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Tennessee Teacher Certification

How to Become a Teacher in Tennessee

In order to be eligible to earn a Tennessee teacher certification and teach early childhood, elementary, or secondary education in the Tennessee public school system, candidates must provide proof that they have completed the necessary education and testing requirements set forth by the Tennessee Department of Education. Those candidates who have not yet fulfilled all requirements for a standard teaching license may still be eligible to teach under Tennessee’s alternative route to teacher certification. All applicants must submit fingerprints and undergo a criminal background by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) before they are granted any type of certification or permit to teach in Tennessee schools.

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DeVry University

Popular Programs:

  • Master's-Education
  • Graduate Certificate-Management of Education Corporation/Corporate Training Divisions
  • Graduate Certificate-Education Leadership
  • Graduate Certificate-Curriculum Leadership

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Tennessee Teacher Education Requirements

Tennessee State SealIn order to obtain Tennessee teaching certification a prospective teacher must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute of higher learning and complete a teacher preparation program approved by the Tennessee Department of Education. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree who have not participated in a teacher education program may qualify for an Alternative/Transitional License until such time that the education requirements are fulfilled.

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Profiles of Well Known Schools

University of Tennessee: Located in Knoxville, the University of Tennessee College of Education, Health ,and Human Services readies students who desire an education that focuses on giving back to individuals and community. Quite appropriate given the moniker of the University is “Volunteer.” The College contains several departments including the Department of Educational Counseling and Psychology, Educational Leadership and Policy and Theory and Practice in Education. Students are able to choose from nearly 100 majors in educationally related degree paths leading to diverse and rewarding careers such as k-6 education, middle education, secondary education, educational leadership, counseling, and information technology. The University Of Tennessee College Of Education, Health and Human Services is one of the largest on campus serving thousands of undergraduate and graduate students.

East Tennessee State University: Johnson City, Tennessee is home to Claudius Clemmer College of Education at East Tennessee State University. The College is known for graduating methodical and passionate educators due to their caring and competent faculty, outstanding student services, and innovative educational curriculum. Departments that make up the College of Education include Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, Human Development, and Learning, and Kinesiology, Leisure and Sports Sciences. The sign of a sound College of Education is its accreditation. The ETSU COE is accredited by several agencies and organizations including National Council of Teacher Education, Tennessee Department of Education, and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

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Tennessee Teacher Outlook as 2012
In January 2012, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tennessee’s unemployment rate at 8.7%, slightly above the national average of 8.5%. According to the Occupational Supply and Demand Survey, Tennessee will have 4,596 annual job openings in education and library related fields through 2018. In fall 2008 and 2007, the National Center for Education Statistics listed 64,926 public school and 10,110 private school teachers employed in Tennessee. The average starting teaching salary is $32,525 and the average overall teaching salary is $45,891, the 6th lowest among US states. The NEA also notes teacher shortages in Spanish, ESL, math, science and special education. For updates on policy changes, budget allocation or local employment opportunity, visit the Tennessee Education Association, an affiliate of the National Education Association. For more information on state certification and current outlooks on the education job market, please contact local education degree programs and schools.

Tennessee Teacher Testing Requirements

The state of Tennessee requires that all applicants for initial instructional certification present passing scores on the Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) as well as the Praxis II: Subject Assessments/Specialty Area tests in order to receive a certificate to teach in Tennessee public school systems. The specific tests the candidate is required to take will be based on the grade level and content area they wish to teach. Teachers from any state who received their teaching certificates before 1984, however, are exempt from the testing requirement.

Teacher Quote: “I love the enthusiasm and curiosity of second and third graders. Most of my students still believe they can do anything they want to do, so all I have to do is build on their certainty!” -Mary Pitner, Tennessee Second and Third Grade Teacher

Tennessee Teacher Salary and Jobs

Type Number Employed Average Annual Salary
Preschool Teachers 7,360 $25,890
Kindergarten Teachers 5,030 $45,230
Elementary School Teachers 28,670 $46,260
Middle School Teachers 12,860 $46,270
Secondary School Teachers 18,510 $47,830

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.

