Clemmer College

P.O. Box 70685
Phone: (423) 439-7626
Web address: http://www.etsu.edu/coe/

Accredited by: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); Tennessee Department of Education (TDE), Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Ed. Programs (CACREP), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and National Association of Sport Physical Education (NASPE).

The Clemmer College includes the departments of Counseling and Human Services; Curriculum and Instruction; Early Childhood Education; Educational Foundations and Special Education; Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, and Sport, Exercise, Recreation, and Kinesiology. For a listing of majors, degrees, and concentrations, see the Degrees and Graduation Requirements section and subsection Majors, Degrees, and Concentrations.

The Clemmer College also includes the Quillen Chair of Excellence in Education as well as four centers: the Center for Community College Leadership, the Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Learning and Development, the Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education, and the Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education.

Non-teaching Programs

In addition to those majors and concentrations leading to teacher licensure, Clemmer College offers additional majors and concentrations that do not have a teaching focus. Undergraduate degrees are awarded in programs related to Early Care and Education (Department of Early Childhood Education); Human Services (Department of Counseling and Human Services); and Kinesiology (concentration in Exercise Science), Sport and Leisure Management (concentrations in Sport Management or Park and Recreation Management) (Department of Sport, Exercise, Recreation, and Kinesiology). Advisement for these degrees is provided by the Clemmer College Office of Student Services and by faculty in the respective departments.

Add-on Endorsements

In addition to the above programs for initial licensure, the Clemmer College offers “add-on” endorsements in many of the areas listed above. In order to be eligible for an “add-on” endorsement an appropriate initial teaching license must be verified. Consult the certification analyst via the Office of Student Services and/or https://www.etsu.edu/coe/teachered/licensure_addon.php for information about specific programs.

Graduate Programs

Clemmer College also offers extensive graduate work, including school licensing programs in counseling, reading, library media, and administration in addition to those already listed. Consult the Graduate Catalog or contact the Clemmer College Office of Student Services for more details.

Teacher Education at ETSU

The Clemmer College is the unit at ETSU responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing all teacher education programs leading to initial or advanced licensure preparation of public school teachers or school service personnel; providing professional services as requested by schools in the service area of the university; providing or assisting in the provision of appropriate in-service and professional development activities as requested; and planning and conducting research and development studies growing out of needs identified in academic programs or in the public schools. The university is approved to offer courses appropriate for initial teacher licensure, renewal of teaching licenses, and planned added endorsements. Policies of the Tennessee State Board of Education and of East Tennessee State University must be followed in completing programs leading to the university’s recommendation for teacher licensure.

The teacher education programs are guided by a teacher education conceptual framework that ensures teacher education graduates possess the personal and professional qualities that enable them to take leadership roles and work constructively within schools and agencies to create learning communities that foster the growth and development of all learners. The ten dimensions of the teacher education conceptual framework are: reflective practice, social responsibility, collaboration, caring, diversity, life-long learning, general knowledge, content knowledge, professional knowledge, and leadership.

Title II Report Information

As required by Title II of the federal Higher Education Act, East Tennessee State University reports the results of candidate performance on state licensing examinations. This information is reported to the state in an Institutional Report that is submitted annually.

The Title II report can be accessed at https://www.etsu.edu/coe/aboutcoe/report.php

Teacher Education in Clemmer College

Students wishing to pursue a course of study leading to teacher licensure in early childhood education, elementary education, physical education, special education or secondary education may declare the major/minor at any time. When declared, the student is admitted into the teacher licensure program after they have met the 2.75 Major GPA and background check requirement. The teacher candidate then proceeds through the established program of study meeting the detailed progression requirements (noted below) in order to proceed. Failure to meet the established progression requirements will prevent a student from moving forward toward completing the degree/licensure. Students will be advised throughout their programs of study by an advisor in the Clemmer College Office of Student Services or a faculty advisor in collaboration with the department of the major/minor.

Graduation Requirements

Undergraduate students in teacher licensure programs must maintain a minimum Major GPA of 2.75 to graduate.

Secondary Education Minor

Students who want to teach a subject usually taught in secondary schools declare and pursue a major in that subject area (i.e., English, biology, history, etc.) and can satisfy the licensure requirements through the secondary education minor. When declared, the student is admitted into the teacher licensure program after meeting the 2.75 Major GPA and background check requirement. The teacher candidate then proceeds through the established program of study meeting the detailed progression requirements (noted below) in order to proceed. Advising for students in the secondary education minor is provided by both the content major advisor and by the Clemmer College Office of Student Service’s advisor/the assigned faculty advisor of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. All students should check with both of their advisors frequently to make sure they are completing the appropriate requirements for their chosen program of study.

Transfer Students

Students entering a Clemmer College program who plan to transfer credit(s) from another institution should schedule an appointment with an advisor early in the ETSU admissions process. Advisors may be available at local community college campuses to discuss course equivalencies and details regarding course selection and integration into the teacher education progression. Some programs offer transfer pathways that can streamline this process. Official evaluation of transfer credit is completed by the ETSU Office of Admissions. All transfer students must complete an ETSU approved background check, including a fingerprint, as they enter the teacher licensure program in the Clemmer College.

