M.Ed. in Elementary Education

No longer accepting applications after Aug. 1, 2024; See M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction

The Master of Education in elementary education can help you, the experienced teacher, broaden your expertise and prepare for future leadership roles. If you are interested in working in educational administration, becoming a school principal or have an interest in designing school curriculum, the M.Ed. will give you the skills required to be successful in the next level of your career.

The UNC Charlotte M.Ed. in Elementary Education program is a 33-hour program designed for teachers who wish to become instructional leaders, advanced practitioners, and global educators. Our students develop leadership skills and specialized content knowledge to effectively manage challenges in urban elementary classrooms. Teachers can acquire content knowledge and eligibility for additional certification through coursework in concentration areas, including Academically or Intellectually Gifted, Anti-Racism in Urban Education (ARUE), Elementary Mathematics, Instructional Systems Technology, Literacy, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education, Special Education and Teaching English as a Second Language.

Why choose our M.Ed. in Elementary Education?
  • The M.Ed. coursework is fully online so it provides flexibility and convenience for you to study at your own pace, from your home or office.
  • The Elementary Education faculty continuously achieves regional, state, and national recognition as experts in their field in scholarship, teaching, and research. They provide you with the personal attention, instruction, guidance and the mentoring you need.
  • Our coursework focuses on targeted, practical assignments that can be used in our candidate’s classroom the next day. Students can apply strategies in a real-world setting without having to leave their teaching responsibilities.
  • Our program’s extensive array of concentration areas sets us apart from other programs and gives our students options that meet their interests and leadership aspirations.
  • All teacher education programs at UNC Charlotte are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Elementary education alumna named Chief Academic Officer for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Career Options

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to grow 7 percent by 2026. Rising student enrollment should increase demand for kindergarten and elementary teachers. Graduates may pursue careers in a number of areas including the following:

  • Charter and public school pre-K and elementary schools teachers
  • Program administrator
  • Instructional specialist
  • Literacy facilitator
  • Math or science facilitator
  • Curriculum directors for schools or textbook companies
  • Child care center director
  • Principal or assistant principal
  • Tutor
  • Student teacher supervisor
  • Educational consultant for public or private schools
  • Education specialist for museums and community parks
  • Corporate training consultant
  • Education policy consultant for government or non-profit organizations

Graduates may also apply for a doctoral program which prepares them for leadership positions within their school or district.

Student Opportunities

The Capstone Project/ Action Research Project course allows students to hone their research skills and showcase their competencies while working with their mentor or faculty advisor. Students develop and implement significant research projects based on data they have collected and analyzed from their own classrooms — the results of which they can submit for publication or presentation at local and state conferences.

The Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL) is an information and student success resource for current and potential teacher candidates. Their staff provides a variety of services such as: information on (and preparation resources for) testing required for program admission and teacher licensure, verification of program completion for teacher licensure, guidance surrounding the teacher licensure application process, and information on campus resources and scholarships/loans for education students.

The Center for Graduate Life provides the support and sense of community students need to meet the challenges they will face throughout their graduate experience. The Center offers workshops on topics like grant writing, presentation skills, publishing in scholarly journals, and understanding the academic job search. Virtual workshops are available online on subjects such as graduate academic writing and research writing at the graduate level.

The University Career Center provides services, programs, and support for students and alumni. Services include such options as an Education Career Fair held each spring semester, individual appointments with career advisors and the Hire-A-Niner online job and internship database. Southern Teachers Agency is a free placement service that helps recent graduates in their search for education jobs in PK-12 private and independent schools around the South.

Learn from experts in the field of elementary education

Our faculty members not only demonstrate an in depth knowledge of their field, but also a passion for the ideas embodied in their discipline. Our faculty are involved in cutting-edge research with articles appearing in some of the leading research journals in the field, including the Journal of Research in Childhood Education and the Journal of Literacy Research and Instruction. Faculty have authored multiple books such as Improving teaching and learning: Using Self-regulation to Engage in Strategic Action Research and Action Research: Using Strategic Inquiry to Improve Teaching and Learning, and Handbook of Research on Professional Development for Quality Teaching and Learning to name a few. Still others work in professional organizations by leading committee work, acting as journal editors and serving on grant review boards.

Professors have also been recognized for their teaching, research and student mentoring as recipients of several prestigious awards including the Teaching Fellows Teaching Excellence Award, the Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence, the Board of Governor’s Award for Teaching Excellence and the UNC @ i3 Technology Fellowship. Click here to learn more about all our faculty’s many accomplishments and recognitions.

Do you want to help shape the minds of the next generation? If so, click here to learn more about the requirements for the Master of Education in Elementary Education, graduate student financial aid and the graduate application process.