Teaching Education Degrees in Tennessee

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Consider an online teaching program currently accepting applicants for 2024.

School Level Program Admissions

Campbellsville University

All Levels Online Associates, Bachelor's, Master's Programs
Multiple (20+) online Associate, Bachelor, and Master of Education programs in Elementary and Early Childhood Education.
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Click for more online teaching programs currently accepting applicants for 2024.

With more than 40 teaching schools in the state, Tennessee students have an excellent choice in teaching programs designed to provide them with certification and licenses as teachers.

Below is an overview of a few of the many colleges and universities along with some of the top teaching programs.

  • 21 teaching programs in Tennessee accredited by CAEP
  • 7 CAEP-accredited Bachelor's degrees
  • 9 CAEP-accredited Master's degrees in Tennessee

After completion of a Bachelor's degree and an approved Tennessee teacher preparation program system that includes in-class experience, a candidate is required to take state assessments for educators. They are the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching exam appropriate for the grade level to be taught and the Praxis content-area exam that correlates to the grade level and subject to be taught.

Requirements to Teach in Tennessee

No teacher preparation program will recommend licensure to the Board of Education before the exams are passed. Online or out-of-state school graduates are not issued teaching certificates unless they can prove a program from an accredited institution has been completed.

All applicant have to submit fingerprints and undergo federal and state criminal background checks. Candidates do not submit applications on their own unless instructed to do so. An initial Practitioner license, valid for three years, can be renewed once. Attending continuing education while holding a Practitioner License is required to earn PDPs (Professional Development Points). Thirty PDPs and teaching for three years are needed to advance to the Professional license.

Online Teaching Degrees in Tennessee

Austin Peay State University offers the following options through online education: transitional licensure program, special education, math and English as second language endorsements; reading specialist (preK-12) and music education master degree programs; and individual online courses. Online baccalaureate licensure programs in math; English as a second language; and special education are offered at East Tennessee State University.

ETSU also offers several online master degree programs in areas like early childhood education, education, educational media and educational technology, educational leadership and special education; various program concentrations are also offered online. UT at Chattanooga offers an online master degree program in elementary education. Tennessee State University offers online teaching endorsements and online transitional licensure programs.

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School Level Program Admissions

University of West Alabama

All Levels Online Bachelor's, Masters, Doctorate, Education Specialist and Alternative Class A Programs
Choose from more than 40 certification and non-certification education programs that can enhance your career as an educator inside or outside the classroom.
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American University

Master Online Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
CAEP Accredited. Learn how to evaluate, create, and implement effective policy that facilitates exceptional learning experiences for all students.
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University of West Florida

Master Online Master of Education Programs
CAEP Accredited. Programs in Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education. Gives classroom teachers a specialized education for their student age group and career goals.
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Maryville University

Master Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership
Earn your Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Leadership online from Maryville University in as few as 32 months. Prepare to impact higher education on a sweeping scale.
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The University of Texas Permian Basin

Master MA in Special Education
CAEP-accredited, Complete in as little as 12 months, six start dates a year, cost-effective tuition.
Website

Purdue University

Master Online MS in Education
Specialized degrees in Special Education, Curriculum Instruction, Learning Design and Technology.
Website

University of West Florida

Master Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
CAEP Accredited, 3 specializations.
Website

Arizona State University

Bachelor Online Bachelor of Education Programs Website

University of Dayton

Master Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
Top-ranked online education program. Degree can be completed in as few as two years (additional time if pursuing the principal licensure track). No GRE required to apply.
Website
Click to view more online teaching programs currently accepting applicants.

Scholarships/Financial Aid Available

The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation is focused on increasing post-secondary credentials among Tennesseans. College Pays is a comprehensive TSAC website that outlines all of the Tennessee financial aid programs, including the scholarships like the HOPE Lottery Scholarship. The Tennessee state lottery funds a variety of post-secondary programs for financial aid for resident students. The proceeds are used to finance loan-forgiveness loans, grants, and scholarships. The state financial aid programs make college education accessible to a large number of students in Tennessee.

All state and federal sponsored financial ad begins with the FAFSA. Each college student that pursues government funds programs has to fill it out to determine the level of financial assistance availability. The TNStars College Savings 529 Program is a program designed to make saving for college easy. It offers a low-cost way for parents and other relatives to save for college expenses with particular tax advantages and investment options.

Requirements to Qualify for In-State Tuition

Those seeking in-state tuition cannot be full-time students during a one-year domicile period. Part-time attendance is allowed but having a full-time job is well-advised. Some financial help is acceptable but not from parents. 'Financial support' varies from university to university.

Every person, not domiciles in Tennessee, is considered out-of-state for tuition purposes. If one parent lives in Tennessee, regardless of custody status, un-emancipated students are classified as in-state. Those students who live in Tennessee for a year immediately before to admission are classified as in-state if they graduated from a public or private secondary school in Tennessee or earned a GED in the state.

Tennessee is an Academic Common Market member with a limited agreement to reciprocate among the select Southern States. Favorable college tuition rates are sometimes possible in nearby states, but there are restrictions. The factor carrying the most weight is that the degree to be obtained cannot be offered in the applicant's home state. Each school has application requirements of its own. The non-resident student maintains residency in the home state to reap the benefits.

