Lateral Entry Teaching Information

Thank you for your interest in teaching the children of Guilford County Schools through the Lateral Entry Teaching Program. Due to increased interest in the Lateral Entry Program, we ask that you review the following steps in pursuing this career path.

Please visit the Teach4NC website for specific information regarding the Lateral Entry Program.

• Click on the Purple Box for "Business Professionals, Career Changers, Retirees"
• Click on "A Lesson in Alternate Routes to Teaching"
• Click on "Obtaining a License while Teaching"

To qualify for Lateral Entry you must have the following:

• A four-year degree from a Regionally Accredited College or University (Please contact your College or University to verify their accreditation.)
• An overall GPA of 2.5
• Your degree must be directly related to the area you wish to teach. Please see Reverse Side for Sample Relevant Degrees and Teaching Areas.
• If your degree is not related to what you want to teach, you have a 2.5 overall GPA and you have 24 semester hours in a particular subject matter, you may be eligible for Lateral Entry into that area. (For example, you have a degree in Business Administration, but have 24 semester hours in Math; you may be eligible for Lateral Entry into Math.)

Mail a copy of your official, degree-dated transcripts along with a note indicating the date you submitted your application to:

Guilford County Schools
ATTN: Information Management
PO Box 880
Greensboro, NC 27402-0880

If your qualifications meet our needs, you will be contacted for further information and a possible interview.

If you become employed, the District will help you apply for your NC Teaching License.

• You will need to associate with a College or University with an approved Teacher Education Program in your area of licensure or work with the personnel office to apply to the Regional Alternative Licensing Center .
• You will be responsible for completing a minimum of 6 semester hours of coursework each year for a maximum of 3 years.
• You will have to take the PRAXIS II exam for your licensure area in your 2 nd year of Lateral Entry.

If you have additional questions that cannot be answered with this information, please contact us at (336) 370-8348.

Sample Relevant Majors for Lateral Entry

• For Lateral Entry into Art Education (K-12): Art History, Fine Arts, Applied Arts
• For Lateral Entry into Business Education*: Business Administration, Secretarial Science
• For Lateral Entry into Elementary Education (K-6): Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Child Psychology, Child & Family Studies
• For Lateral Entry into English as a Second Language (K- 12): Spanish, English, French, German, (typically any Foreign Language Degree would be accepted)
• For Lateral Entry into Family & Consumer Sciences*: Home Economics, Child Development, Child & Family Studies, Culinary Arts, Hotel & Restaurant Management, Interior Design, Foods and Nutrition
• For Lateral Entry into French (K-12): French
• For Lateral Entry into Health Education (K-12): Health, Public Health, Health Promotion
• For Lateral Entry into Health Occupations*: Nursing, Medical Technology
• For Lateral Entry into Marketing Education*: Business and Marketing, Merchandising
• For Lateral Entry into Music Education (K-12): Music Performance, Musicology, Music Industry, Applied Arts (concentration in Music), Voice, Instrumental Music
• For Lateral Entry into Physical Education (K-12): Exercise Science, Sports Administration, Recreation, Sports Management
• For Lateral Entry into Secondary English/Middle Grades Language Arts: English, Literature, Speech, Communications**
• For Lateral Entry into Secondary or Middle Grades Math: Mathematics, Engineering of any type
• For Lateral Entry into Secondary or Middle Grades Science: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Physical Science, Engineering of any type
• For Lateral Entry into Secondary or Middle Grades Social Studies: Economics, History, Political Science, Sociology
• For Lateral Entry into Spanish (K-12): Spanish
• For Lateral Entry into Special Education Areas (K-12): Psychology, Sociology, Child Development, Social Work, Speech Language Impaired, Counselor
• For Lateral Entry into Technology Education*: Technical Drafting, Engineer Technology, Industrial Technology
• For Lateral Entry into Theater Arts (K-12): Theater, Drama, Performing Arts

* Note : These are Career/Technical Education Areas, which require previous work experience.

** Note : Communications degrees can often be generic in nature and are typically only accepted for Lateral Entry into Middle Grades Language Arts ONLY.

Please note that these are sample relevant majors only. Licensing is determined on an individual basis by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.