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Secondary Education Degrees in North Carolina

If you’re looking for a career with opportunities for growth and the chance to make a difference every day, education may very well be the career field for you. Teaching is a calling, not just a career choice. Every day, you have the power to impact your students and give North Carolina a brighter future. North Carolina, in particular, has a significant need for educators. This state is home to many rural schools that often have a shortage of teachers.

There are plenty of organizations and associations that support secondary teachers in North Carolina. Best NC is a bipartisan group that unites teachers all over the state with the goal of improving education standards.

Secondary teachers in North Carolina may also get support from community groups, such as a North Carolina group that fights against standardized testing in the state.

With a secondary teaching degree, you may be ready to teach in a variety of settings. The state recently opened its first charter school, an alternative to the public school system in North Carolina.

Overview of Secondary Education Programs in North Carolina

The courses that you must take to become a teacher depend on which degree path you follow. If you already have a Bachelor’s degree in the subject that you want to teach, you may want to complete an alternative certification program. This option often takes less than one year, including student teaching. A Bachelor’s degree in secondary education and an academic area can prepare you for entry-level careers in high school teaching. Those who already work in the education field may be interested in graduate-level programs.

In each of these certification programs, you must explore teaching theories and advanced classroom techniques. Courses that may be part of your curriculum include Service Learning Teaching Methods for Educators, Instruction for Learners with Diverse Needs, Issues in Secondary Teaching, and Applied Research Methods in Secondary Education.

North Carolina legislators and organizations realize the importance of educators in this state. This has led to an increase in scholarships and grants. NC Public Schools provides information on loan forgiveness and scholarship programs, and you may also wish to consider the North Carolina Prospective Teachers Scholarship.

Working in Secondary Education in North Carolina

All teachers, including secondary teachers, must have a valid teaching license from the North Carolina State Board of Education. They require you to provide your transcripts, pass the PRAXIS-II, and pass a series of background checks.

North Carolina’s need for secondary teachers is growing rapidly. Between 2012 and 2022, O*Net expects to see a 10% increase in teaching jobs—a 4% increase over the national average. Their estimates show that the average North Carolina secondary teacher earns $42,200 per year (O*Net, 2014).

Education is a field with high standards and lots of opportunities for the right graduates. Take the first step to a career in this field now by reaching out to secondary education programs in North Carolina!