Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Programs | College of Education

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.): Special Education

The B.A. program in Special Education includes a choice of one of two licensure areas: (1) the Special Education: General Curriculum license or (2) the Special Education: Adapted Curriculum license. The Special Education: General Curriculum license qualifies graduates for the Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License to teach children with special needs in grades K-12 with mild disabilities (i.e., learning disabilities, mild cognitive disabilities and emotional/behavioral disabilities). The Special Education: Adapted Curriculum license qualifies graduates for the Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License to teach children with special needs in grades K-12 with severe disabilities (i.e., significant cognitive disabilities, multiple disabilities).

To see a program planning sheet, refer to the links on the left-hand side of this page. For more information, please contact the Office of Teacher Education Advising, Licensure, and Recruitment (TEALR) at 704-687-8725 or Dr. Janet Baxter (Undergraduate Special Education Advisor) at 704-687-8833 or jbaxter@uncc.edu.

Admission Requirements for B.A.: Special Education

Completion of at least 30 semester hours of coursework
Overall GPA of at least 2.5
A grade of “C” or better in EDUC 2100 and SPED 2100
Passing scores on all three parts of the Praxis I (Reading, Writing and Mathematics)
or acceptable alternatives (SAT or ACT scores)
Admission application through the TEALR Office

Program Objectives
Graduates of the program are prepared to: provide individually planned, systematically implemented, and carefully evaluated instruction for students with special needs; provide educational services to students with special needs in general classrooms, resource classrooms, and other educational settings; and help students with special needs achieve the greatest possible personal self-sufficiency and success in present and future environments. Graduates of the program are prepared to meet the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards and the ten Interstate New Teachers Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) Standards for new teachers in Content Pedagogy, Student Development, Diverse Learners, Multiple Instructional Strategies, Motivation and Management, Communication and Technology, Planning, Assessment, Reflective Practice, and School and Community Involvement.

Academic Advising
Freshmen and sophomores who intend to major in Special Education are classified as Pre-Education students in Special Education. These students are assigned an advisor in the College’s Office of Teacher Education Advising, Licensure, and Recruitment (TEALR), who help students select appropriate General Education and elective courses, and who will help them meet the requirements for admission to teacher education. To be admitted to the Teacher Education Program in Special Education, students must have completed an admission application through the TEALR office, attained a grade of “C” or above in EDUC 2100 and SPED 2100, attained passing scores on all three parts of the Praxis I test or acceptable alternatives (SAT or ACT scores), and attained an overall GPA of at least 2.5 in at least 30 semester hours of coursework.

Applications for admission to the Teacher Education Program in Special Education are available from and are to be returned to the TEALR office after a student has earned at least 30 semester hours of coursework. Students are then assigned a major advisor in special education who assists planning the remainder of the program of study, including selection of one of the two licensure areas. Course selections for each subsequent semester must be approved by the student’s advisor in special education. Assignment of the student’s major advisor is the responsibility of the Undergraduate Special Education Advisor in the Department of Special Education and Child Development (SPCD).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.): Special Education – General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program

In addition to the traditional Special Education General Curriculum or Adapted Curriculum K-12 Program options, the Department of Special Education and Child Development in collaboration with the Department of Reading and Elementary Education also offers a B.A. in Special Education - General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program. The Special Education - General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program qualifies graduates for the Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in Special Education General Curriculum K-6 and Elementary Education K-6. Graduates from the dual program will be licensed to teach children with mild disabilities in grades K-6. Additionally, the dual program qualifies graduates for entry level positions in the elementary general education classroom in grades K-6.

To see a program planning sheet, refer to the link on the left-hand side of this page. For more information, please contact the Teacher Education Advising, Licensure, and Recruitment (TEALR) office at 704-687-8725 or Dr. Kelly Anderson (Program Coordinator) at 704-687-8832 or keanders@uncc.edu.

Admission Requirements for B.A.: Special Education – General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program

Completion of at least 30 semester hours with grades of “C” or above in General Education requirements
Overall GPA of at least 2.5
A grade of “C” or better in EDUC 2100 and SPED 2100
Passing scores on all three parts of the Praxis I (Reading, Writing and Mathematics) or acceptable alternatives (SAT or ACT scores)
Admission application through the TEALR Office
Completion of a Professional Statement (see Application for Admission to a Teacher Education Program - Dual Program)
Preadvisor's recommendation and approval (TEALR Advisor)

Program Objectives
Graduates of the Special Education - General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program are prepared to: provide individually planned, systematically implemented, and carefully evaluated instruction for students with disabilities; provide educational services to students with disabilities in general classrooms, resource classrooms, and other educational settings; and help students with disabilities achieve the greatest possible personal self-sufficiency and success in present and future environments. Graduates of the program are prepared to meet the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards and the ten Interstate New Teachers Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) Standards for new teachers in Content Pedagogy, Student Development, Diverse Learners, Multiple Instructional Strategies, Motivation and Management, Communication and Technology, Planning, Assessment, Reflective Practice, and School and Community Involvement.

Academic Advising
Freshmen and sophomores who intend to apply for the Special Education - General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program are classified as Pre-Education students in the dual program. These students are assigned an advisor in the College’s Office of Teacher Education Advising, Licensure, and Recruitment (TEALR), who help students select appropriate General Education courses and who will help them meet the requirements for admission to teacher education. To be admitted to the Teacher Education Program in the Special Education - General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program, students must have completed an admission application through the TEALR office, attained a grade of “C” or above in EDUC 2100 and SPED 2100, attained passing scores on all three parts of the Praxis I test or acceptable alternatives (SAT or ACT scores), and attained an overall GPA of at least 2.5 in at least 30 semester hours of coursework with grades of “C” or above in General Education requirements. In addition, all applicants must submit a professional goals statement detailing their interest in obtaining dual licensure. Preadvisor’s recommendation and approval (TEALR Advisor) are necessary.

Applications for admission to the Teacher Education Program in the Special Education - General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program are available from and are to be returned to the TEALR office.

The Special Education - General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program will accept 30 students per academic year. Once 30 applicants have been accepted into the dual program, the application process will be closed. Students cannot apply to the dual program once they have already taken courses in another education program. Applications will be reviewed first by TEALR to determine that minimal acceptance requirements have been met. A second review of applications will occur by the Program Coordinator of the dual program. During the duration of the program students will be advised by the Program Coordinator of the Special Education - General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program. Students accepted into the Special Education - General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6 Dual Program will be required to attend advising sessions each semester during the program.