Baccalaureate Education in Science and Teaching (BEST) Minor
Overview
The minor in Baccalaureate Education in Science and Teaching (BEST) is designed for students majoring in biology, chemistry, geology, physics, or mathematics. Students complete a set of core courses in the School of Education to teach secondary science or mathematics. Course work is designed to help students apply theories of mathematics and science learning to teaching in grades 9-12. Students who complete the minor will be eligible to apply for a North Carolina teaching license.
A student interested in this minor must apply through ConnectCarolina. We encourage any interested applicant to reach out to the School of Education advising team to discuss a course plan to successfully complete the minor. Admission to the minor requires a 2.7 cumulative GPA as well as minimum test scores, described below. Please refer to our program website for additional information.
Admission
GPA Requirement
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 is required at the time of application, as mandated by the State of North Carolina for licensure eligibility. Applicants who do not meet the 2.7 GPA requirement at the time of application but anticipate meeting it before entering the School of Education are encouraged to contact the department to discuss their situation. Please note that the state mandates the 2.7 GPA requirement, which is not negotiable.
Test Requirements
The North Carolina State Board of Education requires one of the following tests to demonstrate competency at the Pre-Professional Skill level for admission to undergraduate teacher education programs:
Praxis I–Core Academic Skills for Educators
- Total Score: 468 Composite
- Reading/Writing: 156/162
- Mathematics: 150
SAT
(Scores for tests taken after March 2016)
- Total Score: 1170 Composite
- Reading: 600
- Mathematics: 570
(Scores for tests taken prior to 2016)
- Total Score: 1100 Composite
- Reading: 550
- Mathematics: 550
ACT
- Total Score: 24 Composite
- English: 24
- Mathematics: 24
Official SAT or ACT scores must be on file with UNC or submitted by the application deadline if used instead of Praxis I. Scores from any test date are accepted as reported, without adjustment. Applicants may combine scores from different tests to meet individual subject requirements; however, composite scores must come from the same test.
Additional Program Completion Requirements
During their time in the BEST program, students are required to meet a minimum ‘C’ grade in each course to continue. Students will take their licensure examinations (Praxis and edTPA) during their time in the program. Students will complete a 16 week Student Teaching Internship concurrent with EDUC 746 in Spring prior to graduation.
Licensure Requirements
In order to successfully gain a NC teacher’s license, students will take all required Praxis exams and the Teaching Portfolio Assessment (edTPA). After degrees are conferred, students will submit a teaching license application to NCDPI, and list UNC as the Educator Preparation Program.
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must:
- take at least nine hours of their minor "core" requirements at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the minor core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for minor or specific courses.
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| EDUC 532 |  Human Development and Learning 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 615 | Schools and Community Collaboration 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 689 | Foundations of Special Education 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 760 | Methods and Materials for Teaching Secondary/K-12 Subjects I (fall only) 2 | 3 |
| EDUC 746 | Practica Student Internship (spring only) | 9 |
| EDUC 747 | Methods and Materials for Teaching Secondary/K-12 Subjects II (spring only) | 3 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
- 1
- 2
Must be completed before starting the internship.
Additional Requirements
Students are required to take the edTPA for completion of the minor.
Students are required to take the Praxis Exam(s) for completion of the minor.
Department Programs
Major
- Elementary Education Major, B.A.Ed.
- Human Development and Family Science Major, B.A.Ed.
- Human and Organizational Leadership Development Major, B.A.
Minor
Courses
Dean
Jill Hamm
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of Graduate Studies
Thurston Domina
