Applicants must be hired on a Residency License or be eligible for a position on a Residency License. To be eligible for a position on a Residency License, a candidate must have the following:

• A degree with a cumulative 2.70 or higher GPA AND
• One of the following: 1) a degree in your subject area, 2) 24 credit hours in your subject area, or 3) the passing licensure exam in your area

Program cost is $1,250 every 3 months. Total cost depends on how long it takes to complete, but total cost for candidates averages about $5,000.

No, this program does not accept federal financial aid at this time.

Pathway to Practice is a self-paced program, which means that licensed candidates complete modules within the program at their own speed. They may choose to move more quickly through one module, but slower through another. However, we have some important expectations for our students. As an approved EPP, we must maintain these guidelines for our candidates because we must also adhere to requirements for our own licensing and accountability:

1. Make progress – Candidates must complete, at minimum, one module every three months
2. Communicate – Candidates must communicate with their facilitator and answer emails regarding progress or submissions.
3. Be consistent with subscriptions – Candidates must be consistently enrolled in the program. A one-month break in-between subscriptions is permitted.

Note: A candidate’s subscription must stay current in order to have active status in the program and fulfill their Residency License requirement. Failure to renew registration will prompt Pathway to Practice NC staff to inform the candidate’s district that they are no longer affiliated with the program.

Modules vary in length. On average, each module takes about 1.5 months to complete (6-8 hours a week).

Each module has several units with quizzes, short assignments, discussion forums, and artifacts. Some of these assignments take longer than others, and some modules have more units.

Some assignments are longer than others. Some are quick content checks, and some are longer applications and syntheses. The workload varies, so some weeks a candidate might complete many assignments and others might complete fewer, but on average the workload is very manageable. The Pathway to Practice NC team recommends using the assignments to compliment a candidate’s daily classroom practice. It helps to not think of the work as ‘extra’, but as supporting the work already being done in the classroom.

This is a very good question because it highlights the importance of consistency and momentum. While the pacing can vary by individual, the most successful candidates log in and work on the modules a little each day (30-60 minutes). By working each day, candidates can use momentum to move forward at a quicker pace.

Should a candidate log in once per week for 6-8 hours, perhaps on the weekend, this may certainly also prove successful. Therefore, it depends on how people work. Some work well doing bits at a time every day. Others work well working in a big block less often. The key: Making a weekly schedule that fits a candidate’s specific needs and adhering to it. Success is most evident when candidates block off the time and make it a habit to have Pathway to Practice NC work time built into their schedule.

The program is 100% online, but candidates will have an online introduction meeting with their facilitator and to meet other candidates. Candidates will also attend online meetings with their facilitator throughout the program to support their work toward licensure. In the words of one of our facilitators, “We try to have multiple forms of communication, online individual meetings, group/cohort meetings, emails, and/or phone calls or texts if needed to give candidates the support that they need. It is an online program, but this does not mean that the candidate is on their own. It is very interactive between candidates and the facilitator.”

The edTPA is a performance-based assessment that teacher candidates complete during their Residency program. Pathway to Practice NC candidates are supported in the edTPA submission and are provided the $300 voucher for submission.

The edTPA was designed by the Stanford Center for Learning and Assessment Equity (SCALE) and is currently used in 41 states, including North Carolina, as well as the District of Columbia as a summative assessment of teacher preparation.

It consists of three tasks which align with one cycle of instruction:

• Task 1: Planning Teacher candidates plan 3-5 lessons
• Task 2: Instruction Teacher candidates video record themselves teaching those 3-5 lessons
• Task 3: Assessment Teacher candidates analyze student work

For each of the three tasks, candidates write commentaries in which they justify their planning decisions (Task 1), analyze their teaching (Task 2), and use data to inform instruction (Task 3).

There is an entire module dedicated to supporting candidates to prepare for and complete the edTPA portfolio. The program itself is designed to prepare candidates for successfully completing edTPA. Many of the assignments are modeled after the edTPA tasks so candidates will have the skills and knowledge to meet the requirements of edTPA and to be an effective teacher.

Candidates are assigned a facilitator who supports them in the program. In addition, candidates will meet other candidates in the program during facilitator sessions. These online support sessions are typically held every 1- 2 weeks. Facilitators are also available as needed. Candidates can contact the facilitator via email to set up a time to meet or talk and receive whatever support is needed. The facilitators are very accessible.

Candidates will get to know each other at the meetings with their facilitators and develop a network of support. Even though this is a self-paced program, we try to create a community of learners so candidates do not feel like they are in this alone. Some candidates share contact information with each other and some facilitators have regular group meetings. It is up to each candidate regarding how involved they would like to be with peers and the facilitator.

Pathway to Practice NC is a competency-based education program. Therefore, assignments are evaluated on a scale of “Met” or “Not Met” based on the standards listed in the rubric. If an assignment receives a “Not Met”, the candidate will be asked to resubmit the assignment.

• Modules (“Met” on all assignments)
• Praxis II (see licensure exams document)
• edTPA (38 cut score)
• 1 year of teaching on Residency License

Yes. Pathway to Practice is overseen by the Educator Preparation Department located under the Educator Preparation and Licensure Division at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Learn more about EPPs in North Carolina, including updates and the student complaint form.