Who Is Eligible?
- Graduating high school seniors in North Carolina
- Current UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate students joining the B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education or UNC-BEST Minor program
- Current UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate students who are seeking early-affiliation with the MAT program
- Students at community colleges or other institutions transferring to UNC-Chapel Hill to pursue teacher licensure, including C-STEP
- North Carolina residents who already have a bachelor’s degree seeking initial teacher license through the MAT program
- North Carolina residency licensed teachers earning their teaching certification through Pathway to Practice NC
Qualified Programs
B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education
New Program for Fall 2026!
The B.A.Ed. in Elementary Education program prepares teachers for today and tomorrow, earning dual North Carolina licensure in Elementary Education (K–6) and either Special Education – General Curriculum (K–12) or English as a Second Language (K–12) through research-grounded coursework and hands-on classroom experience. Graduates understand their students deeply, possess subject matter expertise and effective teaching strategies, and make an immediate, measurable impact on students, families, and communities.
Licensure:
- Dual licensure in Elementary Education (K–6) and either Special Education – General Curriculum (K-12) or English as a Second Language (K–12)
UNC-BEST, Baccalaureate Education in Science and Teaching
The UNC-BEST Minor program offers a fast-track path for undergraduates pursuing a bachelor’s degree in science or math to gain the knowledge and licensure to become a high-school teacher. By combining deep content expertise, a real-world student-teaching experience, and expert mentorship, our graduates leave Carolina licensed and prepared to make real impact in North Carolina classrooms.
Licensure:
- Secondary (9-12) Science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Geology)
- Secondary (9-12) Mathematics
UNC-BEST students also complete a bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Biology, Chemistry, Geological Science, Physics, or Mathematics.
Pre-MAT is an early affiliation option for current UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate students, allowing them to take up to 12 graduate-level education credits that may count toward the MAT program if admitted.
*North Carolina Teaching Fellows funding is available for up to 8 semesters; thus, coursework beyond the 8 semesters would be the responsibility of the student.
Master of Arts of Teaching (MAT)
The MAT program prepares aspiring teachers to earn initial North Carolina licensure through structured coursework and an intensive two-semester student-teaching internship, developing effective future-ready educators equipped to support, challenge, and inspire students. This intensive, full-time, 13-month program — runs from June to May.
Licensure:
- Special Education – General Curriculum (K-12)
- Middle Grades (6-9) Science
- Middle Grades (6-9) Mathematics
- Middle Grades (6-9) English
- Middle Grades (6-9) Social Studies
- Secondary (9-12) Science
- Secondary (9-12) Mathematics
- Secondary (9-12) English
- Secondary (9-12) Social Studies
*North Carolina Teaching Fellows funding is available for up to 8 semesters; thus, coursework beyond the 8 semesters would be the responsibility of the student.
Pathways to Practice North Carolina (P2PNC)
Pathway to Practice NC is a joint program between NC State University and UNC-Chapel Hill designed to help residency licensed teachers on a residency/temporary license in North Carolina schools earn their teaching certification.
Licensure:
- Elementary Education (K–6)
- Special Education – General Curriculum (K-12)
- Middle Grades (6-9) Science
- Middle Grades (6-9) Mathematics
- Secondary (9-12) Science
- Secondary (9-12) Mathematics