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School Level Program Admissions

University of West Alabama

All Levels Online Bachelor's, Masters, Doctorate, Education Specialist and Alternative Class A Programs
Choose from more than 40 certification and non-certification education programs that can enhance your career as an educator inside or outside the classroom.
Website

American University

Master Online Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership
CAEP Accredited. Learn how to evaluate, create, and implement effective policy that facilitates exceptional learning experiences for all students.
Website

University of West Florida

Master Online Master of Education Programs
CAEP Accredited. Programs in Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education. Gives classroom teachers a specialized education for their student age group and career goals.
Website

Maryville University

Master Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership
Earn your Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Leadership online from Maryville University in as few as 32 months. Prepare to impact higher education on a sweeping scale.
Website

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Master MA in Special Education
CAEP-accredited, Complete in as little as 12 months, six start dates a year, cost-effective tuition.
Website

Purdue University

Master Online MS in Education
Specialized degrees in Special Education, Curriculum Instruction, Learning Design and Technology.
Website

University of West Florida

Master Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction
CAEP Accredited, 3 specializations.
Website

Arizona State University

Bachelor Online Bachelor of Education Programs Website

University of Dayton

Master Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
Top-ranked online education program. Degree can be completed in as few as two years (additional time if pursuing the principal licensure track). No GRE required to apply.
Website
CAEP Accredited Teaching Programs

List of the Best CAEP Accredited Teaching Degrees in Tennessee

East Tennessee State University
Johnson City
CAEP
  • Bachelors in Early Childhood Education NAEYC
  • Masters in Early Childhood Education NAEYC
  • Masters in Reading ILA
  • Bachelors in Special Education CEC
  • Post Bachelors in Special Education CEC
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro
CAEP
  • Specialist or C.A.S. in School Psychology NASP
The University of Memphis
Memphis
CAEP
  • Bachelors in Early Childhood BSED NAEYC
  • Masters in Elementary Education MAT ACEI
  • Masters in Reading Education MS ILA
  • Specialist or C.A.S. in School Psychology NASP
  • Masters in Special Education MAT CEC
  • Bachelors in Teaching All Learners ACEI
  • Bachelors in Teaching All Learners CEC
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville
CAEP
  • Masters in Library ALA
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Chattanooga
CAEP
  • Endorsement only in Certificate in School Leadership: PL ELCC
  • Specialist or C.A.S. in Ed.S. School Psychology NASP
  • Masters in M.Ed. School Leadership: Principal Licensure (PL) Concentration ELCC
Vanderbilt University
Nashville
CAEP
  • Masters in Special Education – Comprehensive Masters CEC
  • Bachelors in Special Education – Comprehensive undergraduate CEC
  • Masters in Special Education – Modified Masters CEC
  • Bachelors in Special Education – Modified undergraduate CEC

TN Teacher Certification & Specializations

Austin Peay State University has an education specialist certification program with concentrations in administration and supervision, elementary education and secondary education. There are also seven licensure programs and more than a dozen secondary licensure programs offered at APSU. East Tennessee State University offers certification programs in teacher education at multiple levels and early childhood education.

Tennessee State University offers certification programs in art education, agri-science, French, geography, mathematics, speech and history, among others. Tennessee State University also offers endorsements in special education, math, and English as a second language.

Bachelor’s in Education Degrees in Tennessee

Austin Peay State University offers bachelor degree programs in various areas, including early childhood (preK-3); elementary grades (K-6); middle grades (4-8); special education (K-12); art (K-12); music (K-12); and health & human performance (K-12). APSU also has 4-year secondary licensure programs to teach grades 7-12 in areas like biology, English, Spanish, German, chemistry, and French to name just a few.

Undergraduate programs in elementary education, secondary education, special education and early childhood education are all offered at Vanderbilt Peabody College, Tennessee State University and University of Tennessee – Chattanooga. These 4-year programs prepare students for initial licensure. VPC also offers majors in human and organizational development and cognitive studies while programs in physical education or agriculture can be found at TSU.

Master’s in Education Degrees in Tennessee

The Master of Arts in Education program at Austin Peay State University offers a concentration in special education and specializations in instructional technology, advanced studies, reading, mathematics, and educational leadership. APSU also has a M.A.T. program that includes concentrations in PreK-3 education, elementary education, middle grades education, secondary education and special education. This program is for bachelor degree holders who do not have a teaching license.

Tennessee State University offers master degree programs in curriculum & instruction; elementary education; and special education. The C&I program offers concentrations in curriculum planning; secondary school instruction; reading specialist; educational technology; and teaching non-English background students. University of Tennessee – Chattanooga also offers master degree programs in counseling, elementary education, reading specialist, school leadership, secondary education and special education.

Vanderbilt Peabody University has unique options for graduate programs including a fifth year master’s program and an early start program. Both of these options allow students to get a jump start on their master degrees and earn them in one year. VPU also has a dual-degree M.D./M.Ed. program that allows the student to earn both degrees in five years.