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Undergraduate Catalog | 2026-2027
Early Childhood Education and Intervention, B.A.
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 Return to: Academic Programs (Undergraduate Majors)
The B.A. degree in Early Childhood Education and Intervention prepares graduates to work in educational and related settings that serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners with and without disabilities, and their families. The program qualifies graduates for the Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in birth-kindergarten (B-K) education.
Graduates of the program are prepared to meet the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards and the ten Interstate New Teachers Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) Standards for new teachers in Content Pedagogy, Student Development, Diverse Learners, Multiple Instructional Strategies, Motivation and Management, Communication and Technology, Planning, Assessment, Reflective Practice, and School and Community Involvement. Candidates have specific coursework and clinical experiences in a variety of settings in order to learn and apply evidence-based knowledge and practices in the field of early childhood development, early intervention, early childhood special education and education.
All program-level Admissions and Progression Requirements are in addition to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Admission Requirements .
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Admission Requirements (Pre-Education)
Freshmen - 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:
- 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
Currently Enrolled Students Degree Requirements
The Major in Early Childhood Education and Intervention leading to the B.A. degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours. General Education (31-32 credit hours)
For details on required courses, refer to the General Education Program . Total hours to satisfy General Education Requirements may vary as some general education requirements may be double-counted in the major with departmental approval. Please see your advisor for information. Students in this major should plan on taking the following courses that meet general education requirements and also satisfy prerequisites for courses in the major: - PSYC 1101 - General Psychology (3)
- SOCY 15xx - Themes Requirement(3)
Foundation Courses (15-16 credit hours)
Note:
Note: SPED 2100 and either EDUC 1100 or EDUC 1511 should be taken no later than a student’s Sophomore year. Both courses must be completed with a grade of C or above to qualify for admission to the Early Childhood Education and Intervention program. Major Courses (54 credit hours)
Restricted Elective Courses (18 credit hours)
Select six of the following. Please note that some courses may have prerequisites. Teaching English as a Second Language Courses
Children’s Literature and Childhood Studies Minor Courses
Public Health Minor Courses
Other Approved Elective Courses
- ANTH 15xx - Themes Requirement
Unrestricted Elective Courses, Double Major and/or Minor to Complete Requirements for Graduation
Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate. This requirement can be fulfilled through a combination of elective courses, a minor, or a double major. The 120-credit minimum must be satisfied regardless of the specific academic path chosen (e.g., a minor combined with electives). Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours
Progression Requirements: 4-Year Program
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.
- Students should plan to take ECEI 2111 , ECEI 2113 , and ECEI 2114 during sophomore 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.
- Students may be dropped from a course if they register out of sequence.
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:
- 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: 4-Year Program
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 There are designated courses in the professional program that include a clinical requirement where students complete specific activities or designated hours in an appropriate setting. Clinical courses are designed to expose students to diverse school demographics, locations, and programs. AAS Degree Completion Program
Admission Requirements
Transfers - See University Admission Requirements
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Minimum GPA: Overall 2.7 and minimum 2.5 on all courses taken at the community college -
Degrees: A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood Education or similar title with curriculum acceptable to the department with 60-64 credit hours of coursework (transfer applicants not having the A.A.S. degree or its equivalent must meet University admission requirements) - Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses:
- EDUC 1100 or EDUC 1511 (with grade of C or above by the end of the semester of application or the equivalent transferred community college courses)
- SPED 2100 (with grade of C or above by the end of the semester of application or the equivalent transferred community college courses)
- Prerequisite background courses for the program (a limited number of such background courses may be made up by taking them at UNC Charlotte)
- A minimum of 31 credit hours in General Education courses that are taken as part of all North Carolina A.A.S. Early Childhood Education programs, plus additional University General Education requirements that may not be part of A.A.S. degree but are required to earn a Bachelor degree in Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) teaching licensure program
- A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood (Licensure Track) with 31 credit hours of General Education courses follows the AAS Degree Completion Program Articulation Plan
- A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood (Non-Licensure Track) without 31 credit hours of General Education credits must complete additional General Education credits to meet the 31 credit hour requirement
- 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
Currently Enrolled Students Degree Requirements
The B.A. in Early Childhood Education and Intervention AAS Degree Completion Program for transfer students consists of a minimum of 60 credit hours. A.A.S. Degree (60-64 credit hours)
Major Courses (51 credit hours)
Admission to Teacher Education and advisor approval are required in order to register for any of the following courses: Restricted Elective Courses (9 credit hours)
Select three courses from the options in the 4-Year Program above. Unrestricted Elective Courses, Double Major and/or Minor to Complete Requirements for Graduation
Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate. This requirement can be fulfilled through a combination of elective courses, a minor, or a double major. The 120-credit minimum must be satisfied regardless of the specific academic path chosen (e.g., a minor combined with electives). Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours
Progression Requirements: AAS Degree Completion Program
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.
