Elon Charlotte
Why Charlotte?
Choosing Charlotte as the next National Campus Program location was an easy choice. Firstly, Charlotte was the largest American city without a law school. Elon University has a thriving law program in Greensboro, NC and wanted to offer the same quality experience in Charlotte. The Elon Law Flex Program opened in Charlotte August 2023. The first cohort of students exceeded the initial enrollment goal. Applications for the second cohort are 30% higher than just one year ago.
Secondly, Charlotte boasts a high concentration of sports teams (both professional and collegiate) and sports organizations. In September 2022, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Board of Directors announced that the conference office was moving its headquarters to Charlotte in 2023. Experiential opportunities like internships and undergraduate research are plentiful because of the existence of these sports teams and organizations. The Sport Management major continues to grow at Elon, but all students who are interested in sports from any major (business analytics, strategic communications, marketing, etc.) can participate in professional development opportunities. The abundance of these opportunities and connections to a strong professional network are not available to the same degree at the central campus.
Similarly, banking and health care continue to grow in the metropolitan area. Charlotte is the number two banking city in the US. Our students and alumni have plentiful internship and career choices, respectively, as well as the opportunity to engage and network with top industry professionals. As more people move to Charlotte, there is more demand for quality health care. Currently, there is a lack of Physician Assistant (PA) programs in the area. To aid in this deficiency, Elon has proposed starting a PA program in January 2027.
Charlotte also continues to grow each year. 157 people move to the Charlotte metro area each day. Charlotte is now the 14th-most populous city in the United States with a population of 917,000. If you include the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metropolitan area, the population is 2.8 million people. Charlotte is also a top five destination where Elon undergraduate alumni move to after graduation. This presents a unique opportunity for continuing and professional education possibilities not only for Elon alumni, but for the entire Charlotte community.
Lastly, equity was also a big reason why we choose Charlotte. Not all of our students can afford the global and domestic study away opportunities we offer in cities like Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, DC. Charlotte is reasonably priced while still offering unique opportunities for all students of any major and interest.
The Elon Charlotte Campus is located at 330 W. Tremont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203.
Graduate Academics
Law Flex Program
The Charlotte campus is offering a new, part-time Elon University School of Law J.D. program, which provides high-quality legal education in Charlotte. Elon Law is the only law school in Charlotte. The program builds on the success of its highly experiential, full-time curriculum in Greensboro, N.C., with the same distinguished faculty teaching in-person to meet the needs of aspiring attorneys in the Queen City seeking to study law with the flexibility of part-time program.
The Elon University Charlotte law program began August 2024. Students in the part-time Flex Program have the opportunity to take many of the same elective courses offered in Greensboro (plus others tailored to the Charlotte market) and to participate in extracurricular and experiential opportunities such as clinics, law journals, and moot court programs.
Physician Assistant Studies Program
The Elon University Charlotte PA Program is a 24-month curriculum designed to integrate medical knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional skill development. We prepare students to be compassionate physician assistant leaders who are committed to health equity and engaged in community. Graduates are equipped to work in one of the most in-demand professions in the nation. Learn more about the Elon Charlotte PA Program.
For more information email Dr. Veronica Marciano, Chair & Founding Program Director, vmarciano@elon.edu.
The Elon University Charlotte Physician Assistant (PA) Program has applied for Accreditation-Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The Elon University Charlotte Physician Assistant (PA) Program anticipates matriculating its first class in January 2027, pending achieving Accreditation-Provisional status at the September 2026 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Please note that the program will not commence in the event that the provisional accreditation is not received.
Undergraduate Academics
Elon Charlotte hosted the inaugural “The Sport and Community Experience” academic program in fall 2023 for sport management majors and minors. A group of undergraduate students lived in Charlotte and took specialized classes taught by full-time Elon faculty. As part of this experience, students interned at local organizations including Fox Sports and the Atlantic Coast Conference, conducted site visits to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Team Penske, Bank of America Stadium, and the Spectrum Center, and attended sporting events to watch the Checkers, Knights, Panthers, Hornets, and Charlotte FC.
In addition to the fall program, students of all majors can take part in the Study USA Charlotte summer program. More information on the fall and summer programs and a link to apply can be found on the Study USA website Study USA website. These experiences serve as professional launching pads. Students who secure an unpaid internship and/or an internship at a non-profit should apply for funding through the Queen City Internship Program. If a student or parent has questions about the Elon in Charlotte experience, contact Associate Director of Elon Charlotte Karen Neff, kneff2@elon.edu.
Student Life
All on-site staff who work with Study USA programs go through Student Life trainings so they are equipped to handle the variety of situations students may encounter living in a new city. On-site staff also receive AlertTraveler alerts in their respective locations. Permanent on-site staff are CPR certified. ALL of Elon’s policies still apply at all National Campus Program locations.
Community Partnerships
Elon Charlotte has formed an impactful partnership with Roof Above. Each semester, students serve dinner to homeless members of the community. Community service is embedded in the Elon Charlotte experience and students understand that they are members of the Charlotte community. Service hours are added to a student’s Elon Experiences Transcript (EET). Read more about the program’s commitment to service:
Experiential Education
All students who enroll in an undergraduate Elon in Charlotte program are required to complete an internship. A major goal of Elon in Charlotte is developing deep and meaningful connections with industry professionals. An important way of developing those connections is through internships based in Charlotte. Students learn what it means to be a professional, how to create and build a professional network, and apply what they have been learning in the classroom to a professional experience.
