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• American History (6 hours)
• World History (6 hours)
• American government or equivalent (3 hours)
• Political Science (3 hours)
• Economics or equivalent (3 hours)
• Psychology or equivalent (3 hours)

*Prerequisites may be waived in part or whole if candidate has a passing Praxis II social studies content score at the time of admission.

Total Hours: 30

Educator Preparation Core (9 hours)

*Offered as 8-week asynchronous online courses, the Educator Preparation Core provides foundational knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning.

• EDN 5040 Basic Tenets of Education (3)
• EDN 5120 Advanced Study of Exceptionality in Children (3)
• EDN 5450 Introduction to Curriculum Design and Best Practices (3)

 

Pedagogy  (9 hours)

*Offered as 16-week synchronous online courses, class sessions are held weekly in the evenings (5:15-8pm) via Zoom. This sequence of Methods courses provides candidates with in-depth understanding of disciplinary literacy in the social studies, the effective use of technology in the classroom, the effective application of teaching with primary sources; and effective assessment of student learning.

• SSE 5100 Principles of Social Studies Education and Instruction
• SSE 5350 Curriculum and Assessment in the Social Studies
• SSE 5500 Advanced Social Studies Curriculum and Instructional Methods

 

Content in the Social Studies (9 hours)

*Offered primarily as synchronous online courses, class sessions may be held in the evenings via Zoom. Content courses are designed to provide in-depth knowledge in historical methods and content.

• HST 5000 Historiography
• Select 2 courses from any of the following: 
  • GGY 5030 Descriptive Regional Analysis
  • HST 5400 Themes in World History
  • HST 5740 Intro to Public History
  • SOC 5020 American Pluralism
  • SSE 5600 Technology and Learning with Primary Sources
  • SSE 5750 Social Studies Curriculum Transformation
  • SSE 5820 Social Studies Seminar

 

Internship (3 hours)

Culminating clinical practice for Social Studies initial teacher licensure.  Course requirements include licensure exam, EdTPA portfolios and a full-time clinical internship or residency internship teaching experience in the licensure area

• SSE 5810 Internship in Social Studies Education

• NCCSS Attendance
• Pass PRAXIS 2 (5081 - highschool 9-12) OR (5089 - middle grade 6-9)
• Pass edTPA

Is this an online program?

We are not a fully online program. While many of the required courses are offered in an online format, you can expect up to half of your coursework to be face-to-face. These classes are offered once per week in the evenings over the course of the 16-week semester in the fall and spring. 

Do you have summer classes? 

Yes! Every summer there are course offerings available for our MAT students. We know that a significant number of our students are also full-time teachers, so we work to ensure that we offer courses in the summer to better meet our collective student needs. You can expect these courses to be fully online with  synchronous learning sessions. 

How long does it take to get through the program?

The entire program is 30 hours. Matriculation through the program depends on a number of factors, including: the number of courses taken per semester, summer classes, and satisfactory progress in the program requirements. 

GPA Requirements

Minimum GPA requirements for Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) are determined by state law. Per state law, no candidate may be admitted into an EPP unless they have a minimum 2.70 GPA. EPPs have the right to require higher minimum GPAs. At UNCP’s EPP, the minimum GPA to be considered for FULL admission is 2.75. Candidates with less than a 2.75 may still be eligible for consideration.

GPA is only one criterion for consideration in the admission process. GPA alone does not determine acceptance. Other factors are considered.

My undergraduate GPA is less than a 2.75, can I still be considered for admission into the MAT Program?

Applicants may be eligible in part for conditional admission if they have a GPA less than 2.75, but higher than a 2.64 GPA. The applicant will not be admitted to the EPP until they demonstrate a minimum GPA of 2.70 in the program.

If an applicant has less than a 2.64 GPA, other work experiences in a P-12 educational setting may be considered in part for conditional admission to the program, but not the EPP. The applicant cannot be admitted to the EPP until they demonstrate a minimum GPA of 2.70 in the program.

What if I have been hired by a school, but I do not meet the minimum GPA requirements?

Per Article D of Chapter 115C-269.15 North Carolina state law, no candidate may be admitted into an EPP unless they have a minimum 2.70 GPA. Therefore, our GPA admission requirements into the EPP are the same for all applicants.

However, if you have been hired by an LEA, who has determined that you have 10 or more years relevant work experience, a letter to that effect from the hiring LEA shall stand in lieu of the GPA requirement per Article D of Chapter 115C-269.15 North Carolina state law. 

What if I have graduate coursework that is a 3.0 or higher, but my undergraduate GPA is less than a 2.75?

You can be considered in part for full admission. If you have taken graduate coursework, you are encouraged to submit those transcripts and have that GPA be considered in lieu of your undergraduate GPA. Graduate GPAs must be a 3.0 or higher to be considered.

What if I have taken undergraduate coursework at multiple institutions?

You can be considered in part for Full or Conditional admission. We will calculate and consider your cumulative GPA across all courses that you have taken. Please submit transcripts from ALL institutions where you completed coursework.

Praxis 2/Content Requirements

All applicants must meet the content prerequisite requirements for the degree program to be considered, in part, for Full admission. Applicants who do not meet the content prerequisite requirements at the time of application, may be considered, in part, for conditional admission. If accepted, candidates will then be expected to complete these content requirements in addition to the 30 hour degree requirements.

What if I have taken and passed the Praxis 2 content exam?

