Frequently Asked Questions

What is Birth-Kindergarten Licensure?
Birth-Kindergarten Licensure qualifies individuals to work with children ages birth through five years, including children who have disabilities and children who are developing typically. It is an interdisciplinary license incorporating best practices from early childhood education, early childhood special education, child and family studies, and elementary education. Individuals who earn this license are qualified to work in a variety of early childhood settings including public schools, developmental day centers, child care centers, and early intervention programs. The Birth-Kindergarten approach emphasizes:

• teacher-directed and child-directed learning activities to meet the individual developmental and learning needs of young children
• inclusion of children with special needs in classrooms with children who are developing typically
• collaboration with families as the primary teachers and decision-makers for their children
• respect for diversity of children and families, including diversity in culture, language, and ability.
  

Which license is best if I want to teach Kindergarten?
In North Carolina, individuals holding either Birth-Kindergarten or Elementary (K-6) licensure are fully qualified to teach Kindergarten. We believe that the principles and practices taught in the Education of Young Children program are especially appropriate for meeting the developmental and learning needs of children in Kindergarten. Some school systems in North Carolina prefer that Kindergarten teachers have B-K licensure, whereas others prefer Elementary licensure for Kindergarten teachers. If you are interested in teaching Kindergarten, we recommend that you find out which license is preferred in the school system(s) where you want to teach.

How long will it take me to add Birth-Kindergarten licensure to my existing degree or license?
The answer to this question depends on many factors, including your existing degree or license, the number of related courses you have taken in the past, your related experience, the number of courses you can take at one time, and the availability of summer and/or online courses during the time you are enrolled. Recently, students who are enrolled part time have completed their programs of study in 1½ to 4 years. Students who are enrolled full time can generally finish more quickly, but up to two years may still be needed for full time students who have an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field. It is important to remember that a significant commitment of time and energy is required to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively with young children and their families. To find out how many courses will be required for you and how long it will take you to add B-K licensure, start by clicking here.

When do I have to be admitted to the Watson School of Education? How do I get admitted?
It is important to understand that admission to the Watson School of Education (WSE) is a separate process, completed after you are admitted to UNC Wilmington and often after you have completed some of your coursework.

Undergraduates: Plan to complete admissions requirements and apply for admission by the end of your sophomore year. For further information about how to complete admissions requirements, click here.

Individuals With Degrees but No Teacher Licensure Who Are Adding B-K: Plan to complete admissions requirements as soon as possible after you begin taking courses at UNCW, to avoid delays in your eligibility to take upper-level Education courses. Admission requirements for individuals with existing BA/BS degrees typically include passing the Praxis I tests, completing EDN 200 and EDNL 200 with a grade of “C” or better, meeting minimum GPA requirements, and completing an application. For more information, click here.

Individuals With Teacher Licensure in Another Area: Complete an application for admission to WSE in Room 308 Education Building during the first semester you are enrolled at UNCW. Write “licensed teacher” at the top of the application.

Can I double-major?
It is possible to double-major in Education of Young Children and another non-Education field such as Social Work or Psychology. Students who are interested in double-majoring should consult the second department for program requirements. Completion of a degree with a double major takes longer than completion of a degree with the EYC major only. For students who wish to earn teacher licensure in more than one area, the most efficient way to accomplish this goal is to earn a degree and licensure in one area and then add licensure in a second area. For example, one additional year of study is needed to add Elementary licensure to a degree in Education of Young Children with B-K licensure. However, it would take longer to complete an undergraduate degree with majors in both EYC and Elementary Education.

Do I have to complete an internship?
The Watson School of Education does not offer a non-licensure option in Education of Young Children, so all individuals who complete a program of study in this major must complete an internship. The type and length of the internship depends on the student’s program of study and whether or not the student is currently teaching at the Pre-K level in an approved setting. To learn more about internship requirements for undergraduates, and individuals adding licensure who are not currently teaching, click here.

What else can I do with this degree and license besides teaching?
For other potential positions with this degree see career opportunities.

Where can I earn an advanced degree in Early Childhood?
UNCW does not yet offer a Master’s Degree or Advanced Licensure in Birth through Kindergarten. For a list of institutions in North Carolina that offer this option, including contact people, visit http://www.lrc.edu/home/bkconsortium/index2.htm.