edPIRATE Requirements

edPIRATE is a master’s degree program that prepares candidates to serve in our rural partner districts of Greene, Lenoir, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrell and Washington counties located in eastern North Carolina.

edPIRATE provides

  • $41,000 living stipend (in exchange for a 3-year commitment after program completion)
    a Master’s of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Rural Educational Justice
  • Initial teacher certification in elementary education or middle school English/Language Arts or History
  • Comprehensive year-long internship experience four days a week
  • Mentorship from a highly effective mentor teacher
  • A potential job opportunity in one of our partner districts
  • On-going induction support for the first three years of initial teacher licensure
  • Opportunity for high-quality professional development through micro-credentials
  • Pre-service preparation specifically focused on the needs of rural communities and pedagogy that is humanizing, asset-based, and empowering

edPIRATE eligible candidates

  • Have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7
  • Do not have an initial teaching license (Permit-to-Teach or Emergency License is acceptable.)

edPIRATE program structure

  • Year 1 complete coursework for Master’s of Arts in Teaching Rural Education
    • Hybrid course delivery
    • Cohort model
    • Year-long supervised internship
    • Monthly PLCs (professional learning communities)
    • 2-day Summer Learning Exchange event
  • Year 2-4
    • Become the teacher-of-record for your own classroom in one of our partner districts
    • Receive ongoing induction support and coaching from edPIRATE staff

Commitments

Our edPIRATE graduates have a three year commitment to teach in one of our six partner districts.  (see induction support above)

Recruitment incentives

  • Applications received prior to January 15, 2025
    • Eligible for an application fee waiver
    • Cost of books covered for first summer session
  • Applications received prior to February 15, 2024
    • Eligible for an application fee waiver

How to apply

  • Complete the application for the General MAT in the College of Education on the Graduate School website.
  • Required documents to upload
    • College transcript(s) from institutions of higher education where you received a degree
    • 3 letters of recommendation from a colleague, supervisor, or personal reference (sample letter (PDF))
    • Applicant statement of purpose (brief essay)