ECSU and Lenoir-Rhyne University Partnership to Expand the Number of Teachers in North Carolina

Viking students and alumni get LRU tuition discount for pursuing master’s teaching degree

Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) and Lenoir-Rhyne University (LRU) launched a new partnership on June 1 to expand the number of teachers in the state. Students and alumni from ECSU will have priority admission to LRU’s Masters in Art of Teaching (MAT) degree which they can complete online, at their own pace and with a 10-20% tuition discount depending on the number of people enrolled in the program. In addition, LRU will waive the MAT application fee.

“African American teachers are underrepresented in schools across our nation, and it’s important that we have a diversified educator workforce that is representative of our student populations,” says ECSU Provost Dr. Farrah Ward. “This partnership will help create the next generation of leaders in education while supporting ECSU students and alumni with a rewarding teaching career.”

“This collaboration between Elizabeth City State University and Lenoir-Rhyne creates a seamless pathway for students to achieve a master’s degree in teaching while serving in the classroom,” says Dr. Amy Wood, Assistant Provost and Dean of The Graduate School at LRU. “The agreement ensures that we recruit and prepare the next generation of teachers through a high-quality pathway that diversifies and strengthens the education workforce.”

The MAT program is a 100% online, self-paced degree. Students can complete the 34 credits required for a teaching license in Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Physical Education and Music in as little as 12 months.

“We’re excited to offer an interactive, online classroom environment that offers a convenient class schedule,” says Dr. Sharon Raynor, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. “That makes this program ideal for working adults who may need to stay in this region. They can leverage the resources at both universities. We can help you with your application, financial aid, and provide face-to-face faculty support to help you be successful in pursuing a master’s degree, as well as a teaching license.”

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About Lenoir-Rhyne University
Founded in 1891, Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private liberal arts institution with more than 50 undergraduate degree programs and nearly 30 graduate degree programs. LRU enrolls more than 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students. LRU’s main campus is in Hickory, North Carolina, where both undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered. The university also offers graduate degree programs on its campuses in Asheville, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina. The Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary is also in Columbia. LRU is affiliated with the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and welcomes students from all religious backgrounds. The website is www.lr.edu.

About Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City State University provides students with a high-quality, affordable education as one of North Carolina’s leading four-year public institutions that is part of the University of North Carolina System.  ECSU develops leaders who are courageous, resilient, and empowered through excellent student-centered, experiential learning.  We offer baccalaureate, professional, and master’s degrees across a wide variety of interests.  Excellence is the standard at Elizabeth City State University – success is our legacy. Come to Discover.  Leave to Conquer.