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 416 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 for formal admission to approved North Carolina educator preparation programs. The required scores follow:
    • Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading – 156
    • Core Academic Skills for Educators: Writing – 162
    • Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics – 150
    • Individuals with a composite score of 468 on Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics shall be deemed to have satisfied this requirement.
  • Exemptions from Testing Requirements:
    • Individuals with a total SAT score of 1100 taken prior to March 2016 are exempt from Praxis Core testing requirements for teacher education program admission. Individuals with a total redesigned SAT score of 1170 taken after March 2016 are exempt from Praxis Core testing requirements for teacher education program admission.
    • Individuals with a total SAT score of less than 1100 taken prior to March 2016, but a score of at least 550 on the Verbal test are exempt from the Preprofessional Skills Tests in Reading and Writing for teacher education program admission. Individuals with a total redesigned SAT score of less than 1170, but a score of at least 600 on the evidence-based reading and writing test are exempt from the Preprofessional Skills Tests in Reading and Writing for teacher education program admission.
    • Individuals with a total SAT score of less than 1100 taken prior to March 2016, but a score of at least 550 on the Math test are exempt from the Preprofessional Skills Test in Mathematics for teacher education program admission. Individuals with a total redesigned SAT score of less than 1170 taken after March 2016, but a score of at least 570 on the Math test are exempt from the Preprofessional Skills Test in Mathematics for teacher education program admission.
    • Individuals with a composite ACT score of 24 are exempt from Praxis I Core testing requirements for teacher education program admission.
    • Individuals with a composite ACT score of less than 24, but with a score of at least 24 on the English test are exempt from the Preprofessional Ski ls Tests in Reading and Writing for teacher education program admission.
    • Individuals with a composite ACT score of less than 24, but a score of at least 24 on the Math test are exempt from the Preprofessional Ski ls Test in Mathematics for teacher education program admission.

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