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Early Childhood, Birth through Kindergarten Residency Licensure Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Become a B-K Licensed Teacher
  • 18-21

    Credit Hours

  • 100%

    Online

  • 0-5 Ages

    Taught with the Credential

Offer We

Path to NC Teacher Licensure or B-K Add-on for current teachers

Fully online, asynchronous flexible coursework

Classroom-based field experiences

TEACH Scholarship–eligible courses

Personalized advising and licensure support

B-K Licensure Certificate Program Overview

Pathway for Non-Certified Teachers

Earn your North Carolina Birth–Kindergarten (B-K) teaching license through a flexible certificate program designed for aspiring and current educators.

This program is ideal for:

  • Residency teachers serving as lead teachers in early childhood classrooms
  • Current teachers seeking B-K Add-On Licensure
  • Individuals with a bachelor's degree pursuing initial B-K teacher licensure

Coursework aligns with North Carolina licensure requirements and prepares candidates for B-K teacher certification and licensure.

100% Online. 100% Asynchronous.

Designed for working professionals, all courses are delivered fully online in an asynchronous format, allowing you to complete coursework on your schedule.

  • Initial B-K Licensure: 21 credit hours, completed in less than two years
  • B-K Add-On Licensure: 18 credit hours

Field Experiences Tailored to Your Pathway

Field experiences are designed to align with each candidate's professional setting and licensure pathway.

  • Residency teachers complete field experiences and student teaching in their own classrooms.
  • Teachers pursuing B-K Add-On Licensure complete field experiences in their current schools.
  • Candidates not currently employed in schools complete field experiences in approved Birth–Kindergarten settings, followed by a full-time semester of student teaching arranged through Watson College's Office of Professional Experiences.

Faculty and Student Support

Learn from experienced early childhood education faculty who are committed to your success. Throughout the program, you'll receive personalized academic advising, licensure guidance and embedded edTPA support for candidates pursuing initial licensure.

NC T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship-Eligible

The Birth–Kindergarten Licensure Certificate is a stand-alone licensure pathway rather than a degree program. All courses are offered at the undergraduate level and are eligible for North Carolina T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship funding.

Sample Courses

  • EDN 302: Child Observation and Assessment
  • EDN 382: Literacy Development in the Early Years
  • EDN 383: Mathematics and Science for the Early Years
  • EDN 424: Child Guidance
  • EDN 430: Preschool Curriculum
  • EDN 451: Adaptive Practices in Early Childhood
  • EDN 466: Student Teaching for Early Childhood Practitioners
See the Full Curriculum

How Do I Apply?

Students with a bachelor’s degree in any field are eligible for the Birth-Kindergarten Licensure Certificate program.

Since the B-K Licensure Certificate is a stand-alone licensure pathway rather than a degree program, with courses offered at the undergraduate level, candidates apply to UNCW as a Non-Degree Seeking Special Undergraduate. 

For information, visit Non-Degree Seeking.

To apply, submit an online application through the UNCW Application Portal.

Program Coordinator

Dr. Jes Cardenas
cardenasj@uncw.edu 
910.962.2919

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EEMLS Department

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