If, at the time of application, an applicant can provide a score report demonstrating a passing score on the Praxis 2: Social Studies content area exam (test no. 5081 for high school or 5089 for middle grades), a passing test score on test no. 5081 or test no. 5089 shall meet the content prerequisite requirements.

What are my options if I do not meet all the content prerequisite requirements?

If you do not have passing Praxis 2 scores and/or do not meet all the content prerequisite requirements, you may be considered, in part, for conditional admission. If accepted, candidate status will remain Conditional until ALL content prerequisite requirements are met. Satisfactory completion (B- or better) of required coursework is expected to be completed within one year of admission to the program (e.g. August 15 of the following calendar year for Summer/Fall admissions; December 31 of the same year for Spring admissions).

Conditional Admission

If a candidate is conditionally admitted, the candidate will be issued an Individual Plan of Study that outlines what must be done to be considered for FULL admission. Upon conditional admission, candidates are expected to meet with their program area director to review their plan and discuss expectations for meeting provisions.

What does conditional admission mean exactly?

Conditional admission means you do not fully meet all admission requirements but can still begin the degree program. Conditional admits are not automatically admitted to UNCP’s Educator Preparation Program (EPP) and must apply for admission to the EPP separately once the provisions are met.

Will UNCP still sign my Residency License (RL) form if I am conditionally admitted?

In short, yes, the licensure office will sign the RL form for conditionally admitted candidates as long as the candidate is making progress toward their provisions.

What happens if I do not meet my conditions by the stated deadlines?

Candidates who fail to meet their provisions by the stated deadlines, will be dismissed from the program. Candidates may appeal for an extension no later than 30 days prior to the deadline. Requests for extensions less than 30 days prior to the deadline will not be considered.

Are there any restrictions to financial aid if I am conditionally admitted?

Yes, there are limits to financial aid eligibility under conditional admission. Candidates who do not meet their provisions within one year will not be eligible for financial aid. Candidates are strongly encouraged to consult with the Graduate School and the Financial Aid Office for proper guidance and support with financial aid eligibility requirements.

Financial Aid

Per federal regulations, graduate students must take a minimum of 4.5 hours per semester to be considered for financial aid. Effectively this means that all candidates should be prepared to take 2 classes (6 hours) per semester in order to be eligible for financial aid. For more information on financial aid and eligibility, please go here: /admissions/costs-and-financial-aid/financial-aid/graduate-students. Candidates are strongly encouraged to consult with the Graduate School and the Financial Aid Office for proper guidance and support with financial aid eligibility requirements.

Course Delivery

The MAT in Social Studies Education is a Hybrid program, meaning that courses are offered in a variety of formats that include asynchronous online, blended learning environments, and virtual attendance options for classes with face-to-face components. For more information on specific course deliveries, see

Some courses also require field experience where candidates must complete observations and co-teaching experiences in a school setting. Residency candidates may complete this requirement at their site of employment. All others must ensure they are able to satisfy this requirement at an approved school for our program.

What will I be charged if I take an online class in a Hybrid program?

Regardless of mode of delivery, any course taken in a Hybrid program will be charged at the face-to-face delivery rates.

Residency License Pathway

This alternative pathway to becoming a professional educator allows candidate to obtain a teaching position while working toward licensure through an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). Upon being hired by a school district in the state of North Carolina, Residency candidates must affiliate with an EPP. UNCP’s Residency License program is housed within the MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) degree program. For more information, see .

How long do I have to complete a Residency program?

The state allows candidates to teach on a Residency license for up to 3 years. Candidates must remain enrolled in an EPP the entire time they are on a residency license. We offer plans of study that will last the maximum duration of the residency license.

What happens if I graduate with my MAT before completing all my requirements for an initial license?

Upon graduation, candidates are no longer enrolled in the EPP and, therefore, no longer able to have their enrollment verification form signed by the EPP. Candidates are strongly encouraged to work with their program advisors to pace coursework accordingly.

IMPORTANT - If a candidate completes the degree before their third year of Residency, UNCP cannot process their form verifying enrollment after degree completion. Licensure is separate from the degree.

How do I get a “clear” initial license?

In order to obtain an initial license, candidates must successfully complete an EPP, be recommended by the EPP for a license, and PASS all licensure exam requirements (e.g., Praxis 2 and edTPA). See DPI for more details.

What happens if I complete the program, but have not passed my licensing exams?

UNCP will not recommend candidates for licensure until ALL exam requirements have been met. More importantly, we do not offer support for passing licensure exams beyond degree completion. We strongly recommend that candidates make every effort to successfully pass ALL licensure exams prior to degree completion (e.g., Praxis 2 and edTPA).

What happens if I change my specialization/subject area after I have been accepted?

Because there are different licensing exams and content requirements for different licensure areas, each program area has different admission requirements. Therefore, if a candidate changes their subject area after being admitted into one program, they must reapply to the new program through the Graduate School.

Upon admission how to I get my RL enrollment form signed?

UNCP’s Licensure office will only sign enrollment forms if/when an applicant/candidate enrolls in coursework. Once enrolled, candidates submit their enrollment forms via this link: /academics/colleges-schools/school-education/pathway-licensure/residency-licensure

What happens if I withdraw from a class?

If a candidate withdraws from enrollment after the RL form has been signed, UNCP’s licensure office will notify the LEA of employment human resources office. Candidates are strongly encouraged to confer with their program advisor before withdrawing from any courses.