Admission Requirements (Pre-Education)

Current UNC Charlotte Undergraduate Students, Freshmen and Transfers*

• See University Admission Requirements  
• Minimum Overall 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 1511 **
  • SPED 2100 **
• Completion and clearance on the Criminal Background Check
• Passing scores on the Praxis Core: Academic Skills Assessments in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics; or an acceptable substitute score on the SAT or ACT
• Signed Statement of Commitment to Professional Dispositions

* Students seeking to enroll in the TA to Teachers program should submit an Undergraduate Admissions Application and meet the articulated admission requirements. Additionally, a secondary application should be submitted through the Distance Education website that includes academic transcripts reflecting an A.A. or A.S. degree and a principal/administrator recommendation.

** Students seeking to enroll in the TA to Teachers program who lack credit for EDUC 1100 /EDUC 1511  and SPED 2100  are admitted as a Pre-Education major and are required to complete the courses through Credit by Exam prior to enrollment in the program.

Currently Enrolled Students

• Declaration of Major:  The Elementary Education major is intended to be started in the first semester of Junior year. Students should plan to declare the major no later than the second 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.

Degree Requirements

The Major in Elementary Education leading to the B.A. degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours

Academic Advising

Freshmen and Sophomores who intend to major in Elementary Education are classified as Pre-Education students in Elementary Education. They are assigned an advisor in the College’s Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL), who helps them select appropriate General Education and minor courses, and also helps them meet the requirements for admission to teacher education. Upon admission to the Teacher Education Program in Elementary Education, which typically occurs at the end of the Sophomore year, students will be advised in the Elementary Education Advising Center.

Progression Requirements

For a degree to be conferred, students must successfully complete all program requirements which include:

• Minimum GPA of 2.7 to declare major
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 must be maintained to remain enrolled
• Students should plan to take EDUC 1100  / EDUC 1511  and SPED 2100  during Freshman Year.
• Grades in professional education courses must be C or above
• Minimum overall GPA in professional education courses must be 2.75
• Students may repeat a professional course once. 

Requirements for Licensure and Graduation

• A grade of P in student teaching with recommendation from Cooperating Teacher, University Supervisor, and Principal is required for licensure and graduation.
• Passing score on edTPA is required for licensure and graduation.

Admission to Upper Division

• Minimum Overall 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 1511 **
  • SPED 2100 **
• A passing score on the Praxis Core exam or acceptable alternatives (SAT or ACT scores)
• Completion and clearance on the Criminal Background Check
• Signed Statement of Commitment to Professional Dispositions

Special Policies or 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.

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 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 before student teaching.