About STEM Education

Admission

Students typically apply for formal admission to the STEM Education Program after successfully completing the first pedagogy course (STEM 1030). Students must have completed all admission requirements prior to the first day of class in Knowing and Learning (STEM 2010). Once a student has been admitted, STEM Education advisers and faculty will review candidates’ progress through the program via the checkpoints and offer guidance in terms of needed courses.

Requirements for Admission to STEM Education

For candidates beginning the program:

• Evidence of successful clearance of fingerprinting/background check for public schools.
• Pass timed (one hour) entrance essay exam. (Note, the Essay must be completed at least one day prior to the scheduled interview. To sign up for times, please email Dr. Jennifer Ellis
• Successful completion of STEM 1030 Combo course with a grade of at least C.
• Enrollment in Knowing and Learning (STEM 2010).
• 2.75 GPA (UTC and cumulative).
• ACT composite test score of 21 or above on the Enhanced ACT or a combined verbal and mathematics score of 1020 or above on the Re-centered SAT. 
  • Residual ACT test

                OR 

• • If you do not meet the ACT requirement above, you must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators.
• IMPORTANT: Having scores reported to UTC does not report scores to STEM Education.
• Adequate progress toward a mathematics or science primary major as evaluated by an STEM Education advisor.
• Completion and submission of the STEM Education Application Form.

Admission to STEM Education for Post-baccalaureate students 

Students wishing to pursue a post-baccalaureate certificate and secondary teacher licensure in mathematics or science through the STEM Education program must:

1. Have an undergraduate or graduate degree with a major, or equivalent, in one of the following content areas: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or Computer Science.
2. Be formally admitted to UTC.
3. Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 overall and in the major courses. All undergraduate and graduate coursework is considered when determining the GPA's.
4. Have an ACT composite score of 21 or better or a score of 1020 or better on the SAT. If the undergraduate applicant's ACT or SAT score is below 21 or 1020 respectively, the applicant must take the Praxis 1 exam. Post-baccalaureate students who are enrolled with the Graduate School MUST take the MAT (minimum score of 372) or the GRE (minimum 900/4.0 [writing]) instead.
5. Contact the graduate advisor/recruiter in the School of Education.