How to Apply & Deadlines

Application Deadlines

Admissions Eligibility Criteria 

The B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education program welcomes UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate and transfer students pursuing a career as a teacher in an elementary school.  

Students may apply to the program after meeting the following requirements: 

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (as required by the State of North Carolina) 
• Test scores via the Praxis Core or a combination of ACT/SAT scores (see Application Materials for specific information regarding testing requirements)
• Completion of the following prerequisite courses: 
  • EDUC 401 (or PSYC 250, EDUC 532) 
  • EDUC 628
  • EDUC 516 or EDUC 689
  • EDUC 307

Successful applicants demonstrate academic readiness, the ability to engage fully in coursework and student teaching experiences, and a clear commitment to making a measurable impact on students, families, and communitiesthrough elementary classrooms. 

Application Process

To apply to the B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education program, you must first request a major change within ConnectCarolina. Once you have submitted the request to change your major in ConnectCarolina, you will receive an email from UNC’s application system, Slate, that includes a link to the online application. Please note that it may take 24-72 hours to receive the application email. 

The program admits students for fall entry only. Therefore, all applicants must initiate a change of major and submit their application through Slate in their sophomore year.

All application materials are submitted electronically. No hard copy materials are accepted. By submitting an application to the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Education, consent is granted to university staff to obtain any additional or missing information as needed, including Campus Safety Information. 

Applicants are encouraged to monitor their application status regularly to ensure all materials are received. 

Application Materials

To apply to the B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education program you must submit the following materials: 

• UNC-Chapel Hill transcript, including current GPA and completed pre-requisite courses. 
• Personal statement/essay (Please reply to each prompt in 500 words or less) 
  • What are one or two formal or informal learning experiences that you believe helped you make the decision to become a teacher?
  • How do your beliefs about teaching, learning, and schools reflect a commitment to inclusive and equitable education for all students? Use specific experiences, values, or aspirations to illustrate how your beliefs will guide your work as an educator.
  • What strengths would you bring to the elementary education program?

Testing Requirements

Degree-seeking students must satisfactorily complete the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators examination for formal admission to approved North Carolina educator preparation programs. Required minimum scores are as follows:

• Reading: 156
• Writing: 162
• Mathematics: 150
• Composite Score: 468

Individuals who achieve a composite score of 468 across the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics Praxis Core exams are considered to satisfy this testing requirement.

Exemptions from Testing Requirements

SAT (Tests taken after March 2016) 

• Composite Score: 1170
• Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 600
• Mathematics: 570
• Individuals with a total redesigned SAT score below 1170 but with a score of at least 600 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section are exempt from the Praxis Core Reading and Writing tests.
• Individuals with a total redesigned SAT score below 1170 but with a score of at least 570 on the Mathematics section are exempt from the Praxis Core Mathematics test.

SAT (Tests taken before March 2016)

• Composite Score: 1100
• Verbal: 550
• Mathematics: 550
• Individuals with a total SAT score below 1100 but with a score of at least 550 on the Verbal section are exempt from the Praxis Core Reading and Writing tests.
• Individuals with a total SAT score below 1100 but with a score of at least 550 on the Mathematics section are exempt from the Praxis Core Mathematics test.

ACT

• Composite Score: 24
• English: 24
• Mathematics: 24
• Individuals with a composite ACT score below 24 but with a score of at least 24 on the English section are exempt from the Praxis Core Reading and Writing tests.
• Individuals with a composite ACT score below 24 but with a score of at least 24 on the Mathematics section are exempt from the Praxis Core Mathematics test.

Transfer Students

If you’ve taken any college coursework after graduating from high school, you’ll apply to the program as a transfer student. The University admits around 900 new transfer students each year, each following a unique journey to Carolina. Some come from other schools within the UNC system, four-year universities across the country, or through the Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program (C-STEP, a pathway for community college students to transfer to and graduate from Carolina.  

The Elementary Education program welcomes both traditional transfer students and C-STEP participants who are interested in pursuing an elementary teaching career. Many sophomore-level required courses, or their approved equivalents, may be completed during summer sessions or at previously attended institutions. For guidance regarding program eligibility, please contact the School’s Student Affairs team.  

For more information on the transfer process at UNC-Chapel Hill, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions website: 

• Transfer Application 
• Transfer Credit 

Learn More About the Program

*Note: Beginning fall 2026, the B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education will become the primary pathway for undergraduate students seeking initial elementary teaching licensure at the UNC School of Education. The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program will continue to offer an elementary education licensure option through the 2027–28 academic year. The MAT program will pause its admissions for elementary education beginning with the 2028–2029 academic year and beyond. For guidance on selecting the program that best fits your goals and timeline, please contact the UNC School of Education’s Office of Student Affairs.