Welcome!

Residency licensure teachers in the UNCW Watson College of Education enroll in our Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs to earn both a graduate degree and complete the requirements for residency licensure.

MAT programs are available in the following licensure areas:

The benefits of completing a MAT program at UNCW include:

  • Personalized residency licensure support and advising
  • Fast-track program completion options designed for residency teachers
  • Financial aid and scholarships may be available
  • Field experiences and the full-time internship may be completed in your classroom
  • Small class sizes and all classes offered online
  • edTPA support embedded within each program
  • MAT programs serve residency licensure teachers located anywhere in NC

Note to school employees:  MAT programs at UNCW are available to residency licensure teachers, teacher assistants, and other school employees who already hold a Bachelor’s degree. Students must reside in the state of North Carolina.

Residency Licensure Eligibility

Residency licensure teachers must meet the requirements listed below in order for UNCW to sign an RL form. The RL form is required for the school district to request residency licensure. 

Residency licensure eligibility requirements:

  • Full-time employment as a lead teacher in a classroom in your licensure area
  • Acceptance to, and continued participation in the MAT program in your licensure area
  • Minimum GPA of 2.7 or higher on your undergraduate degree
  • 24 hours of relevant coursework OR passing scores on the appropriate licensure exams

To check residency licensure eligibility, please complete this survey to upload a copy of your undergraduate transcript and/or test scores. Teachers will be asked to self-identify the 24 hours of relevant coursework, and those courses will be verified by the program faculty. Note the 24 hours of relevant coursework for elementary education includes 2 courses each in math, science, English, and social studies. 

Residency licensure teachers should discuss their eligibility with the licensure specialist in their school district. Districts may choose to hire teachers for one year on a Permit to Teach and/or Emergency License to provide time to meet the residency licensure eligibility requirements.  Teachers may be eligible to begin MAT programs while hired on one of these licenses.

For more information, please contact:

Nicole Geczi Contact Information