The BEST Minor program includes 24 credit hours of coursework structured to integrate foundational knowledge, pedagogical training, and an immersive student-teaching experience. Students progress through three key components in order:
- 9 credit hours of educational foundations courses;
- 3 credit hours of a pedagogy course; and
- 12 credit hours of a student teaching internship and advanced methods courses
Academic Courses
Educational Foundations
- EDUC 689: Foundations of Special Education (3 credit hours)
- EDUC 532: Introduction to Development and Learning or EDUC501: Development in Adolescence/Adulthood (3 credit hours)
- EDUC 615: Schools and Community Collaboration (3 credit hours)
Pedagogy (Fall Semester ONLY)
- EDUC 760: Advanced Methods for Teaching Secondary Subjects (3 credit hours)
Student Teaching and Advanced Method (Spring Semester ONLY)
- EDUC 746: Student Teaching Internship and Special Topics Seminar (9 credit hours)
- EDUC 747: Methods and Materials for Teaching Secondary Subjects (3 credit hours)
Note: Prior to student teaching, students must complete foundation and pedagogy courses and complete the requirements for their major.
Learn More About the Program
Student Teaching Internship
The student–teaching internship is a required component for our students in the BEST Minor program, providing real-world experience that connects educational theory with classroom practice.
Licensure
Upon completion of the BEST Minor program, our students will be fully prepared for North Carolina licensure in either Secondary Mathematics (grades 9–12) or Secondary Comprehensive Science (grades 9–12). Regardless of your major, all licensure requirements are completed through the School of Education.
Graduates pursuing teaching positions outside North Carolina should be aware that licensure requirements vary by state, and reciprocity is not automatic. Candidates will need to meet the specific licensure criteria of the state where they seek employment.
North Carolina Teaching Fellows
Students in the BEST Minor program are eligible for the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program, which offers up to $5,000 per semester in forgivable loans for students committed to teaching elementary education, special education, or secondary STEM education in North Carolina. Eligibility for funding varies based on program entry point.