Prospective Transfer Student Resources
Welcome Future 49ers! UNC Charlotte is the #1 institution in NC for transfer students (based on enrollment), and we’re excited to work with you in the Cato College of Education as you prepare to lead a classroom of your own. TEAL advisors are familiar with the transfer student experience and are available to assist you through the transfer process. Whether you plan to transfer to UNC Charlotte next semester or next year, you are welcome to contact TEAL (teal@charlotte.edu or 704-687-8725) to connect with an advisor now. The sooner you start planning, the easier and more efficient your transition will be. In the meantime, please use the information below as a guide.
UNC Charlotte Transfer Admissions
Our Transfer Admissions site is a wealth of information for future students. Here you can access the Future 49er Application Portal and find information on the application process and deadlines, how credits will transfer, and courses you can take at your current institution that will directly apply to your education major at UNC Charlotte. A few notable resources for future education students include:
- Transfer Credit Advisor – An online database of courses that have transferred from other colleges and universities across the country.
- Cato College of Education Transfer Guide – Information on recommended testing and courses that are helpful (not required) to complete prior to transferring to UNC Charlotte. Guides are available for students attending both North Carolina Community Colleges (NCCCs) and other institutions.
- NCCC Baccalaureate Degree Plans – Course-by-course planning guides to complete an associate’s degree at NCCCs and an education bachelor’s degree at UNC Charlotte.
Admission to UNC Charlotte vs. Admission to the Cato College of Education
All new education students will transfer to UNC Charlotte as pre-majors. Pre-education majors become education majors once they meet all admission requirements to teacher education. You can start working on those admission requirements before transferring to UNC Charlotte by:
- Taking prerequisite coursework. All majors in the Cato College of Education require a grade of C or better in EDUC 1511 (Public Education and Schooling in the US) and SPED 2100 (Introduction to Students with Special Needs). Equivalent courses are available at NCCCs (EDU 216 and EDU 221, respectively) and at many other institutions (see Transfer Credit Advisor).
- Note #1: EDU 216 is generally unrestricted at NCCCs, but EDU 221 has multiple prerequisites. Most students will need to take SPED 2100 instead after transferring to UNC Charlotte. Both EDUC 1511 and SPED 2100 are offered each fall, spring, and summer at UNC Charlotte, often with at least one online section.
- Note #2: The prerequisite course for the Minor in Secondary Education is MDSK 2100 (Foundations of Education and Diverse Youth in Secondary Schools). It does not have an NCCC equivalent but is also offered each fall, spring, and summer at UNC Charlotte.
- Passing the Praxis Core. The Praxis Core is an admission exam required for all teacher education programs in North Carolina. It is offered regularly at test centers across the state and can be taken anytime. For more information, visit our testing site.
- Note: Students can be exempt from the Praxis Core with sufficient SAT/ACT scores. SAT and ACT scores are often not sent to UNC Charlotte by transfer students because they are not an admission requirement to the University. Be sure to check your scores against the exemption standards on our testing site and submit them to the TEAL Office if they meet the requirements.
- Earning a strong GPA. The minimum GPA accepted for admission to teacher education programs in North Carolina is 2.7. Most students will establish this GPA at UNC Charlotte during their first semester while they work to meet other admission requirements for their major (GPAs start over at the time of transfer). If a student transfers will all other admission requirements met, however, their transfer GPA may be used. Make sure yours meets the requirement!
Transfer Timelines
Education programs at UNC Charlotte have structured curriculums. In order to stay on track to timely graduation, students should plan to start their major coursework by the terms listed in the chart below. All teacher education admission requirements must be met before major coursework can begin. Because of this, students should typically plan to transfer the term (or, at a minimum, the summer term) before they intend to start their major.
| Program | Intended Start Term | Suggested Transfer Term |
|---|---|---|
| Child and Family Development (B-K) | Fall, Junior Year *Must start in fall term* | Spring of Sophomore Year or Summer after Sophomore Year Allows for completion of prerequisite courses |
| Elementary Education (K-6) | Fall, Junior Year | Spring of Sophomore Year or Summer after Sophomore Year Allows for completion of prerequisite courses |
| Special Education (K-12) | Fall, Junior Year | Spring of Sophomore Year or Summer after Sophomore Year Allows for completion of prerequisite courses |
| Special Education/Elementary Education Dual Program (K-6) | Fall, Sophomore Year *Must start in fall term* | Summer after Freshman Year Allows for completion of prerequisite courses |
| Middle Grades Education (6-9) | Spring, Sophomore Year | Fall of Sophomore Year Allows for completion of prerequisite courses and work towards concentration requirements |
| Secondary Education Minor (9-12) | Fall, Junior Year | Summer after Sophomore Year Allows for completion of prerequisite course and work towards major requirements |
| Foreign Language Education Minor (K-12) | Fall, Junior Year | Summer after Sophomore Year Allows for completion of prerequisite course and work towards major requirements |
Contact TEAL
Remember, we’re here to help! TEAL advisors are available to guide you through the transfer process and can discuss the education program that is right for you now, even if you don’t plan to transfer right away. Contact us at teal@charlotte.edu or 704-687-8725 to speak with an advisor or schedule an in-person appointment.