Program Overview

Teacher Education and Clinical Practice

The Teacher Education and Clinical Practice program is designed to prepare students for a career in teaching. The program offers two tracks: Art Education (K-12) and Special Education (K-12), both leading to a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree.

Art Education (K-12) Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

The Art Education (K-12) MAT program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach art in grades K-12.

Special Education K-12 (MAT)

The Special Education K-12 master's program leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree and a Tennessee License to teach grades K-12. To be admitted to the program, candidates must apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) before the end of the second semester and fulfill all TEP requirements. Candidates must have a 3.0 graduate GPA to be admitted to TEP and maintain a 3.0 GPA while in the graduate program.

Program Requirements

• MAT candidates must pass Praxis II exams to be licensed to teach in Tennessee.
• For the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), all candidates obtaining a MAT and TN Teaching License must complete The Professional Seminar (ICL 7993).
• Each candidate must also complete and pass a nationally scored teacher performance assessment.
• Job-embedded teacher candidates are not required to submit the edTPA.

Degree Timeline

The program is divided into three levels of coursework:

Level 1 Coursework

• Suggested Course Sequence for Fall I Semester (9 Hours):
  • SPED 7000 - Introduction to Exceptional Learner
  • ICL 7105 (Interventionist License) - or - SPED 7050 (Comprehensive License only)
  • LITL 7553 - Literacy Development K4 - Interventionist Requirement
• Suggested Course Sequence for Spring I Semester (6 Hours):
  • SPED 7001 - Tests and Measurements for Exceptional Child/Adult
  • LITL 7553 - Literacy Development K4 - Interventionist Requirement

Level 2 Coursework

• Suggested Course Sequence for Summer I Semester (6 Hours):
  • EDPR 7111 - Child Psychology Applied to Education - or - SPED 7015 - Teaching Students with Exceptionalities Across Differences and Abilities
  • SPED 7212 - Content Methods in Special Education
• Suggested Course Sequence for Fall II Semester (6 Hours):
  • LITL 7554 - Literacy Development
  • SPED 7221 - Behavior Management in Special Education
• Suggested Course Sequence for Spring II Semester (9 Hours):
  • IDT 7061 - Instructional Design and Educational Technology
  • ICL 7106 - Professional and Ethical Practice in Inclusive Classrooms
  • EDPR 7521 - Introduction to Educational Research

Level 3 Coursework

• Suggested Course Timeline for Fall III Semester - Clinical Teaching Candidates (9 Hours):
  • ICL 7808 - The Clinical Teaching Semester
  • ICL 7993 - Professional Seminar (REQUIRED)
• Suggested Course Timeline for Fall III Semester - Job Embedded Candidates (3 Hours):
  • ICL 7992 - Master's Project

Additional Requirements

• An application is required one (1) semester prior to The Clinical Teaching Semester - ICL 7808.
• All clinical teaching candidates must take the Professional Seminar to obtain licensure - ICL 7993.
• No other courses may be taken with the clinical teaching semester and/or the ICL 7993 Professional Seminar or 7992 Master's Project classes.
• Candidates who have an active Job Embedded Practitioner License will be exempt from submitting the edTPA.