Students are not placed in internships; they work with Assistant Director of Career Services for Study USA & International Students, Nathalie Perez, to apply and interview for internships.
A student’s registered internship and participation in Study USA Charlotte will appear on the Elon Experiences Transcript (EET). This transcript documents a student’s participation in the five program areas that make up the Elon Experiences: Global Engagement (Study Abroad/Study USA), Service, Leadership, Internships, Undergraduate Research Collectively, these programs reflect important values which add to the total college experience and prepare students as a lifelong learners and citizens. Official copies of student’s Elon Experience Transcript can be ordered along with official academic transcripts through the Registrar’s Office online.
Summer and Fall 2024 students were asked about their internships. Here’s what they had to say.
Student Quotes About Internship Experiences
“During this internship, I had the privilege of working with an incredible team and gaining hands-on experience in event planning and management. I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to attend the Championship races in Phoenix, where I helped execute our hospitality spaces, as well as assist with the planning and execution of Awards Week here in Charlotte. What made this experience unforgettable, was the team I worked alongside. They welcomed me with open arms, providing countless opportunities for growth and learning.”
-Addy ’27, Sport Management major, Interned with NASCAR
“From writing player bios and conducting interviews to producing engaging content with platforms like Box Out and SIDEARM Sports, I’ve strengthened my storytelling skills while learning how to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment.”
-Kaelyn ’26, Journalism major, Interned with Queens University of Charlotte
“My time at Sports Business Journal was transformational. At SBJ, I had the opportunity to write six articles that were published. I also had the opportunity to network with rising stars in the sports business industry. This experience has solidified my intent to pursue a writing-centered career post-graduation.”
-Jesse ’26, Sport Management major, Interned with Sports Business Journal
“Every day, I’ve applied skills developed throughout my Elon coursework, such as organization, communication, and adaptability to real projects that made a direct impact on this organization. This experience has solidified my passion for event management and inclusive programming, and it has helped me see how I can turn that passion into a career. I now feel more confident in my professional abilities and inspired to pursue a future where I can combine my interests in hospitality, service, and community development.”
-Katie ’26, Marketing major, Interned with Special Olympics NC
“I’ve had the opportunity to engage in two distinct and highly valuable internships, each playing a pivotal role in shaping my understanding of what my future career in the sports industry might entail.”
-Lauren ’27, Sport Management major, Interned with NASCAR and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
“The internship has helped me strengthen my technical skills, build confidence, and learn about sports broadcasting and storytelling in a fast-paced, real-world environment. It’s been an incredibly valuable opportunity that’s helped clarify my interests and shape the next steps in my career path!”
-Tyler ’27, Cinema & Television Arts and Environmental and Ecological Science double major, Interned with the American Cornhole League
“I learned about different areas such as compliance, career development, and overall athlete support and explored current issues in college athletics, such as the House settlement and the SCORE Act, which sparked my interest in how legislation and policy impact college athletics.”
-Lucy ’26, Sport Management and Exercise Science double major, Interned with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
Admissions
Fredrick Evans is the admissions counselor for the Charlotte area. He holds information sessions, visits high schools, and attends college fairs. High school students who are interested in learning more about Elon are encouraged to reach out to Fredrick and attend local events to learn more about the university.
Alumni
Office of Alumni Engagement supports an active Charlotte regional alumni chapter. Each fall, the chapter hosts a Welcome to the City event for new alumni to the area. Follow the chapter’s Instagram account @elonclt for updates. All upcoming alumni events can be found on the Elon Alumni Calendar.
If you are looking for an apartment in Charlotte, Foster Flats will waive their application fee for Elon alumni. Foster Flats is located in the South End neighborhood of Charlotte.
If you are a Charlotte-based alumnus in need of career support, Elon has a dedicated career services professional to support you at no cost. Lasse Palomaki supports Elon alumni nation-wide.
Employer and Organizational Partnerships
Elon University is seeking partnerships with Charlotte-based companies, nonprofits, and community organizations to provide impactful internship opportunities for our students during the upcoming summer term. Please click on the one sheet below to learn more. If you’d like to learn more about hosting an Elon intern, contact Associate Director of Corporate and Employer Relations, Ryan Taube, rtaube@elon.edu.
Future Collaborations and Endeavors
Elon Charlotte will host additional events for our admissions, advancement, and Student Professional Development offices. The Charlotte Campus will continue to expand, with plans to announce additional graduate offerings in the future. If you are a college or university who is interested in having your students take part in the summer or fall Elon in Charlotte program, please email Ashley Pinney at apinney@elon.edu.
Memberships
Elon University is proud to be an investor in the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance (CRBA). As an investor in the CRBA, Elon Charlotte has access to leadership opportunities, networking events, and meaningful community engagement. National Campus Programs staff are part of the Alliance’s Higher Education Committee and the Membership Committee. Our staff attend Investor Quarterly Meetings and our summer interns participate in the impactful INTERN CLT program to meet other students interning in Charlotte for the summer and to hear from professionals from a wide-range of industries. Elon Charlotte also hosts Alliance events at the campus.
Living in Charlotte
The CRBA has great information about living in Charlotte and working there. The Charlotte Light Rail is an affordable, hassle-free way to move through Charlotte. The 11-mile Charlotte Rail Trail is a wonderful way to see Charlotte by foot or bike. Charlotte magazine puts out an annual list of the top restaurants. There is always so much to do in the Queen City, too!