Admission Requirements

Freshmen and Transfers

• Minimum GPA:  2.7
• Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses:  A minimum of 30 credit hours in approved college-level courses, and a grade of C or above in the following:
  • EDUC 1100  or EDUC 2100  
  • SPED 2100  
• Other:  
  • Passing scores on the Praxis Core: Academic Skills Assessments in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics; or an acceptable substitute score on the SAT or ACT
  • Scores for the practice NC General Curriculum test (available in Canvas)
  • Completion and clearance on the Criminal Background Check
  • Signed Statement of Commitment to Professional Dispositions
  • Professional goals statement detailing interest in obtaining dual licensure
  • Recommendation of Advisor
  • Approval of the Chair (or his or her designee) of the department that offers the program
• Declaration of Major:  The Special Education major is intended to be started in the second semester of Sophomore year; students should plan to declare the major no later than the first semester of the Sophomore year.  Students must complete an “Application for Admission to a Teacher Education Program” in the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL) in the Cato College of Education.  Students must apply for admission to a specific teacher education program and complete the admissions process in order to enroll in any professional education courses at the 3000 level or above.

The Special Education - General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program accepts 30 students per academic year.  Once 30 applicants have been accepted into the Dual Program, the application process is closed.  Students cannot apply to the Dual Program once they have already taken courses in another education program.  Applications are reviewed first by the TEAL Office to determine that minimal acceptance requirements have been met.  A second review of applications occurs by the Director of the Dual Program. 

Degree Requirements

The Major in Special Education - General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program leading to the B.A. degree requires a minimum of 121-126 credit hours.

Degree Total = 121-126 Credit Hours

Academic Advising

During the duration of the program, students are advised by the Dual Major Undergraduate Program Director.  Students accepted into the Special Education - General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program are required to attend advising sessions each semester during the program.

Additional Requirements

The successful completion of this degree program includes meeting the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s licensure requirements for certification.  Consequently, additional requirements must be completed during the student’s program and are listed below.  Since state licensure requirements often change, additional work may be required to complete the program with a teaching license.

Planning Sheet

All education students are tracked through their program with a Program Planning Sheet.  The original planning sheet is uploaded to the advising system and lists all courses taken, transfer hours, General Education and minor requirements met, and courses remaining in the program.  Note that the University requires that the minimum number of credits in a degree program is 120 credit hours.

Clinicals

Some courses in the professional program include a clinical requirement where students complete specific activities or designated hours in an appropriate setting.  Clinicals are designed to expose students to diverse school demographics, locations, and programs.

Grade Requirements

All students with an education major must maintain a 2.5 GPA overall and a 2.75 GPA in their professional courses.  All professional courses must be passed with a grade of C or above, and students must have a GPA of 2.75 in professional courses the semester prior to student teaching.  Students may repeat a professional course once.  Courses may have required prerequisites, so courses should be taken in the sequence indicated on the plan of study.

Honors Program

For details about the Honors Program in Education, visit the program page .

Internship

Teacher education candidates participate in the yearlong internship during their final year of the program.  During the first semester, students spend a minimum of one day per week in an assigned classroom while completing coursework on campus.  During the second semester of the internship, students complete full-time student teaching in the same classroom.  Applications for this yearlong internship are due two semesters prior to student teaching; part two of the application is due one semester prior to student teaching.