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Dec 30, 2024
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Graduate Catalog | 2020-2021 Previous Edition
Child and Family Development: Birth through Kindergarten, Graduate Certificate
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 Return to: Academic Programs (by college)
The Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Development: Birth through Kindergarten is a 21 credit hour program that prepares professionals for careers that serve young children with and without disabilities and their families. It is designed for prospective students already working in professional settings who wish to pursue a North Carolina Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) on a part-time basis.
All courses for the Graduate Certificate must be completed within five years.
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General Requirements for Admission to the Graduate School
Please refer to admission information in The Graduate School section.
Admission Requirements for Graduate Certificate in Teaching Programs
- An undergraduate degree in a related field* from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75*
- Three recommendations from persons knowledgeable of the applicant’s interaction with children and families
- A statement of purpose
- A clear criminal background check
- Apply online at gradadmissions.uncc.edu
*For alternative ways to demonstrate academic competence, applicants may contact the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL)
Certificate Requirements
The NC State Board of Education requires that B-K candidates demonstrate content mastery with 24 relevant credit hours. Due to the 18 credit hour curriculum of this certificate, students who do not have 6 relevant credit hours at the time of admission will be required to complete those hours in addition to the standard program of study prior to student teaching. Contact the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure for assistance with determining relevant credit hours.
Internship
A 3 credit hour internship is required for Graduate Certificate students. The graduate-level internship is the culminating experience of the Graduate Certificate program, offering students the opportunity to demonstrate their readiness for the North Carolina Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License. Students are assigned to an appropriate classroom for a full-time, semester-long experience under the supervision of the classroom teacher and university faculty. This internship may be completed in a candidate’s employment site which meets placement criteria or the University can find a placement for the student. Lateral entry teachers and teacher assistants must contact the Office of School and Community Partnerships to determine the appropriateness of their classroom for the internship experience and licensure requirements. This contact should take place at least one semester before the internship.
Certificate Total = 21 Credit Hours
Advising
All students are assigned an advisor upon formal admission to the program. Students should consult with their advisor at least once each semester.
Application for Degree
The Application for Degree/Graduation form supplied by the Graduate School must be received early in the last semester of the student’s program.
Clinical Field Experiences
Most courses require students to develop their knowledge, skills, and dispositions in community-based settings. All students are expected to complete clinical experiences in at least two significantly different settings. Candidates who are residency teachers and teacher assistants must move beyond their own classrooms, and employed candidates are encouraged to seek assistance and support from their administrators.
Licensure
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate, candidates are recommended for the North Carolina Initial Professional Educator’s License. For this license, students are required to complete an electronic licensure portfolio that is created during coursework and the internship. Students apply for the North Carolina Initial Professional Educator’s License in the TEAL Office.
Beginning Fall 2019, all candidates must meet the minimal cut score requirement on edTPA and meet all other student teaching requirements in order to receive a licensure recommendation. For details, see https://edassessment.uncc.edu/edtpa-information.
Program Accreditation/Approval
All teacher education programs at UNC Charlotte are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Development: Birth through Kindergarten has been approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
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