School of Education

Introduction

The School of Education is committed to the preparation of candidates who can assume leadership roles in the field of education. Such preparation is accomplished through the coherent integration of the abilities and predispositions of candidates, the knowledge and abilities of faculty members, and the contextual elements of academic and field settings. The growth and development of candidates is promoted through curriculum, instruction, research, field experiences, clinical practice, assessments, evaluations, and interactions with faculty members and peers. All of these elements work together to build a solid foundation for exemplary practices in education.

Programs of Study

Students are subject to the requirements in place when they are admitted to the School of Education; consequently, the requirements for approved programs described in this catalog particularly apply to students admitted to the school during the 2026–2027 academic year.

Advising

To best facilitate completion of all degree requirements students are strongly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor every semester.

The School of Education’s advising team are available to meet with students who are interested in or admitted to any of the School of Education's undergraduate programs. Students interested in making an advising appointment can contact soeadvising@unc.edu. Based on their academic program, they may also need to continue to meet with an advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Admission to the School of Education

Human Development and Family Studies

Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) is a pre-professional major for undergraduate students who feel driven to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Admission to the human development and family studies major is required and offered every semester. The program welcomes students who are interested in supporting the well-being of children, families, and communities through people-centered, interdisciplinary work. Students may apply to the HDFS program after establishing a recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. The HDFS admissions committee takes a holistic approach and recognizes that GPA reflects only one dimension of an applicant’s preparation. Successful applicants typically demonstrate academic readiness, a strong interest in human services, and potential to contribute meaningfully to the lives of others.

Human and Organizational Leadership Development

The Human and Organizational Leadership Development (HOLD) program prepares graduates to understand, lead, and work effectively with diverse stakeholders across and within organizations. Admission to the human and organizational leadership development major is required and offered every semester. Admission is based on, but not limited to, a recommended 2.5 grade point average, good academic standing, expressed interest in the field, and space available. For more information, please visit the School of Education website.

Education Minor

The undergraduate minor in education is appropriate for undergraduate students interested in furthering their knowledge of education as a means of career development or to enhance their understanding of current schooling, community, and policy directions.

To declare a minor in education, you must see an advisor within the School of Education or the College of Arts & Sciences. During the declaration appointment, your advisor will review with you the requirements for the minor. If it is feasible for you to complete the minor within the eight-semester limit, you and your advisor will complete a declaration form to get you declared.

For more information, please visit the School of Education website.

Baccalaureate Education in Science and Teaching (BEST) Minor

The BEST minor is an innovative, fast-track program offering undergraduate science and mathematics majors the opportunity to complete requirements for a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science and obtain licensure as a secondary science or mathematics teacher in North Carolina in four years. Students will be prepared for N.C. licensure in either mathematics (9–12) or comprehensive science (9–12). Students will apply by completing an online application for the minor through ConnectCarolina.

UNC–BEST Admissions Requirements

• Declared Math or science (biology, chemistry, geological sciences, environmental studies/science and physics) major
• Minimum 2.7 GPA
• SAT or ACT score requirements*
  SAT: Math–570, Reading–600, 1170 Combined (SAT taken after 2016)
• ACT: Math 24, English–24, 24 Composite
• **if SAT taken pre-2016 please refer to School of Education website
• Request and complete an application via ConnectCarolina

*Applicants who do not meet the minimum SAT and ACT score requirements can take the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Score–468 Composite; Reading–156/Writing–162; Math–150

Pre-M.A.T. (Early Affiliation to the Master of Arts in Teaching)

The Pre-M.A.T. is an opportunity for UNC–Chapel Hill undergraduates to engage with select M.A.T. coursework, faculty, and staff in order to pre-plan their intended entry into the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) upon graduation. Pre-MAT is not a guarantee of admission to the graduate program but affiliation to make a connection to faculty, staff, and coursework. While joining the Pre-M.A.T. is not a requirement to be considered for admission to the M.A.T., there are many benefits of joining, which include:

• M.A.T. prerequisite advising/course planning with a School of Education advisor
• Access to select M.A.T. courses as an undergraduate, which may reduce M.A.T. tuition costs, if the student is admitted
• Opportunity to get to know M.A.T. faculty and current students
• Undergraduate student engagement opportunities related to teaching and learning

Students interested in more information or applying to become a Pre-M.A.T. "early affiliate" can meet with an advisor within the School of Education.

