Elementary Education Major, B.A.Ed.
The B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education program prepares teachers for today and tomorrow, earning dual North Carolina licensure in Elementary Education (K–6) and either Special Education – General Curriculum (K–12) or English as a Second Language (K–12)* through research-grounded coursework and hands-on classroom experience. Graduates understand their students deeply, possess subject matter expertise and effective teaching strategies, and make an immediate, measurable impact on students, families, and communities.
*Note: English as a Second Language (K–12) licensure will not be available for fall 2026 applicants.
Program benefits include:
- Students who complete the program requirements will be eligible to apply for a North Carolina teaching license
- Gain hands-on experience each semester in various classrooms and community settings
- Complete a year-long student teaching internship at a nearby public school
- Develop research-grounded methods and best practices in core elementary content areas
- Learn to use data to make instructional decisions that improve student outcomes
- Shape your personal teaching philosophy through elective coursework in related subjects
- Receive personalized guidance and coaching from leading faculty across multiple education fields
- Connect with a close-knit cohort and the broader School of Education community
- Join a network of Carolina alumni recognized for helping students achieve growth rates higher than their peers statewide
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the elementary education program, students should be able to:
- Plan, implement, and assess their teaching and instructional practices based on pedagogy appropriate to their content area and the grade level they teach.
- Demonstrate the requisite instructional skills to be successful beginning teachers.
- Demonstrate content knowledge expertise.
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must
- earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| EDUC 412 | Teaching the Science of Literacy I | 3 |
| EDUC 416 | Technology Integration Across the Curriculum in Elementary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDUC 419 | Teaching Science in the Elementary Grades | 3 |
| EDUC 420 | Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary Grades | 3 |
| EDUC 427 | Mathematics in the Elementary School: Geometry and Measurement | 3 |
| EDUC 428 | Science of Learning for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
| EDUC 482 | Elementary Practicum: Junior Year Semester 1 | 2 |
| EDUC 483 | Elementary Practicum: Junior Year Semester 2 | 2 |
| EDUC 502 | Teaching the Science of Literacy II | 3 |
| EDUC 615 |  Schools and Community Collaboration | 3 |
| EDUC 685 | Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary Grades | 3 |
| EDUC --- | Data and AI Literacy Course (pending approval) | 3 |
| EDUC --- | Arts Integration and Multiliteracies (pending approval) | 3 |
| EDUC 747 | Methods and Materials for Teaching Secondary/K-12 Subjects II | 3 |
| EDUC --- | Senior Practicum, Fall Semester (pending approval) | 2 |
| EDUC --- | Senior Student Teaching Internship, Spring Semester (pending approval) | 9 |
| Select three courses from one of the dual licensure pathways (see below) | 9 | |
| Additional Requirements 1 | ||
| EDUC 307 | Mathematics in Elementary Schools | 3 |
| EDUC 628 | Teaching English Language Learners | 3 |
| Select one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Childhood Development: Prenatal Birth to Age 12 | ||
| Human Development and Learning | ||
| Child Development H | ||
| Select one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Education of Exceptional Learners | ||
| Foundations of Special Education | ||
| Total Hours | 72 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
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The additional requirements must be completed before the Junior year. Transfer students are advised to complete the courses before Junior year, but there are options to take the courses after matriculating to UNC-Chapel Hill (e.g., summer semester).
Special Education - General Curriculum (K-12) Pathway
This pathway is available for students starting in the Fall 2026 cohort.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 468 | Behavior Support Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 744 | Assessment Techniques for ESL/EC Teachers 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 791 | Providing Specially Designed Instruction | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
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EDUC 628 is a prerequisite.
English as a Second Language (K-12) Pathway
This pathway will be available in a future year.
Special Opportunities in Education
Honors in the School of Education
During the fall semester of the senior year, an honors student in the School of Education participates in the first of a two-course sequence. This first course is an honors thesis class to begin the thesis preparation and writing process. During the spring semester of the senior year the student takes the second course in the honors class sequence. Across the two courses the student completes an honors thesis. In the spring semester there is an oral examination to defend the thesis. The program is limited to students with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3 at the start of the fall semester of the senior year. That is, students who wish to undertake a senior honors thesis project must have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher in order to begin the project, and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher through graduation.
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
