MA in Teaching in Child and Family Studies - Early Education (Birth-Kindergarten) in Charlotte United States | University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program caters to professionals who have finished the Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Development: Birth through Kindergarten. This 35-credit hour program consists of two stages—the Graduate Certificate phase (Phase I) and the Master's degree completion phase (Phase II). Finishing Phase I grants candidates the North Carolina Standard Professional 1 (SP1) license for Birth-Kindergarten education, requiring 21 credit hours, including a graduate internship. Eligible participants can then advance to Phase II to pursue their Master's degree and qualify for the North Carolina Standard Professional 2 (SP2) license.

The Office of School and Community Partnerships assists students with school-based clinical experiences, yearlong internships, and student teaching placements. Fieldwork—observing, engaging with, and instructing children—forms an essential component of UNC Charlotte's teacher education programs. These practical experiences progress throughout the program, culminating in a full-time, 15-week student teaching placement after completing all coursework.
The Center for Graduate Life fosters a supportive community, offering workshops on grant writing, presentation techniques, academic publishing, and job search strategies. Online sessions cover graduate-level writing and research skills.
The University Career Center provides career development resources, including an annual Education Career Fair, one-on-one advising, and access to the Hire-A-Niner job portal. Southern Teachers Agency, a complimentary service, aids graduates in securing positions at private and independent PK-12 schools across the Southern region.