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

1. An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution
2. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. (For alternative ways to demonstrate academic competence, applicants may contact the Office of Teacher Education Advising, Licensure, and Recruitment (TEALR))
3. Three recommendations from persons knowledgeable of the applicant’s interaction with children and families
4. A statement of purpose
5. A clear criminal background check
6. Apply online at graduateschool.uncc.edu

Certificate Requirements

• CHFD 5100 - Development: Prenatal to Pre-Adolescence (3)
• CHFD 5114 - Collaboration with Diverse Families: Prenatal to 36 months (3)
• CHFD 5116 - Responsive Approaches to Supporting Children’s Learning (Preschool through Eight) (6)
• CHFD 6110 - Family-Professional Partnerships (3)
• CHFD 6400 - Student Teaching Seminar: B-K Child and Family Development (3)
• SPED 5111 - Issues in Early Intervention for Young Children with Disabilities (3)
• SPED 5112 - Authentic Approaches to the Assessment of Young Children with Disabilities: Birth-Kindergarten (3)
• SPED 5210 - Developmental Interventions for Young Children with Disabilities: Birth through Kindergarten (3)

Admission to Candidacy

The Candidacy form supplied by the Graduate School must be received no later than the eighth instructional day of the semester in which the completion of all program requirements is expected.

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.

Internship

A three-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 can be done in a student’s place of employment or the University can find a placement for the student. Lateral entry teachers and teacher assistants must contact the Office of Field Experiences 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.

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 lateral entry teachers and teacher assistants must move beyond their own classrooms, and employed candidates are encouraged to seek assistance and support from their administrators.

Advising

All students are assigned an advisor upon formal admission to the program. Students should consult with their advisors at least once each semester.

Licensure

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate, students are recommended for the North Carolina Standard Professional 1 (SP1) 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 Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in the TEALR Office.

Financial Aid/Financial Assistance

Information is available from the Office of Teacher Education Advising, Licensure, and Recruitment (TEALR). See tealr.uncc.edu for details. Additional information is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid at finaid.uncc.edu.

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.