Pre-M.A.T affiliation is for UNC- Chapel Hill undergraduate students only. If you are ready to request affiliation, you can complete the request here.

Pre-MAT affiliation is available for all tracks of the MAT program. Tracks include: elementary education (available through 2027-2028 academic year, then will be paused), social studies, mathematics, science, English-language arts.

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

• Baccalaureate Education in Science and Teaching (BEST) Minor
• Education Minor

Courses 

• Education (EDUC) 

Establishing Licensure

At UNC, two undergraduate pathways for coursework prepare students for N.C. teacher licensure: BAEd in Elementary Education and Baccalaureate Education in Science and Teaching (BEST) Minor. In addition to the BAEd in Elementary Education and the BEST Minor, UNC students have the opportunity to engage with select master’s of arts in teaching (M.A.T.) coursework in order to pre-plan their intended entry into the M.A.T. upon graduation. Information on the Pre-M.A.T. can be found here or by contacting the School of Education's advising team.

North Carolina licensure requirements are distinct from the School of Education’s degree requirements. Applications for North Carolina licensure must be submitted through the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s online licensure system by the graduate seeking a license. Forms are not submitted by the UNC School of Education licensure officer. The UNC School of Education licensure officer reviews and either approves or denies all licensure applications routed to UNC through the N.C. Department of Public Instruction online licensure system. More information about applying for N.C. licensure is available on the School of Education website.

The teacher education programs described in this catalog are approved by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the N.C. State Board of Education, and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Baccalaureate Education in Science and Teaching (BEST) Minor

Baccalaureate Education in Science and Teaching (BEST) minor is designed for students majoring in mathematics or science. Students complete a set of core courses in the School of Education to teach secondary science or mathematics. Course work is designed to prepare help students apply theories of mathematics and science learning to teaching in the high school classroom, grades 9–12. Students who complete the minor will be prepared to apply for a North Carolina teaching license.

To be recommended for N.C. licensure, BEST minor students should consult with their program director, regarding entry requirements, and edTPA and Praxis testing appropriate to their content area. More information about the testing requirements is available on the School of Education testing website.

Baccalaureate in Elementary Education, with Dual License in Special Education or Multilingual Education

K–12 Music Education 

The K–12 Music Education program is a collaboration between the School of Education and the Department of Music. Please note that the program is currently on pause and will not be accepting new applications for the 2025–2026 academic year forward. Students who have already been admitted to the program can refer to the Catalog Archives for information on program requirements and curriculum details.  

Professors

Brian Boyd, Lora Cohen-Vogel, Thurston (Thad) Domina, Nianbo Dong, Dorothy L. Espelage, Jeffrey Greene, Jill Hamm, Annemarie Hindman, Sherick Hughes, Roger Mills-Koonce, Troy D. Sadler, Keith Sawyer, Joseph Williams.

Clinical Professor

Jennifer Diliberto-Fender, Sandra Evarrs, Helyne Frederick, Diana Lys.

Associate Professors

Janice Anderson, Matthew Bernacki, Cheryl Mason Bolick, Dionne Cross Francis, Christian Ehret, Jocelyn Glazier, Peter Halpin, Eric Houck, Kara Hume, Ethan Hutt, Daniel Klasik, Steve Knotek, Kathryn Leech, Marissa Marraccini, Lauren Sartain, Stephanie Shelton.

Assistant Professors

Casey Calhoun, Megan Duff, Courtney Hattan, Todd Jensen, Constance A. Lindsay, Thi Cam Ha Nguyen, Jessica Rodrigues.

Clinical Associate Professors

Todd Cherner, Nicole Damico, Martinette Horner, Kristin Papoi, Dana Riger, Yuliana Rodriguez, Christopher Scott.

Clinical Assistant Professors

Jemilia Davis, William Evatt, Emily Halpin, Lewis Hatcher, Bradley Smith, Megan Tajlili, Carol Warren, Tiffany Wiggins, Zarifa Zakaria.