- Grades in professional education and concentration courses must be C or above.
- Minimum overall GPA in professional education and concentration courses must be 2.75.
- Students may repeat a professional course once.
- Students may be dropped from a course if they register out of sequence.
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:
- 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: AAS Degree Completion Program
The successful completion of this degree program includes meeting the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s licensure requirements for B-K 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. The B.A. in Early Childhood Education and Intervention 2+2-year degree program for transfer students consists of a minimum of 60 credit hours. Clinicals There will be designated courses in the professional program that serve as 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. 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. Additional Information for AAS Degree Completion Program/Articulation Program - Academic Advising: Students who intend to major in Early Childhood Education (ECEI) and Intervention and to earn B-K licensure are classified as Pre ECEI majors. These students are assigned an advisor in the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL), who help students select appropriate General Education and elective courses, and who will help them meet the requirements for admission to teacher education. To be admitted to the Teacher Education Program in ECEI, students must have completed an admission application through the TEAL office, attained a grade of C or above in SPED 2100 and either EDUC 1100 or EDUC 1511 , attained passing scores on all three parts of the Praxis Core or acceptable alternatives (SAT or ACT scores), and attained an overall GPA of at least 2.7 in at least 31 credit hours of coursework.
- Applications for admission to the Teacher Education Program in Early Childhood Education and Intervention are available from and are to be returned to the TEAL office after a student has earned at least 31 credit hours of coursework. Students are then assigned a major advisor in ECEI who assists planning the remainder of the program of study. Course selections for each subsequent semester must be approved by the student’s advisor in Child and Family Development. Assignment of the student’s major advisor is the responsibility of the ECEI Undergraduate Program Director in the Department of Special Education and Early Childhood Education and Intervention.
Additional Information for the 4-Year and AAS Degree Completion Programs
Academic Advising
Students who intend to major in Early Childhood Education and Intervention and to earn B-K licensure are classified as Pre-Education students in Early Childhood Education and Intervention. These students are assigned an advisor in the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL), who help students select appropriate General Education and elective courses, and who will help them meet the requirements for admission to teacher education. To be admitted to the Teacher Education Program in Early Childhood Education and Intervention, students must have completed an admission application through the TEAL office, attained a grade of C or above in SPED 2100 and either EDUC 1100 or EDUC 1511 , attained passing scores on all three parts of the Praxis Core or acceptable alternatives (SAT or ACT scores), and attained an overall GPA of at least 2.7 in at least 45 credit hours of coursework. Applications for admission to the Teacher Education Program in Early Childhood Education and Intervention are available from and are to be returned to the TEAL office after a student has earned at least 45 credit hours of coursework. Students are then assigned a major/minor advisor in Early Childhood Education and Intervention who assists planning the remainder of the program of study. Course selections for each subsequent semester must be approved by the student’s advisor in child and family development. Assignment of the student’s major/minor advisor is the responsibility of the Child and Family Development Undergraduate Program Director in the Department of Special Education and Early Childhood Education and Intervention. 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. Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours
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Return to: Academic Programs (Undergraduate Majors)
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