Tennessee Teacher Interviews

Interview with Dana Lester, Tennessee First Grade Teacher

Interview with Mary Pitner, Tennessee Second and Third Grade Teacher

School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in Tennessee

Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools

Brandman University Online

Popular Programs:

  • MA in Education (Leadership in Early Childhood Education)
  • BA in Early Childhood Education
  • MA in Educational Leadership and Administration (Tier 1)
  • MA in Education with Instructional Technology Emphasis
  • And more...
University of Phoenix

Popular Programs:

  • M.A. in Education/Early Childhood Ed.
  • M.A. in Education/Secondary Teacher Education
  • B.S. in Education / Elementary Education
  • A.A. in Elementary Education
  • And more...
Concordia University Online

Popular Programs:

  • B.S. in Early Childhood Education (Birth - 5 Years)
  • M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Curriculum & Instruction: Early Childhood Education
  • Special Education (Early Childhood/Elementary)
  • Educational Administration: (EDD)
  • And more...
Western Governors University

Popular Programs:

  • M.A. Teaching (K-8)
  • Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Program (K-8)
  • B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8)
  • M.A. Teaching - Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
  • And more...
DeVry University

Popular Programs:

  • Master's-Education
  • Graduate Certificate-Management of Education Corporation/Corporate Training Divisions
  • Graduate Certificate-Education Leadership
  • Graduate Certificate-Curriculum Leadership

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Teacher in Tennessee

Question: What are the requirements to obtain a transitional license for teaching in Memphis city schools?

Answer: Memphis City Schools will apply for a one year transitional license on your behalf once you have been offered a position. The license can be good for three years and must be renewed yearly. Successful renewal is dependent on admission to a Teacher Education Program.

Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in Tennessee

Aquinas College-Nashville
4210 Harding Pike
Nashville, TN 37205
(615) 297-7545
www.aquinascollege.edu/admissions/index.php

Austin Peay State University
601 College St
Clarksville, TN 37044
(931) 221-7011
www.apsu.edu/admissions/

Belmont University
1900 Belmont Blvd
Nashville, TN 37212-3757
(615) 460-6000
www.belmont.edu/prospectivestudents

Student Review: “My experience at Belmont University has been fantastic! I am a junior now but the past few years have been amazing here. Belmont has a really welcoming environment with many programs designed to bring people together and develop friendships. Belmont has also provided me with many opportunities to meet people in my field and getting to experience working in my field before I graduate.” -Frank S., student at Belmont University

Bethel College-McKenzie
325 Cherry Ave
McKenzie, TN 38201
(731) 352-4000
www.bethel-college.edu/admissions

Bryan College-Dayton
721 Bryan Drive
Dayton, TN 37321-7000
(423) 775-2041

Carson-Newman College
1646 S Russell Ave
Jefferson City, TN 37760
(865) 471-2000
admissions.cn.edu/admissions/default.asp

Chattanooga State Technical Community College
4501 Amnicola Hwy
Chattanooga, TN 37406-1097
(423) 697-4400
chattanoogastate.edu

Crichton College
255 N Highland
Memphis, TN 38111-1375
(901) 320-9700
www.crichton.edu/admissions.html

Cumberland University
One Cumberland Square
Lebanon, TN 37087
(615) 444-2562

East Tennessee State University
807 University Pky
Johnson City, TN 37614-0000
(423) 439-1000
www.etsu.edu/admissions/

Fisk University
1000 17th Ave N
Nashville, TN 37208-4501
(615) 329-8500
www.fisk.edu/admissions/

Free Will Baptist Bible College
3606 West End Ave
Nashville, TN 37205-0117
(615) 844-5000

Lambuth University
705 Lambuth Boulevard
Jackson, TN 38301
(731) 425-2500
www.lambuth.edu

Le Moyne-Owen College
807 Walker Ave
Memphis, TN 38126-6595
(901) 435-1500
www.loc.edu/admission/requirements.htm

Lee University
1120 N Ocoee St
Cleveland, TN 37311
(423) 614-8000
prospects.leeuniversity.edu

Lipscomb University
One University Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37204-3951
(615) 966-1000
www.golipscomb.com

Martin Methodist College
433 West Madison Street
Pulaski, TN 38478-2799
(931) 363-9800

Maryville College
502 E Lamar Alexander Pky
Maryville, TN 37804-5907
(865) 981-8000

Middle Tennessee State University
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
(615) 898-2300

