Professional Licensure

What are you going to do when you graduate from UNC Charlotte?

Some students can start work in their chosen field the very next day; but, for others, completion of the degree is just one of several hurdles to be cleared in order to fully participate in their profession. Teachers and nurses, for example, cannot serve their clients without first obtaining a license. And, before the license, there are usually forms and fees and exams. In other disciplines like engineering and accounting, the credential can come only after doing the work for a while. Every profession is different; and, even within a single profession, requirements vary from place to place.

The Charlotte Way

At UNC Charlotte, programs that prepare students for fields that require a license in order to work are labeled “Professional Licensure Programs,” and the University has special responsibilities towards students in these programs:

1. Provide clear, accessible information. Because every profession is different and requirements vary from state to state, the landscape of licensure can be confusing. Charlotte’s Inventory of Professional Licensure Programs cuts through the confusion to ensure you that your program will, indeed, prepare you for licensure and employment where you intend. Use it to know where your program can take you. If you contact licensing boards for additional information, our professors, advisors, program directors, and University Career Center can help you make sense of what you hear.

2. Don’t waste student’s time or money. UNC Charlotte will not even allow you to start a Professional Licensure Program unless we know that the program satisfies the educational prerequisites for licensure where you plan to seek employment after graduation. That’s why we ask every student in these programs to identify their “Future Professional Licensure Location.” If our program can’t lead to success in the future you intend, our experts can help you find a program that can.

3. Inform students of changes. Licensing requirements can change. We cannot guarantee that a Professional Licensure Program that satisfies licensure requirements when you start a program will continue to do so forever. We do, however, promise to inform you quickly if something occurs that could negatively impact your ability to be licensed in your Future Professional Licensure Location after graduation. If that should happen, rest assured that we will work with you to help you understand the situation and your options so that you can make the best decisions possible for your future career.

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