Teacher Education Progression Requirements

When a teacher licensure major (or secondary education minor) is declared and the 2.75 Major GPA and background check requirements have been met, students are formally admitted into the teacher licensure program and will be notified about the progression requirements required to proceed. As a student moves through the established program of study, the specific requirements must be met in order to progress through a Clemmer College teacher licensure program and be eligible for Residency.

Admission to teacher licensure program requirements:

Major GPA of 2.75 or higher
Passage of a security background check by TBI and submission of the TBI waiver and ETSU Authorization for Background Check form to the Office of Educator Preparation-Field Experiences and Residency.
Progression requirements include:
Grade of B- or higher in EDFN 2400 (or equivalent course)
Grade of C (2.0) or higher in major, concentration, and Secondary Education Teacher Preparation minor (if applicable) courses.
Passing grade in CSCI 1100 (or satisfactory completion on the proficiency test)
Submitted test scores meeting one of the following required scores:

ACT: 22
(21 composite will be considered)

SAT: Reading and Math combined score of 1080

PRAXIS CORE: Reading 168, Math 162, Writing 165
(PRAXIS CORE Reading 156, Math 150, Writing 162 will be considered)

The advisors within Clemmer College’s Office of Student Services and the faculty advisors in each department will work with all students to structure their coursework in order to support a smooth progression through these established criteria.

Due to the nature of teacher licensure regulations, the university reserves the right to change the requirements in teacher education programs at any time when necessary to meet current state licensure or accreditation standards.

Requirements for Admission to Residency:

To be eligible for Residency, teacher candidates must meet the following criteria:

Completion of the online Residency Application by the published deadline.
Completion of all coursework required for licensure/degree with a minimum Major GPA of 2.75.
Passage of a security background check by TBI and submission of the TBI waiver and ETSU Authorization for Background Check form, and Noncriminal Justice Applicant’s Privacy Rights form to the Office of Educator Preparation-Field Experiences & Residency.
Meet or exceed the state-mandated test scores on required Praxis: Specialty area tests, specific to the licensure area prior to beginning Residency II.

A student who has attempted to satisfy the Praxis requirements and has not yet met the required scores can submit a Residency II Praxis Waiver Request. Students intending to submit this form must consult their faculty advisor regarding eligibility.

Note: The mandated tests and minimum scores are subject to change according to Tennessee State Board of Education policy.

All requirements for progression through the teacher licensure program must have been completed before enrolling in Residency II. Prior to registering for Residency II, students must declare the content areas in which they seek recommendation for licensure. The guidance of the Clemmer College faculty advisor is crucial to ensure a positive residency experience. ETSU will not recommend initial endorsement for areas that have not been declared prior to application for student teaching/residency.

Applications for the Residency II program are submitted electronically to the Director of Field Experiences and Residency by the published deadlines. Applications will be processed according to the filing date. Students who delay in completing requirements or who delay in applying for Residency II will be considered for placement on a space-available basis only.

Applicants have the opportunity to indicate preference for placement in the locations with which Clemmer College has an established memorandum of understanding in the semester concerned; however, the university reserves the right to exercise its best judgment in final determination of student placement based on student performance, teaching situations available, the number of applicants for a specific instructional area, and personal hardships.

Questions regarding these policies may be referred to the Director of Field Experiences and Residency.

Licensure

The initial Tennessee teacher’s license will be issued only to those applicants who have completed an approved teacher education program and met all testing requirements as determined by the state of Tennessee Department of Education. All those seeking a job embedded licensure should contact an advisor in the Clemmer College’s Office of Student Services in order to clarify the program of study and licensure requirements.

If the initial license is not obtained following completion of the approved program, requirements in effect at the time of application must be satisfied before licensure is recommended. In all cases, current state licensure requirements, including mandated licensure exams, must be met regardless of when the student enters the program.

All applicants for a teaching license in Tennessee must submit satisfactory scores on the specified Praxis test(s) and the edTPA. Applicants should ensure that a copy of their test scores is sent from the testing company to:

East Tennessee State University
Recipient Code #1198

AND

Tennessee Department of Education
Recipient Codes #8190

Current information regarding the communication of scores and score requirement is available at: https://www.ets.org/praxis/tn

Following completion of Residency II, ETSU teacher licensure students will receive specific instructions about proceeding with the application for Tennessee licensure. All ETSU teacher licensure students must submit the required documentation to the Clemmer College certification analyst who is the primary point of contact regarding application forms and instructions. The certification analyst can be contacted through the Clemmer College Office of Student Services.

For information about managing and maintaining your license, go to Educator.Licensure@tn.gov.

Below is a list of the teacher education areas in which ETSU has undergraduate teacher licensure programs available:

Biology 6-12
Chemistry 6-12
Early Childhood Education PreK-3
Earth Science 6-12
Economics 6-12
Elementary Education K-5
English 6-12
French 6-12
Geography 6-12
German 6-12
Government 6-12
History 6-12
Instrumental General Music K-12
Mathematics 6-12
Physical Education K-12
Physics 6-12
Psychology 9-12
School Social Worker PreK-12
Sociology 9-12
Spanish 6-12
Special Ed. Comprehensive K-12
Special Ed. Interventionist K-8/6-12 (dual license)
Special Ed. Preschool/ECE PreK-3
Speech Communication 6-12
Theatre K-12
Visual Arts K-12
Vocal General Music K-12