Transitional License

Cumberland University does not offer Transitional Licenses and cannot guarantee that an individual will be granted a Transitional License from  a Tennessee Local Educational Agency (LEA) (a school or district).

The Transitional License program of study in the MAT is only available to individuals who have been hired for an open teaching position and can provide documentation in the form of an Intent to Hire from the approved LEA partner.

Persons interested should read carefully the State’s requirements for a Transitional License.

The Teacher Education Program will collaborate with the aforementioned LEA partner on coursework, mentoring, and support needed to ensure success for all students and the candidate’s own development as a competent, caring, qualified professional educator. 

Candidates who seek to complete the Transitional License program of study must complete the following requirements:

• Be hired by a school or district for an open position and provide a copy of the Intent to Hire from a school or district;
• Apply to the graduate program and be accepted (meeting the requirements in place at the time of admission, completing the application and paying the application fee);
• Submit a transcript from a regionally accredited University for review (additional coursework may be required);
• First enroll in MAE 5180 - The Profession and the Professional, and MAE 5285 - Practicum, and complete any other additional courses as determined by their advisor;
• Purchase LiveText;
• Successfully transition to an apprentice license by meeting the requirements determined by the State Department of Education.

Candidates for licensure who are not interested in completing the full Master's degree can complete a specialized course of study to meet State Licensure requirements.

A program of study will be developed with an advisor based on an interview and transcript analysis. Please contact the Licensure Officer at 615-547-1313 with questions.

Candidates who are hired on a Tennessee Transitional Teacher's License complete the Program of Study listed below.