Additional Information
To be eligible for Pre-Residency, teacher candidates must meet the following criteria and progression requirements:
- Completion of the online Residency Application by the published deadline.
Requirements for Entry into Residency II:
To be eligible for Residency II, teacher candidates must meet the following criteria and progression requirements:
- Completion of all coursework required for licensure/degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75.
- Passage of a security background check remains on file in the Office of Educator Preparation.
- Obtain professional liability insurance.
- Meet or exceed the state-mandated test scores on Praxis exams if required: Specialty Area Content Assessments or National Evaluation Series (NES) exam, specific to the licensure area prior to beginning Residency II.
A student who has attempted to satisfy the Praxis/NES Specialty Area Assessment 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 mentor 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. All incompletes, unsuccessful attempts at a course, and other gaps in the program of study must be fulfilled prior to entering 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 of Education and Human Development faculty mentor 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. Per state policy (5.504) teacher candidates may be approved to take one course during Residency II in exceptional cases. Exceptional cases are approved to candidates that have a successful record within their program of study and have demonstrated in their Educator Disposition Assessment that they can manage the load of Residency II and an additional course. Candidates submit a request for approval to the Associate Dean of Academics & Educator Preparation.
Applications for the Residency II program are submitted electronically to the Office of Educator Preparation 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 of Education and Human Development 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 Associate Dean of Academics & Educator Preparation.
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 licensure should contact the staff in the Clemmer College of Education and Human Development’s Office of Educator Preparation 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/NES test(s). 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 of Education and Human Development certification coordinator who is the primary point of contact regarding application forms and instructions. The certification coordinator can be contacted through the ETSU’s Office of Educator Preparation.
For information about managing and maintaining your license, go to Educator.Licensure@tn.gov.