Department Information
Department of Educational Foundations & Special Education
PO Box 70547
Phone: (423) 439-7687
Web Address: www.etsu.edu/coe/efse/
Luann Ley Davis, Ph.D.
423 Warf-Pickel Hall
East Tennessee State University
Phone: (423) 439-9627
John Wheeler, Ph.D., Interim Department Chair
423 Warf-Pickel Hall
PO Box 70547
Phone: (423) 439-4196
wheelerjj@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 of Education and Human Development Office of Student Services or a faculty advisor in the department of the major.