English Language Learners
Students in this program must pass the Praxis English to Speakers of Other Languages Test before they are considered candidates for licensure and permitted to student teach. Candidates should take this test during the first six months in the program. If a candidate cannot pass the exam, they may elect to defer course taking in this program of study until such time as they pass the Praxis test, or transfer to the Master of Arts in Education program, which will allow them to complete a Master's degree without licensure.
For initial license candidates, the program is 36 semester hours including the student teaching semester and seminar. Individuals with a valid and current Tennessee teacher's license may complete a subset of the courses below for an add-on endorsement in English and a Second Language PreK-12 (endorsement code 490). Please contact an education faculty member or the Licensure Officer for information.
Candidates will complete the specific course requirements below.
Emphasis in English Language Learners
Program of Study
| MAT 5014 | Education for the Developing Learner | 3 |
| SPE 5040 | Advanced Educational Assessment of Exceptional Students | 3 |
| MAT 5070 | Advanced Classroom Management | 3 |
| MAT 5080 | Diverse Populations | 3 |
| MAT 5180 | Education: The Profession & The Professional | 3 |
| MAT 5250 | Building Literacy in the K-12 Classroom | 3 |
| MAT 5510 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| MAT 5520 | Instruction & Planning for English Language Learners | 3 |
| MAT 5530 | Field Experience with English Language Learners | 3 |
| MAT 5540 | Reading and Writing in the Content Areas | 3 |
| MAT 5285 | Practicum | 3-9 |
| | or | |
| MAT 5286 | Student Teaching | 3 |
| MAT 5287 | Teaching Seminar | 3 |
Traditional student teaching is completed in one semester with MAT 5286 and MAT 5287 as co-requisites.
Job embedded clinical experience is completed in two semesters with MAT 5285 (first semester of employment) and MAT 5287 (second semester of employment).
36 minimum hours required for graduation.
Licensure: Candidates for a Tennessee teaching license must pass state-required assessments to be qualified for a license. Assessment requirements periodically change. Candidates must consult the Tennessee Department of Education and Educational Testing Service websites for a list of current licensure assessments. Teacher licensure candidates are responsible for taking and passing the correct licensure assessments at specific times in their program of study as is detailed in the online Teacher Education Handbook.