Offering an A-Level license for K-12 art, dance, or theatre, the post-baccalaureate licensure in the arts is ideal for residency teachers who are already teaching these subjects. However, it could also benefit someone interested in obtaining their initial license before they start teaching. 

Students in the program will either be hired by a school district to teach in the area they are pursuing licensure or pursuing licensure-only as a post baccalaureate student. This is an ideal pathway for graduates pursuing licensure since changes have occurred in the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction licensure, including the removal of lateral entry licensure and the induction of the Residency License.

For students hired by a school district to teach in the area they are pursuing licensure, the Residency License is a North Carolina-specific pathway. Residency licensing allows qualified individuals to begin teaching while completing North Carolina licensure requirements through an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP). 

Eligibility for a Residency License requires that the prospective teacher

• Has earned a bachelor’s degree
• Has earned a 2.7 cumulative GPA on their degree
• Has either completed 24 semester hours of coursework in the requested licensure area or passed the content area examination(s) required by the N.C. State Board of Education for the requested licensure area
• Is enrolled in an EPP
• Has completed pre-service requirements prior to teaching
• Has been offered employment by a Local Education Agency (LEA)

   

Those interested in the program should apply through the same process listed for initial licensure applicants. Candidates on a Residency License in NC will need a Meredith College Licensure Officer to verify their eligibility and sign their FORM RL (from NC-DPI).