Application Deadline
Summer 2026 (Regular): March 10, 2026
Admissions Requirements
The MAT program welcomes applicants who have earned — or are on track to earn — a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to enrolling. Students are generally expected to complete their undergraduate degree in the Spring prior to beginning the program. If graduation is anticipated after May, applicants must contact the program for approval prior to applying.
Successful candidates typically demonstrate academic readiness, the ability to engage fully in graduate-level coursework and student teaching experiences, and a clear commitment to making a meaningful impact in classrooms and communities.
Applicants are encouraged to monitor their application status regularly to ensure all materials are received.
Application Process
To apply to the MAT program, you must submit the following materials:
- An online application
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your academic potential, related experiences, and career goals.
- Unofficial transcripts from all postsecondary institutions
- Priority is given to applicants with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
- Official transcripts will be required upon admission.
- Statement of Purpose (500 words) that offers a thoughtful response to the following questions:
- 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 MAT program?
- Resume/CV (Priority will be given to candidates who have experience working with children and youth)
- Application fee: $95 (non-refundable)
- Select applicants are available for an application fee waiver.
- Official TOEFL/IELTS (International applicants only; valid within the last two years)
- Interview (by invitation) with program faculty after initial application review
Your application will be reviewed following the application deadline. By applying to UNC-Chapel Hill, you consent to the university obtaining additional information if needed, including campus safety records. Admission offers are term specific. If you do not enroll, you must reapply for future terms.
For International Applicants Only
- Please submit your application as early as possible so that you can complete additional paperwork required for your Form I-20 request through ISSS: https://isss.unc.edu/newstudent/
- Once your application is submitted, please contact jialiu@email.unc.edu so that your application will be flagged for review.
- You must consult with the Graduate School instructions for graduate applicants for requirements of international students that are in addition to the MAT Admissions requirements.
- Accepted International Students must arrive in the United States by the program start date on their Form I-20 in order to begin coursework at UNC.
- After you arrive in Chapel Hill and complete ISSS Check-In, you are required to apply for Curricular Practical Training in order to be assigned to a fieldwork placement. For more details, see: https://isss.unc.edu/student-employment/cpt
- If an international student would like to pursue NC professional educators licensure post-graduate, the NC Department of Public Instruction has advised that all applicants must have a social security number and work authorization in order to be considered for an NC license.
Learn More About the Program
Prerequisite Courses
Applicants to the following content areas must show successful completion of specific prerequisite courses. Transcripts must reflect a grade of C or better if taken for a letter grade, or a grade of P, for Pass, if taken pass/fail.
Required Courses
- LING 101: Introduction to Linguistics (or approved equivalent)
- EDUC 532: Learning and Development or EDUC 401 Introduction to Early Childhood Development or PSYC 250 Child Development (or approved equivalent)
- EDUC 307 (previously listed as MATH 307): Mathematics in Elementary Schools (or approved equivalent)
We recommend the following UNC-Chapel Hill courses for undergraduate students interested in the Elementary Education (K-6) or Special Education (K-6) tracks through MAT:
- EDUC 567: Children’s Literature in Elementary and Middle School
All applicants who apply for Elementary Education or Special Education are required to fill out the Prerequisite Approval Form. The completed form should be submitted to Jia Heiny at jialiu@email.unc.edu for approval.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a related content area typically meet the prerequisite requirements. If your degree is not content-related, you must have 24 approved credit hours across the following areas, including at least three credit hours in each:
- Biology (e.g., Ecology, Botany, Zoology)
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Earth Sciences (e.g., Geology, Earth Science, Astronomy, Physical Geography)
- Genetics or Anatomy and Physiology
The remaining nine credit hours may be distributed across any of the above categories.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a related content area typically meet the prerequisite requirements. If your degree is not content-related, you must have 24 approved credit hours across the following areas, including at least three credit hours in each:
- US History (e.g. Survey of US History, US History Since 1945)
- World History (e.g. World Civilizations, World Regional History courses, such as Asia, Africa)
- U.S. Government and Civics (e.g. Minority Politics, American Politics)
- Geography (e.g. World Regional Geography, Physical Geography)
- General Social Studies (e.g. Anthropology, Economics, Psychology, Sociology)
The remaining nine credit hours may be distributed across any of the above categories.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a related content area typically meet the prerequisite requirements. If your degree is not content-related, you must have 30 approved credit hours across the following areas, including at 3-6 credit hours in each:
- Medieval British Literature (3 credit hours) (e.g. Chaucer, Pope)
- Romantic British Literature (3 credit hours) (e.g. Wordsworth, Eliot)
- Shakespeare (3 credit hours)
- Pre-1660 Literature (3 credit hours) (e.g. Renaissance Drama, Literature of the Early or Late Renaissance, Renaissance Women Writers, Milton, Old English Literature, Renaissance Authors)
- 1660-1900 Literature (6 credit hours required) (e.g. 18th century Literature/Drama/Fiction, Irish Writing 1800-2000, English Romantic Period, American Literature Pre-1860 or 1860-1900, The American Novel, Southern American Literature, Southern Women Writers)
- Post-1900 Literature (3 credit hours) (e.g. The Western, American Poetry, Introduction to Latino/a Studies, Jewish American Literature, Contemporary NC Literature)
The remaining nine credit hours may be distributed across any of the above categories.
We recommend the following UNC-Chapel Hill courses for undergraduate students interested in the Secondary English/Language Arts track through MAT:
- ENGL 313 Grammar of Current English (or equivalent)
- ENGL 314 History of the English Language
- ENGL 368 African American Literature, 1930-1970 OR ENGL 369 African American Literature 1970-present
- ENGL 373 Southern American Literature
- ENGL 374 Southern Women Writers OR ENGL 446 American Women Authors
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a related content area typically meet the prerequisite requirements. If your degree is not content-related, you must have 24 approved credit hours across the following areas, including at least three credit hours in each:
- Concepts in Algebra and Geometry (e.g. Linear Algebra, Abstract Algebra, Real Numbers and Algebra)
- Discrete Math (e.g. Computational Discrete Math, Discrete Structures)
- Calculus of Functions of One Variable I & II (e.g. Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Advanced Calculus)
- Introduction to Probability and Statistics (e.g. Statistics I, Biostatistics, Probability)
- Geometry (e.g. Euclidian and Non-Euclidian Geometry, Geometry of Curves and Surfaces, Computational Geometry)
The remaining nine credit hours may be distributed across any of the above categories.