first page of official test scores
- Copy of summary evaluation from latest year of teaching
- Form C (if you have had 3 years of teaching experience)
- $55 fee, payable to NC DPI, if you completed requirements after your lateral entry license expired
- Request to add additional areas to license with supporting documentation, if applicable (including appropriate fee to NCDPI)
Once you complete the plan of study, the RALC will submit a recommendation to the DPI Licensure Section to convert the lateral entry to a Standard Professional Educator’s license.
Reciprocity
If you completed the RALC route to licensure and then moved to another state, you may need verification of the program that led to your NC Standard Professional Educator’s license.
Please send all requests for verification of completion to the following address:
NC Department of Public Instruction
Licensure Section
6365 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-6365