The North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges has approved Central Piedmont Community College to offer two, new transfer degree programs in teacher preparation – an Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation and an Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation. The programs will open Aug. 10, the start of Central Piedmont’s fall semester.
These two, new transfer degree programs will help create a larger pipeline for future teachers in North Carolina’s elementary, middle and high schools, addressing the state’s critical teacher shortage, particularly in its more rural counties.
“Our new transfer degrees create seamless pathways for our students to transition into bachelor degree programs and successful teaching careers,” said Edith McElroy, associate vice president for transfer and pre-college. “This seamless pathway strategy will help ensure the North Carolina K-12 education system flourishes and is recognized as a national model for teacher recruitment and preparation in the United States.”
The degrees require 45 semester hours of general education courses and 14 hours of education courses, including one course with a focus on the science of reading instruction.
In addition to creating the two, new degree programs, the State Board of Community Colleges also approved corresponding teacher preparation pathways for high school students enrolled in their respective college’s Career & College Promise program. Career & College Promise is a dual enrollment program that gives eligible high school students the opportunity to get a jump-start and earn free college credit toward a two-year degree at Central Piedmont.
“The college is excited to offer a Career & College Promise teacher pathway,” McElroy said. “Now, the journey to becoming a teacher in Mecklenburg County can begin as early as high school, creating a robust, diverse pool of teachers who are even more prepared to serve all areas of the state in the future.”
For more information about the new associate degree transfer programs in teacher preparation at Central Piedmont, visit https://www.cpcc.edu/programs/teacher-preparation.
Everyone has a favorite teacher who helped shape their life — you could be that teacher for a future student. Teachers are in-demand, especially in North Carolina, so take advantage of the opportunities here at Central Piedmont to start that career. Earn an Associate of Arts or Science in the teacher preparation pathway which can help save time and money.