Mar 29, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2017-2018 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2017-2018 Previous Edition

Elementary Education, B.A.


The B.A. program in Elementary Education qualifies graduates for Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in K-6 Elementary Education.   Graduates of the program are prepared to meet the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards (NCPTS) 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, School and Community Involvement.  Graduates 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 elementary education.

Admission Requirements


See the Admission to Teacher Education Programs heading  under the College of Education.

Degree Requirements


The Major in Elementary Education leading to the B.A. degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours, including the completion of an approved minor.

General Education Courses (31-35 hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education program .  Students in this major should plan on taking the following courses that meet general education requirements and also satisfy courses in the major:

Note:


*SPED 2100  and either EDUC 1100  or EDUC 2100  should be taken no later than a student’s Sophomore year; both must be completed with a grade of C or above to qualify for admission to the Teacher Education Program.

Note:


Note: Elementary education courses are available on a very limited basis in the summer.

Related Courses (3 credit hours)


Select one creative arts activity course from the following, with a different area of emphasis from the LBST Arts and Society course:

Minor


Students must complete an approved minor.  The minor selection must be initially approved by the student’s Pre-Education advisor in the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL) and finally approved by the student’s major advisor after admission to the Teacher Education Program in Elementary Education.  Students are required to contact their minor advisor for course approvals and to determine whether completion criteria have been met.  With advisor approval, a full second major may be approved for this requirement. 

Unrestricted Elective Courses


As needed.

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.

Additional Requirements


The successful completion of this degree program includes meeting the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s licensure requirements for K-6 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.

Grade Requirements


All students with an education major must maintain a 2.5 GPA overall and a 2.75 GPA in their professional courses.  All professional courses must be passed with a grade of C or above, and students may repeat a professional course once.  Students may be dropped from a course if they register out of sequence.

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.

Suggested Curriculum


For the suggested course sequence toward completing the major, please see the Academic Plan of Study available online at academics.uncc.edu.  Consultation with an advisor is required each semester.