Student Review: “I had a wonderful experience at Middle Tennessee State University. It’s located in the heart of Murfreesboro, TN, about an hour outside Nashville, which makes it a lengthy drive to get to the nearest metropolitan area. Luckily there are plenty of things to do on campus, which I always appreciated. You could walk to class and pass a dozen booths for various organizations and activities. The biggest problem with MTSU is the parking situation. There aren’t nearly enough parking spots for students and the shuttles to class are small and arrive too infrequently to be useful. Otherwise, MTSU is a great experience. All of the professors I had were really helpful and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure that students got the most out of their classes. Middle Tennessee State University is small enough to give you a personalized experience but big enough to expose you to a wealth of new and exciting opportunities.” -Crystal C., student at Middle Tennessee State University

Milligan College
Milligan Hwy
Milligan College, TN 37682
(423) 461-8700
www.milligan.edu/admission/index.html

Southern Adventist University
4881 Taylor Cir
Collegedale, TN 37315-0370
(423) 236-2000
www.southern.edu/enrollment/Pages/default.aspx

Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Blvd
Nashville, TN 37209-1561
(615) 963-5111
www.tnstate.edu/oar

Tennessee Technological University
1 William L. Jones Drive
Cookeville, TN 38505-0001
(931) 372-3223

Student Review: “I have been studying to become a certified teacher in middle schools, focusing on general science, at Tennessee Tech. Thus far, the program has exceeded my expectations. Tech is a fairly large school with a larger Teacher Certification program, and I was initially apprehensive that I would not receive enough individual support. However, I have been pleasantly surprised by how much individual attention students can get if they simply go that extra step to seek professors out. I have found that the professors for my program have what is essentially an open door policy. I have even dropped in for a chat or extra support when the professor’s office hours had past. The friendly, approachable nature of the professors in my program have made all the difference to me. The one complaint I have is the lack of cutting edge technology use. We are preparing to teach in an age when technology will be increasingly used in classrooms, even in those with younger students. I would like to see greater emphasis on learning to use the latest technology in our classrooms. This would better prepare me for the rapid developments in technology I will be faced with as a new teacher.” -Ashley W., student at Tennessee Technological University
Student Review: “I liked the actual educational courses pertaining to art, as it was relevant to the subject I wished to teach, but also because the professor was amazing. She knew how and why to teach art the way we should, and used hollistic approaches to art education. The classes were fun, while still learning valuable lessons in theories and methods of teaching visual art. My practicum and student teaching were wonderful experiences and helped me prepare to become a professional in the field after graduation. However, I cannot give 5 stars because the general education department gave me trouble in my last few years. They did not have clearly stated rules on what was to be accomplished before teaching, and thus caused me to be held back an extra semester. This meant more student loan debt, and loss of income from not being able to obtain a job. I fought to appeal this but was ignored or dismissed. Otherwise, if you’re interested in Art Education, this is a great place to be for both the educational and studio art courses and the professors who oversee them.” -Laura M., student at Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Temple University
1815 Union Ave
Chattanooga, TN 37404
(423) 493-4100
www.tntemple.edu

Tennessee Wesleyan College
204 East College Street
Athens, TN 37303
(423) 745-7504
www.twcnet.edu/Admissions/admissionsfrontmain.htm

The University of Tennessee
Circle Park
Knoxville, TN 37996
(865) 974-1000
utk.edu/futurestudents/

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
615 McCallie Ave
Chattanooga, TN 37403-2598
(423) 425-4111
www.utc.edu/admissions.php

The University of Tennessee-Martin
University Street
Martin, TN 38238-5021
(731) 881-7000
www.utm.edu

Trevecca Nazarene University
333 Murfreesboro Rd
Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 248-1200
www.trevecca.edu/admissions

Tusculum College
60 Shiloh Road
Greeneville, TN 37743
(423) 636-7300
www.tusculum.edu/admission/

Union University
1050 Union University Dr
Jackson, TN 38305-3697
(731) 668-1818

University of Memphis
Memphis, TN 38152
(901) 678-2000
admissions.memphis.edu

Student Review: “My program at the University of Memphis was a very academically challenging and rigorous series of classes. Much of the workload included managing the classroom, budgeting materials, and how to work with inner-city youth and impoverished children. Which, to be honest, I was worried about because I had no experience in the area. However, after two semesters I found that the same best practices used with those children I was able to apply to all kids. Also, the student teaching experience gave me the opportunity to branch out and understand what skills I would have working with a class full of kids. The only thing I would change is the minor needed. I felt that it was just extra busy work for the institution.” -Aaron J., student at University of Memphis

Vanderbilt University
2101 West End Avenue
Nashville, TN 37240
(615) 322-7311
www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/

Page edited by Charles Sipe.

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