Program Goals

• Master teachers are self-directed and ethical in their personal and professional growth as educators.
• Master teachers are responsive to children’s differences as influenced by development, exceptionalities, and diversity.
• Master teachers are well-grounded in the technology, content, and pedagogy of the elementary curriculum and emphasis area.
• Master teachers are effective in urban, rural, and suburban cultural contexts
• Master teachers are self-reflective, educational advocates, and educational researchers.
• Master teachers are collaborative and impactful educational leaders.
• Master teachers are globally aware of the impact of local education.

Concentrations

Concentrations available in the M.Ed. in Elementary Education program include:

• Academically or Intellectually Gifted
• Anti-Racism in Urban Education (ARUE)
• Elementary Mathematics
• Learning, Design, and Technology (Technology Integration)
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
• Special Education
• Teaching English as a Second Language

Admission Requirements

1. Official transcripts of all previous academic work beyond high school with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75
2. Completion of a Bachelors in Elementary Education from an approved program
3. Official reports of GRE or MAT examination
4. An essay describing statement of purpose for undertaking graduate study
5. Apply online: graduateschool.uncc.edu

Early Entry Program

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree.  See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements.  Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies  section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

Degree Requirements

The M.Ed. in Elementary Education is a 30 credit hour online program. The program of study includes 15 credit hours of required core courses, with the remaining credit hours from a selected concentration and elective courses.

Degree Total = 30 Credit Hours

Clinical Field Experiences

Students in the M.Ed. program participate in structured field experiences that require them to apply coursework in their classroom settings, analyze K-5 student learning, and reflect on their practice in the context of theories on teaching and learning. Students deepen their understanding of the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions that foster student learning. These experiences broaden their ability to help all students learn, including children with exceptionalities and students from diverse ethnic/racial, linguistic, gender, and socioeconomic groups. These structured field experiences are designed to take place in multiple settings within the candidate’s school community or districts, after-school programs, alternate youth centers, or in the schools and classrooms in which the candidates work.

Advising

All students are assigned an advisor upon formal admission to the program. Students are required to attend the advising seminar at the start of each semester.

Licensure

The master’s (M.Ed.) program in Elementary Education is a K-6 instructional degree that leads to the “M” level teaching license.

Research Opportunities/Experiences

Faculty members in the Department of Elementary Education faculty are deeply committed to research in urban schools. As a result, candidates will have opportunities to become involved in classroom-based research.

Program Approval

All teacher education programs at UNC Charlotte are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The M.Ed. in Elementary Education is awaiting approval by North Carolina State Board of Education.