Department Information
Department of Educational Foundations & Special Education
PO Box 70547
Phone: (423) 439-7687
Web Address: www.etsu.edu/coe/efse/
Sara Beth Hitt, Ph.D., Program Coordinator
423 Warf-Pickel Hall
PO Box 70547
Phone: (423) 439-7838
email: hittsb@etsu.edu
Dawn Rowe, Ph.D., Interim Chair
423 Warf-Pickel Hall
PO Box 70547
Phone: (423) 439-7171
email: roweda@etsu.edu
The Bachelor of Science degree in special education (SPED) leads to initial teaching license in special education.In addition to initial licensure at the baccalaureate level, post-baccalaureate programs are provided for adding a special education endorsement to existing education licenses.
Special education licensure programs in Tennessee are non-categorical covering intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, orthopedic impairments and emotional disturbance. Students planning to teach in those states requiring categorical certification should meet with their advisor(s) to plan their programs according to the certification/licensure requirements of those states.
Teacher Licensure Progression: Students wishing to pursue a course of study leading to a Special Education teacher licensure may declare the major at any time. When declared, the student is admitted into the teacher licensure program after they have met the 2.75 GPA and background check requirement. The teacher candidate then proceeds through the established program of study meeting the detailed progression requirements in order to proceed. Failure to meet the established progression requirements will prevent a student from moving forward toward completing the degree/licensure. Each student will be advised throughout their program of study by either an advisor in the Clemmer College Office of Student Services or a faculty advisor in the department of the major.
Degree Requirements: 120 credits
General Education |
41-42 credits |
Major Total Requirement |
77 credits |
Professional Education Requirement |
(15 credits) |
Major Core |
(42 credits) |
Field-based Experiences |
(20 credits) |
Free Electives |
1-2 credits |
TOTAL |
120 credits |
Suggested Four-Year Program of Study: SPED-BS
General Education Requirements
These requirements include earning 41-42 credits in Communication, Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavior Sciences, History, Natural Sciences and Mathematics categories.
Major Specific courses listed in General Education Requirements:
Additional Information
Click here to view Degree and Graduation Requirements for all ETSU students.
CSCI 1100 or Proficiency exam: Must be completed to meet Bachelor’s Degree Requirements.
Most minors range from 18-24 credits. Those few minors with more than 24 credits may affect the number of free electives allowed.