Residency Programs
Residency License Pathway Options
Teacher Licensure Certificates for Residency Educator Residency Program (non-certificate option)
We offer two certificate options, as well as a non-certificate licensure option for specific licensure areas, designed to support current residency licensed educators on their path to clear licensure in North Carolina. Both programs are structured with the working professional in mind and meet the requirements for North Carolina licensure. Compare options below.
| Program Feature | Undergraduate Certificate & Non-Certificate Plans | Graduate Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Transferability | courses do not transfer to graduate program | select classes may apply toward Master of Arts in Education program |
| Eligibility | Cumulative GPA of 2.7 upon conferral of degree OR 2.7 GPA on 18 of 24 qualifying credit hours OR passing test scores | Cumulative GPA of 2.7 upon conferral of degree and 24 hours of related content OR passing test scores |
| Credit hours | 18-21 credit hours | 18-21 credit hours |
| Program length | 6 semesters | 6 semesters |
| Tuition rate | $206.33 per credit hour; $618.99 per course | $304.84 per credit hour; $914.52 per course |
| GPA requirements | required to maintain 2.7 | required to maintain 3.0 |
| Flexibility | courses can be retaken and grade replaced in needed | grades below C lead to removal from the program |
| Licensure outcome | A level license through clearance of residency license | A level license through clearance of residency license |
Advantages of choosing ECU as your educator preparation program
Our program options for residency teachers include a fast-track program to assist teachers who hold a Residency License in meeting NC DPI Licensure requirements.
Fully online program to maximize accessibility
All coursework is delivered 100% online to provide maximum flexibility and access for working residency teachers. No campus visits required.
Formal academic advising model
Candidates receive dedicated one-on-one support from an academic advisor. Advising includes personalized course registration, ongoing progress tracking, and proactive guidance to help ensure on-time program completion and licensure readiness.
Affordable tuition rates
Benefit from ECU’s discounted distance education tuition, making professional advancement more affordable without comprising quality.
Structured, career-focused plan of study
Each program follows a carefully designed, fast-track plan of study with built-in milestones and licensure preparation — developed with the needs of residency-licensed educators in mind.
edTPA & licensure exam support
Candidates receive structured edTPA preparation, with submission embedded in the final course of the program. Access to 240Tutoring is provided to support studying for licensure exams, ensuring candidates are well equipped for successful licensure-clearance.
University-issued certificate issued at completion (for certificate licensure areas)
Upon successful completion of program coursework requirements, candidates are awarded an official certificate from East Carolina University. This credential formally recognizes your achievement and can be added to your resume as verification of your professional preparation and commitment to education.
Application Windows
- Fall Cohort: December 1-June 15
- Spring Cohort: July 1-October 15
- Birth-Kindergarten application window and cycle in continuous
Teacher Licensure Certificates for Residency
We offer undergraduate and graduate certificates in our residency license pathway.
Undergraduate Certificates
- Teacher Licensure in Elementary Education Certificate
- Elementary education licensure
- Teacher Licensure in Special Education Certificate
- Special education – adapted curriculum licensure
- Special education – general curriculum licensure
- Teacher Licensure in Middle and High School Education Certificate
- Middle grades language arts licensure
- Middle grades social studies licensure
- Middle grades math licensure
- Middle grades science licensure
- English (9-12) licensure
- Social studies (9-12) licensure
- Mathematics (9-12) licensure
- Science (9-12) licensure
- Business and information technology licensure
- Family and consumer sciences licensure
- Teacher Licensure in Birth through Kindergarten Education Certificate
- Birth-kindergarten licensure
Graduate Certificates
- Teacher Licensure in Elementary Education Advanced Certificate
- Elementary education licensure
- Teacher Licensure in Special Education Advanced Certificate
- Special education – adapted curriculum licensure
- Special education – general curriculum licensure
- Teacher Licensure in Middle and High School Education Advanced Certificate
- Middle grades language arts licensure
- Middle grades social studies licensure
- Middle grades math licensure
- Middle grades science licensure
- English (9-12) licensure
- Social studies (9-12) licensure
- Mathematics (9-12) licensure
- Science (9-12) licensure
- Business and information technology licensure
- Family and consumer sciences licensure
Licensure Clearance Requirements
- Complete all coursework required of the program with the required GPA before expiration of residency licensure year 3.
- Pass licensure area exam(s) for residency licensure subject area(s).
- Completed edTPA with a passing score.
- Note: The edTPA submission process is embedded within the Residency 2 Support course listed on the plan of study. Submission for scoring costs approximately $300.
Tuition Snapshot
East Carolina University offers competitive distance education tuition rates for working professionals pursuing residency licensure. Tuition rates vary depending on whether you enroll in the undergraduate or graduate certificate program.
Undergraduate Residency Certificate
- Estimated total tuition cost: $3,713.94 to $4,332.93 (based on 18-21 credit hours)
- Estimated cost per course: $618.99
- Credit hour rate: $206.33 for a student classified as in-state
Graduate Residency Certificate
- Estimated total tuition cost: $5,487.12 to $6,401.64 (based on 18-21 credit hours)
- Estimated cost per course: $914.52
- Credit hour rate: $304.84 for a student classified as in-state
Please note that additional costs will include the admissions application fee, Praxis or Pearson licensure exam(s) and the edTPA submission.
Educator Residency Program (non-certificate)
The following programs will continue to be supported through ECU’s successful Educator Residency Model:
- Physical education (PE)
- Health/physical education
- Spanish
- German
- French
- Art
- Theatre
These areas are offered as clearance of the residency license only and are not changing under the new certificate structure. Your path remains fully supported through ECU’s Educator Residency Model.
Tuition Cost at the Undergraduate Rate
- Estimated total tuition cost: $3,713.94
- Estimated cost per course: $618.99
- Credit hour rate: $206.33 for a student that is classified as in-state
The Educator Residency Model is 18 credit hours.
Licensure Clearance Requirements
- Complete all coursework required of the program with the required GPA before expiration of residency licensure year 3.
- Pass licensure area exam(s) for residency licensure subject area(s).
- Completed edTPA with a passing score.
- Note: The edTPA submission process is embedded within the Residency 2 Support course listed on the plan of study. Submission for scoring costs approximately $300.