College of Health, Education and Professional Studies
Additional Courses of Study
In addition to programs leading to initial teacher licensure or endorsement, the college provides courses of study in Human Ecology (child and family studies, interior design, and food and nutrition), Exercise Science, Health, and Leisure Studies (fitness/wellness, leisure studies and sports administration), Physical Therapy, and Nursing.
Graduate — The School of Educational Leadership, through the Graduate Studies Division, offers NCATE accredited and Tennessee approved programs which lead to the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree and the Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a concentration in Athletic Training. The Educational Specialist in Instructional Technology or School Psychology is also offered. For further information, refer to the UTC Graduate Bulletin, the Graduate School Office, 103 Race Hall, or the Graduate Studies Division within the college.
Professional Development School I (PDS I)
The Professional Development School I (PDS I) is an intensive, semester-long field experience. Participants spend all day, every day, in a cohort assigned to a local school. In this exploratory experience, the University students work with the faculty and students at all levels of grades K-12, both in the classroom and in non-classroom settings. University faculty provide on-site instruction through an integrated presentation.
PDS I participants complete PDS Lab and Seminar (Education 499) in addition to a predetermined core of courses specific to each discipline. Listed below are the courses required for PDS I within the appropriate discipline.
- Early Child Education: PreK-4: Education 306, 323, 400,
- Human Ecology 241 and 445
- Foreign Language Education: Education 321, 400, 418, 433, Human Ecology 242
- Middle Grades Education: Education 306, 321, 400, 418,
- Human Ecology 242 and 445
- Secondary Education (English, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences) Education 321, 400, 418, 433, Human Ecology 242
- Exceptional Learning: K-12: Education 317, 323, 336, 400, Human Ecology 241 or 242, and 445
Students pursuing teacher licensure through UTC’s teacher preparation program must meet requirements in four sequential checkpoints. Effective for students enrolled in Education 201 in fall of 2004 or subsequent semesters, the checkpoints control admission to PDS I, admission to the Teacher Education Program, admission to student teaching and recommendation for licensure.
Included in the checkpoint requirements are successful completion of specified coursework, achievement of appropriate grade point averages, and appropriate test scores on the ACT, SAT or Praxis I as well as on the state-mandated Praxis II tests for the licensure area. In addition, specified paperwork must be submitted in each checkpoint. Success in meeting checkpoint requirements leads to success in completing the teacher preparation program.
Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP)*
Applicants who demonstrate qualifications and characteristics reasonably expected for entry into the teaching profession will be considered for admission to the teacher education program. Selection of qualified students is usually made on the basis of application during the sophomore year, with the exception of transfer students who are required to complete a semester of residence at UTC before their admission can be finalized. Applications should be filed no later than the first semester of the junior year. A student who has not been officially admitted to the TEP will not be permitted to register for certain 400-level professional education courses. Prior to formal application to the TEP, freshman, sophomore, and particularly transfer students must consult with an advisor in the College of Education and Applied Professional Studies to plan their programs. This advisory procedure also applies to students (including post-baccalaureate and graduate) seeking initial teacher licensure or endorsement.
All students (undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate) must satisfy official TEP admission standards set by UTC, the Tennessee Department of Education, and the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies. A student who has earned a degree or credit hours at another institution may be required to enroll in additional courses, including the student teaching experience or practicum, to verify competency in those teaching fields for which initial teacher licensure or endorsement is being requested through a UTC recommendation.
To be considered for admission to the TEP*, an undergraduate or post-baccalaureate student must:
- File a formal application signed by a College of Health, Education and Professional Studies faculty advisor.
- Earn a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average, a 2.5 average on all courses taken at UTC, a 2.5 in education courses with no grade lower than C, and a 2.5 in content area courses with no grade lower than C.
- Complete the Praxis I tests or an approved equivalent and earn at least the minimum score on each section as mandated by the Tennessee Board of Education for the particular year in which the battery is taken.
- Submit all other appropriate information (essay and resume) prior to scheduling the TEP interview.
- Complete an interview and receive a positive recommendation from the TEP interview committee.
- Show evidence of reasonable physical fitness, emotional maturity, high moral character, and commitment to professional education. Violations of the honor code or student behavior policies as stated in the current UTC Student Handbook may be reviewed by the TEP Committee and may impact the final decision regarding admission to the TEP and/or approval for student teaching experiences.
- Students pursuing any degree in education which leads to licensure must meet all required elements at each level of the Checkpoints in order to be able to move forward to additional courses. These provisions include not only those established by the UTC Teacher Preparation Academy, but also those mandated by the school systems in which students complete field placements. Education students must successfully meet the requirements for an initial Background Screening at Checkpoint 1 and must also pass an FBI/TBI Fingerprinting Procedure prior to admission to the student teaching experience. Failure to meet these or any other parts of any Checkpoint will prevent an individual from advancing to the next level.
*Final responsibility for ensuring that these requirements are met prior to being admitted to the Teacher Education Program rests with the student.
