The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, serves North Carolina, the United States and the world through teaching, research and public service. We embrace an unwavering commitment to excellence as one of the world’s great research universities.
Our mission is to serve as a center for research, scholarship and creativity, and to teach a diverse community of undergraduate, graduate and professional students to become the next generation of leaders. Through the efforts of our exceptional faculty and staff, and with generous support from North Carolina’s citizens, we invest our knowledge and resources to enhance access to learning and to foster the success and prosperity of each rising generation. We also extend knowledge-based services and other resources of the University to the citizens of North Carolina and their institutions to enhance the quality of life for all people in the State.
With lux, libertas (light and liberty) as its founding principles, the University has charted a bold course of leading change to improve society and to help solve the world’s greatest problems.
Some of the things I’ve learned in the MAT program that will serve me well in the future are to always be adaptable and to not be afraid to take risks in the classroom. Adaptability is one of the most important skills a teacher can have and through experiences like student teaching and experiential learning, I’ve been able to become a very adaptable teacher.
Gracie Grant
Programs
Bachelor’s & licensure
Baccalaureate Education in Science and Teaching (UNC-BEST)
UNC-BEST is a collaboration between the School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences. This innovative program was created to attract college students majoring in science and mathematics into secondary teaching.
With UNC-BEST, you can complete your training—including certification and an undergraduate science/math major—in four years by combining individualized coaching, intensive teaching experiences in K-12 classrooms and relevant STEM content integrated with pedagogy.
Students at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have reduced the cost of their program using these methods. Check with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to see if you can, too!
Amount
Description
Forgivable Education Loans for Service
The Forgivable Education Loans for Service provides financial assistance to qualified students enrolled in an approved education program and committed to working in critical employment shortage professions in North Carolina. Find eligible degree programs and more information at https://www.cfnc.org/FELS.
$8,250
North Carolina Teaching Fellows
The UNC School of Education is a partner with the North Carolina Teaching Fellows program which provides support for future teachers in mathematics, science, and special education.
Varies
C-STEP Program
Taking courses at the community college can significantly reduce the cost of obtaining your bachelor's degree. UNC Chapel Hill has partnerships with 14 community colleges. If you’re a high school senior who’s planning to enroll at one of our partner community colleges or a college student currently attending one of these schools, we hope you’ll consider applying to C-STEP and that you’ll reach out to your local community college counselor for help and support.
Depending on your major, you'll take a selection of courses designed for future teachers in STEM disciplines.
Pedagogy (4 hours): One discipline-specific pedagogy and methods course taught in the Departments of Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry, Geological Sciences or Physics and Astronomy. This course includes a four-credit seminar and field-based practicum, and it meets requirements for the major.
BIOL 410 Principles and Methods of Teaching Biology (4 hours)
CHEM 410 Instructional Methods in the Chemistry Classroom (4 hours)
GEOL 412 Principles and Methods of Teaching Earth Science (4 hours)
MATH 410 Teaching and Learning Mathematics (4 hours)
PHYS 410 Teaching and Learning Physics (4 hours)
Educational Foundations (9 hours)
You'll take three courses, taught in the School of Education, that focus on educational foundations, child/student development and general pedagogy.
EDUC 689 Foundations of Special Education (3 hours)
EDUC 532 Introduction to Development and Learning (3 hours)
EDUC 615 Schools and Community Collaboration (3 hours)
You'll complete 12 credit hours of student teaching:
EDUC 593 Internship/Student Teaching – Topic ID – UNC BEST & Music Education (12 hours)
Seminar (1 hour)
EDUC 601 Education Workshops (must be completed during student teaching semester) (1 hour)
Program Hallmarks
Our secondary STEM education program combines a strong mathematics and science major with strong pedagogical and clinical components. Teacher-candidates in the UNC BEST program engage in coursework and student teaching designed to enhance understanding of teaching and learning, focusing on adolescents and teenagers.
Our faculty is committed to providing equitable access to STEM careers and literacy for a diverse community of learners. We build and cultivate interest in math and science education through innovative and socially responsive research, teaching and teacher preparation informed by the learning sciences, designed to prepare future teachers to better educate and empower diverse populations.
Each student is paired with a mentor teacher who helps guide them through their student teaching experience. The mentoring process provides a framework for each new teacher to feel comfortable and confident to fully develop potential in the classroom.
The process to effectively refine lessons and apply new strategies includes continuous reflection on professional practice. Reflection is enhanced when approached as a shared dialogue among colleagues.
Our community of students, faculty and staff is deeply committed to the shared mission of realizing equity of educational access and outcomes for all learners in our increasingly diverse communities—locally, statewide, nationally and globally.
We challenge ourselves to address the most difficult and complex educational questions and issues across the P-20 continuum through cutting-edge research, development and engagement. We approach our scholarship with a determination to inform current educational practices, programs and policies. We strive to imagine better futures, and work toward a society where a great and transformative public education is accessible to all—lifelong, lifewide, and where wellbeing, health and prosperity are within everyone’s reach.
UNC Chapel Hill has partnerships with 14 community colleges. If you’re a high school senior who’s planning to enroll at one of our partner community colleges or a college student currently attending one of these schools, we hope you’ll consider applying to C-STEP and that you’ll reach out to your local community college counselor for help and support.
