Special Education, B.A. (TA to Teacher) – Online

Participants will complete 60 hours of coursework within the B.A. in Special Education program, which includes one semester of student teaching. Classes may be offered full-term (16 weeks), or part-of-term (8 weeks). The program is designed to span the course of two years. Students take 9 credits in fall (part-time), 9 credits in spring (part-time) and 12 credits in summer to attain the required total of 60 credit hours. The online delivery will consist of a combination of synchronous and asynchronous delivery of content via Canvas.

Year 1

Summer: Second Half (July – August)

• SPED 2100: Exceptionality in School and Society (3)
• SPED 3100: Critical Issues in Special Education (3)

Fall:

• First Half – SPED 3175: Instructional Planning in Special Education (3)
• Second Half – SPED 4275: Teaching Reading to Elementary Learners (3)
• Full Semester – PSYC 2117: Introduction to Lifespan Development (3)

Clinical Requirements for Fall: Completion of 30 hours in a K-6 classroom over the fall semester. Assignments include but are not limited to: observations and planning/teaching small and whole groups.

Spring:

• First Half – SPED 4270: Classroom Management (3)
• Second Half – SPED 4272: Teaching Mathematics to K-12 Learners (3)
• Full Semester – SPED 3173: Assessment in Special Education (3)

Clinical Requirements for Spring: Completion of 30 hours in a classroom over the spring semester. Assignments include but are not limited to: observations and planning/teaching small and whole groups.

YEAR 2

Summer: First Half (May – June)

• SPED 4318: Collaboration and Transition-Focused Education (3)
• SPED 4276: Teaching Reading to Middle and Secondary Learners (3)

Summer: Second Half (July – August)

• TESL 4204: Inclusive Classrooms for Immigrant Students (3)
• SPED 4279: Content-Area Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms (3)

Fall:

• First Half – SPED 4277: Teaching Written Expression to K-12 Learners (3)
• Second Half – ELDT 4100: Computer Applications in Education (3)
• Full Semester – SPED 4400: Integrated Instructional Applications in Special Education (3)

Clinical Requirements for Fall: K-12 General Curriculum placement with a qualified clinical educator. Completion of 1 day a week or 2 half days for fall semester. Assignments include but are not limited to: planning/teaching/assessing individual, and small or whole groups.

Spring: (Student Teaching)

• SPED 4475: Student Teaching/Seminar: Special Education K-12 General Curriculum (15)

Clinical Requirements for Spring: Released from TA responsibilities to complete full time student teaching with a qualified clinical educator for 16 weeks.

To be considered for admission to the TA to Teachers program, candidates must meet the following minimum admission eligibility requirements:

• Currently working as a North Carolina K-12 Exceptional Children Teacher Assistant
• Completed undergraduate admissions application and fee
  • NOTE: If you are a former UNC Charlotte Student, please complete a Readmission Application and not an Undergraduate Admissions Application.
• A minimum 2.7 GPA
• An Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associates of Teacher Preparation Degree completed by planned program start (in May) at the latest*
• Transcripts demonstrating a grade of C or above in EDUC 1511 (Public Education and Schooling in the US). If you have not completed these courses, you will be given an alternative online option prior to the start of the program.
• A recommendation from a Principal/ Administrator on official school letterhead
• Passing Praxis Core Scores
  • Get help preparing for the Praxis Core Exam:
    • Attend a free virtual Praxis Core prep session for Core Reading, Core Writing, or Core Math
    • Use recommended study materials from our Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure
    • Find out more about a ed2go online course which helps you get ready for the Praxis Core Exam.

*Transfer and General Education Requirements

We are in partnership with Central Piedmont Community College so that you can complete your Associate of Arts- Teacher Preparation program to seamlessly transition to UNC Charlotte’s program.

Associate degrees earned at out-of-state schools are not guaranteed to transfer to the TA to Teacher path. We will evaluate your associate degree and all transfer credit once you submit your application, application fee, and all transcripts. If your associate degree does not transfer, you must meet (or complete) the UNC Charlotte general education requirements prior to admission to the TA to Teachers program.

If you do not have a completed Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree by your planned program start (May), we recommend that you reach out to a local community college to finish the degree. We are happy to work with you if you are in this process.

Undergraduate Admissions

Application Deadline: June 1, 2026

Step 1: Submit Request for Information Form
Please fill out and submit the “Request Information” form at the top of this page. An academic advisor from the Cato College of Education or the program director will reach out to discuss the program and admissions process.

Step 2: Pre-Admission Transcript Review
After speaking with our staff, you will need to share your unofficial transcripts for preliminary review. The program director will then reach out to discuss your eligibility to apply to the program.

Step 3: Apply for admission to UNC Charlotte
After you have spoken with the Program Director and are prepared to apply, start by completing a university application.

New Student to UNC Charlotte

Application Deadline: June 1 (Please note: Applications open in August)

Students with associate degrees are considered transfer students. Apply as a transfer student to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

• Create an account.
• Choose “Education: Special Education for Teacher Assistants” for your program
• Complete the application.
• Provide all official post-secondary transcripts.
• Application fee must be paid for your application to be processed.

Returning Student to UNC Charlotte

Application Deadline: June 1

Students who have not been enrolled for 12 consecutive months after the semester last attended at UNC Charlotte will need to apply for readmission to the University. Apply as a returning student to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

• Choose “Education: Special Education for Teacher Assistants” for your program
• Choose “Summer II” as your start term
• Attach your principal letter of recommendation and Praxis Core scores at the end of the application as additional items
• Complete the application
• Provide all official post-secondary transcripts
• Application fee must be paid for your application to be processed

Admissions Decisions:

If admitted to the university, you will receive additional communication from the Program Director about your next steps to gain acceptance to the TA to Teacher program.

Students who receive an admissions or readmission decision regarding admittance or denial to the university will be notified by Admissions or the Registrar directly.

Boost Your Teaching Career With Your B.A. in Special Education

UNC Charlotte alumni who completed the B.A. in Special Education program are teaching in school districts such as:

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Cabarrus County Schools
• Union County Public Schools
• Gaston County Schools
• Kannapolis City Schools

By choosing UNC Charlotte’s online TA to Teacher B.A. degree program, you’ll enjoy a number of advantages, including:

Learn from faculty experts. Choosing UNC Charlotte means joining a vibrant community of educators who are not only experts in their fields, but also passionate advocates for their students. They’ll challenge you to think critically, ignite your own passion for learning and prepare you to become a leader among the next generation of educators.

Complete your B.A. online in just two years. Designed for working North Carolina K–12 Exceptional Children TAs, our fully online program allows you to continue working full time as you earn your B.A. in Special Education. This program is offered in a cohort model, so students admitted at the same time will take the same courses together over the program’s two years. Our program features a mix of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (not live) courses. All live courses are offered on weekday evenings.

Gain practical skills and prepare to become a licensed teacher. You will learn and apply evidence-based knowledge and practices in the field of special education. Graduates of the program are prepared to meet the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards (NCPTS) and the 10 Interstate New Teachers Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) Standards for new teachers (Content Pedagogy, Student Development, Diverse Learners, Multiple Instructional Strategies, Motivation and Management, Communication and Technology, Planning, Assessment, Reflective Practice, School and Community Involvement).

Use your classroom as your student teaching experience. You will use your current school classroom to complete the student teaching experience required for this program. The student teaching experience lasts for one semester, in addition to the 60 hours of coursework required to earn your B.A. in Elementary Education.

All teacher education programs at UNC Charlotte are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).