One of the largest challenges facing our community, state, and nation is the lack of an adequate supply of exceptional teachers who have developed the skills necessary to have an immediate positive impact on the lives of students. In the School of Education at UNCG we are committed to addressing this challenge, and the Haggai Academy is one of our many initiatives that support this commitment. Launched in 2018, the Haggai Academy provides financial and professional support to non-traditional students who are preparing to become licensed educators in the State of North Carolina through initial licensure pathways.
Students in the Haggai Academy are enrolled as either an undergraduate or graduate student in the School of Education initial licensure programs pertaining to the following:
- Elementary Education (K-6) (B.S., NC Teach, MAT.)
- Middle Grades (6-9) (B.S., NC Teach, MAT.)
- Special Education (K-12) (B.S., NC Teach, PAIL, MAT.)
- Deaf Education (K-12) (B.S.)
- Secondary Education (9-12) (N.C. Teach and MAT)
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (K-12) (NC Teach and MAT)
Students accepted will benefit from a scholarship ranging up to $8,000 depending on the academic program. In addition, students will get access to a wide range of additional co-curricular opportunities to help prepare them for a successful career as an educator. The additional co-curricular opportunities include a leadership component focusing on ethics, a range of service learning experiences, seminars related to current topics in the teaching profession, and an engaging mentorship program.
If you are a non-traditional student interested in teaching in the fields listed above, then the Haggai Academy offers an amazing opportunity for you to explore.
Students eligible for the Haggai Academy must meet the criteria outlined below for degree program, academic standing, and status as a non-traditional student. Only applications completed by the posted deadline will be considered. All applications require the completion of the FAFSA form by the UNCG deadline for the selected academic year. In addition, acceptance into the Haggai Academy is contingent upon one’s acceptance to UNCG and an eligible academic program for the given year in which the candidate has applied.
DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet one of the following academic program enrollment classifications:
- Be enrolled in UNCG as a pre-major in one of the following programs: Elementary Education, Middle Grades Education, Special Education, or the Elementary Education & Special Education Dual Major Program
- Be enrolled as a major in one of the following programs: Elementary Education, Middle Grades Education, Special Education, or the Elementary Education & Special Education Dual Major Program
- Be enrolled in MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) with a concentration in Elementary Education, MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) with a concentration in Middle Grades Education, or MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) with a concentration in Special Education.
ACADEMIC STANDING REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet the following academic standing criteria:
- Applicants without a degree who are not currently UNCG students – minimum high school diploma with grade point average (GPA) of 2.75
- Applicants with an undergraduate degree – minimum GPA of 3.0 in coursework leading to the degree
- New transfers to UNCG – minimum of 30 transferable hours in relevant coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Current UNCG students – minimum UNCG GPA of 3.0
STATUS AS A NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT
Applicants must be 24 years or older at the time of application. Applicants can come from a broad range of backgrounds, including (but not limited to) Veterans, Teacher Assistants, Community College students, and current UNCG students.
The Haggai Academy supports opportunity and excellence through scholarships and a wide range of co-curricular activities.
HAGGAI ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIPS
$5,000 for the academic year, for eligible undergraduate pre-majors (not yet admitted into upper division) in Elementary Education, Middle Grades, Special Education, or the Elementary Education & Special Education Dual Major
$8,000 for the academic year for undergraduate students enrolled as majors in Elementary Education, Middle Grades, Special Education, or the Elementary Education & Special Education Dual Major
$8,000 for the academic year, for students enrolled in the MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) program
HAGGAI ACADEMY CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMMING
Students in the Haggai Academy engage in a range of co-curricular training and experiences.
- Seminars. Students attend 90-minute seminar sessions, offered approximately three times per semester that include information about the work/practice of school counselors, nurses, social workers, and additional support service personnel. Leading these sessions will be faculty from affiliated departments and units at UNC Greensboro such as the School of Nursing and the departments of Counseling and Educational Development; Information, Library, and Research Sciences; Specialized Education Services; Communication Sciences Disorders; Public Health; and Social Work.
- Service Learning. Students engage in community-based learning that aid them in integrating their own beliefs about people and learning as well as stereotypes about students and their families. Such community engagement will also broaden the students’ knowledge about children and families and the services available to them through the introduction of wrap-around services.
- Leadership Development. Students in the Haggai Academy will earn hours and receive leadership certificates recognizing their community service beyond their internship/student teaching responsibilities.
- Breadth of Experience. Students will be introduced to, and will work with, teachers, principals, and various school personnel presently working in schools designated as Title I.