Surry Community College

A collaboration between Surry Community College (SCC) and Lees-McRae offers another pathway for students interested in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Nursing. Those who prefer a traditional seated classroom experience but are unable to commute to Banner Elk can get a Lees-McRae-quality education at a familiar location.

Program Entrance Requirements

The following must be submitted in addition to meeting all SCC entrance requirements.

  • Transcripts from high school and all colleges attended 
  • Two letters of recommendation 
  • Acceptance letter to Surry Community College 

Elementary Education

The Elementary Education distance learning program is designed for traditional, non-traditional, and adult students who wish to become licensed elementary classroom teachers (K-6) in the state of North Carolina. Lees-McRae offers the junior and senior years of a four-year teacher education program on the campus of SCC. This arrangement allows students to complete their four-year degree close to home, and at the same time offers students with transfer coursework from other institutions (including a bachelor’s degree) the opportunity to complete their teacher education coursework for state licensure. 

Special Education

Overall employment of special education teachers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030. About 38,600 openings for special education teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Demand for special education teachers will be driven by school enrollments and the need for special education services as disabilities are identified earlier and as children with disabilities are enrolled into special education programs.

Lees-McRae offers two options for those interested in working in Special Education: a Bachelor of Science designed for students who have completed their AA or AS and want to earn their four-year degree, and an add-on licensure for teaching professionals looking to expand their qualifications. 

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    BS in Special Education

    In the Special Education degree program, you'll take classes in person at Surry Community College. You will study a variety of topics including educational philosophy, managing environments for diverse learners, classroom management, behaviors, educational psychology, foundations of American public school education, children's literature, and more.

    The program also includes required classroom observation and experience. You will complete 50 hours of classroom observation for kindergarten through sixth grade in your first two semesters of the program, 150 hours of a classroom internship during your third semester, and student teaching during your fourth and final semester. 

    Course plan
    Course descriptions

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    Add-on Licensure

       

Nursing

The Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nursing (RIBN) program provides an affordable and accessible way for individuals who have not earned an associate degree to become a registered nurse and receive their Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  

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    RIBN: ADN to BSN

    Students take classes on SCC campus and with Lees-McRae online during the first three years of the program. At the end of the third year, students take the licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN) and are then eligible to work as resident nurses while completing their final year of nursing courses online with Lees-McRae.

    Course Plan
    Course Descriptions

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    RIBN: LPN to BSN

    This program is designed specifically for licensed practical nurses who want to continue their education and further develop their skills. Like the RIBN program, students take classes on-campus at SCC and online with Lees-McRae, but the LPN to BSN program takes three years instead of four. At the end of their second year, students take the NCLEX-RN.

    Course Plan
    Course Descriptions

Elevate your Potential

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