General Program Information
Graduate School Contact:
Fiona Goodyear; goodyear@etsu.edu; 423-439-6148
Aimee Govett, Ed.D., Program Co-Coordinator
509B Warf-Pickel Hall
Box 70684
(423) 439-7588 or (423) 439-7678
Fax: (423) 439-8362
e-mail: govett@etsu.edu
Faculty:
Huili Hong; H. Lee Daniels; Edward Dwyer; Aimee Govett; Rhona Hurwitz; Karin Keith; Lori Meier, Ryan Nivens.
The Master of Arts in teacher education with multiple levels is designed for students who wish to apply for initial teacher licensure and have obtained a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education. The M.A.T. degree program is designed to meet teacher licensure requirements at the graduate level in Tennessee. Students have the option of entering the elementary M.A.T. program which covers K-6 licensure, the middle school M.A.T. program which covers 4-8 licensure, or the secondary M.A.T. program which covers 7-12 licensure in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, English, German, Spanish, French, economics, geography, history, government, speech communication, and mathematics. Licensure for K-12 is also available in art, theatre, physical education, and music (vocal and instrumental).
Program Admission Requirements
Admission to the TEML program is a two-step process: students must be admitted to the TEML graduate program, and they must be admitted to the College of Education’s Teacher Education Program. The first step is to seek admission to the graduate program. The applicant should submit official transcripts and three letters of reference.
The final decision for admittance to the TEML program is based on the evaluation of the completed application package and a personal interview. The decision on admission to the M.A.T. program occurs at this interview.
To be admitted to the TEML program, a student must:
- Three letters of recommendation.
- An overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Qualify for admission to teacher education as established by the state of Tennessee:
Have minimum scores on one of the following:
1) 22 composite on the ACT (21 before 1989),
2) 1020 on the SAT (920 BEFORE April 1, 1995), or
3) Passing PRAXIS I scores.
- An interview - Teacher Admission Board.
- Passing criminal background check.
- Passing score on PRAXIS II content exam (in the appropriate licensure area).
Formal admission to Teacher Education occurs prior to admission to the TEML program for the MAT degree.
Upon admission to the TEML program, transcripts will be analyzed to determine which content courses completed as a part of the undergraduate program will apply toward licensure, and which courses may need to be taken during the TEML program. If candidates do not have a suitable undergraduate major in a licensure area, it is possible that additional undergraduate coursework will need to be taken in order to meet the licensure requirements set by the state.
Since this is an initial licensure program, no previous undergraduate education coursework shall be credited toward this degree. Any student wishing to transfer in applicable graduate credit must follow graduate school regulations. However, no credit will be granted for graduate coursework taken more than five years ago.
All applicants must take and pass all required licensure tests before student teaching.
Additional Information
The initial Tennessee teacher’s license will be issued only to those applicants who have completed a teacher preparation program in a Tennessee higher education institution approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education for the preparation of teachers in the area of licensure sought. In select instances, upon successful petition to the Program Coordinator and the Deans of the College of Education and the School of Graduate Studies, the student who has completed all other program requirements may be able to modify the professional semester requirements in order to complete the degree. Candidates for these substitutions must have their admission to ETSU’s Transitional Licensure Program verified by the Transitional Licensure Coordinator before commencing the petition process. It is understood that the MAT candidate who is permitted to modify the professional semester requirements will not seek licensure through East Tennessee State University based upon completion of this degree and that licensure issues will be resolved through the district in which the student is employed.
If the initial license is not obtained following completion of the approved program, requirements in effect at the time of application must be satisfied. In all cases, current state licensure requirements must be met regardless of when the student enters the program.
A person who holds a Tennessee Teachers Professional License may add teaching area endorsements by completing teacher education programs after the original license has been issued. Such programs include the addition of a secondary endorsement to an elementary license or the addition of an elementary endorsement to a secondary license. A person who holds a Tennessee Teaching License and wishes to add an endorsement in another teaching area should contact the certification analyst, room 321, Warf-Pickel Hall.
All applicants for a teaching license in Tennessee must submit satisfactory scores on the PRAXIS II. Applicants should request that a copy of their test scores be sent to:
East Tennessee State University
Recipient Code #1198
Request current information about Tennessee test requirements at the Office of Education Student Services, Room 321, Warf-Pickel Hall.
*IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ETSU STUDENTS SEEKING SCHOOL LICENSURE: Tennessee Teaching or other School Licensure/Endorsement requires an application made directly to the Certification Officer, Angela Murray, in the Clemmer College of Education. Application should not be made until all relevant coursework, degrees, and qualifying test scores are completed. A complete set of transcripts from all colleges or universities attended will be required for the application. Students must have their test results reported to East Tennessee State University, Recipient Code 1198, by the testing company. Every effort will be made to send students up to date application forms and instruction near the end of their final semester. However, if you do not receive this information by the end of your program, you will need to contact: Ms. Murray, phone: 423-439-7562, email: murrayp@etsu.edu, office: room 323C Warf-Pickel Hall.