The specific objectives of the College of Education are to coordinate the teacher education programs of the University; to prepare teachers and school leaders for the education profession; to provide professional development opportunities and programs for educators who are already in service; and to actively partner with school districts to improve student achievement at all levels.

Laboratory Schools

The Homer Pittard Campus School is a public school, comprising grades K through 5, which is staffed and operated by Rutherford County Schools. The Campus School is a laboratory unit that serves the professional education programs in teacher education. University students are provided varied, field-based practicum opportunities which merge theory and practice through the study of children and the school program through observations and participation in teaching activities.

The Ann Campbell Early Learning Center (formerly Project Help) is an inclusive early childhood education program that offers full-day early care and education to children ages 12 months to kindergarten and provides play-based learning experiences in a natural engaging environment throughout the year for children with and without developmental delays. The program offers field-based opportunities for observation and hands-on classroom experience for approximately 300 pre-service undergraduate and graduate education majors each year. Students learn how to support the development of all young children by assessing what they already know across the developmental domains and developing a plan to assist growth into their full potential. The Tennessee Department of Education and the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities monitor the program for compliance with their child care rules and regulations.

The Child Development Center (CDC) provides part-time care and play-based early learning experiences during the academic year for children ages one year to five years. The center also serves as a teaching laboratory for students enrolled in child development, early childhood education, and other related University programs. Approximately 35 students enroll in the practicum course each semester in their junior year and support the classroom lead teacher through hands-on experiences as the assistant to all classroom activities. The Tennessee Department of Human Services licenses this program. The program holds one of the highest standards for quality through its accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Accreditation

Teacher preparation programs for undergraduate and graduate programs for teachers and related school personnel are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The College of Education holds membership in the Tennessee Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. The Professional Counseling Program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Admission to Teacher Education

Students who wish to prepare themselves for careers as teachers must make formal application for admission to the teacher education program. Applications must be submitted no later than the second semester of the sophomore year. Students who transfer to Middle Tennessee State University after the completion of their sophomore years, or with more than 45 semester hours of credit, must make application during their first semester of residence at MTSU. Admission to teacher education is a prerequisite to enrollment in the following upper-division education courses: Elementary Education (ELED), Early Childhood Education (ECE), Reading (READ), Special Education (SPED) (with the exception of SPED 3010 ) or Youth Education (YOED).

To be formally admitted to the teacher education program, candidates must

1. complete the admission application;
2. have acceptable scores on the ACT, SAT, or the Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests as set by the Tennessee State Board of Education;
3. complete at least 45 semester hours with at least 6 semester hours at MTSU;
4. have an overall grade point average of 2.75; (Grades earned in basic, learning support, and university studies courses are not used in computation of the required average.)
5. have three favorable professional interviews;
6. have disciplinary clearance from MTSU Office of Judicial Affairs and Mediation Services;
7. complete a background/fingerprinting check.

Application forms for Admission to Teacher Education are located at www.mtsu.edu/education/admission.php.

Post-baccalaureate Teacher Program

The post-baccalaureate teacher education program is designed for individuals who have completed baccalaureate degrees but who did not complete teacher preparation programs leading to a teaching license. The College of Education requires candidates to address any course and program deficiencies in their undergraduate education to ensure the attainment of the knowledge and skills required in general education, professional education, and the major for the teaching field. Additional coursework and program requirements will be determined by the appropriate academic department faculty. Transcript analysis forms for the post-baccalaureate program are available at www.mtsu.edu/education/licensure.php.

Post-baccalaureate students must also make formal application for admission to the teacher education program. Admission to teacher education is a prerequisite to enrollment in the following upper-division education courses: Elementary Education (ELED), Early Childhood Education (ECE), Reading (READ), Special Education (SPED) (with the exception of SPED 3010 ), School Personnel Services (SPSE), or Youth Education (YOED).

Residency Year

Residency Year is the culminating experience of the professional education program in which teacher candidates undertake two consecutive semesters of an increasing amount of time in school settings, Residency I followed by Residency II. During Residency I, teacher candidates will be in schools for approximately two full days per week while taking additional coursework/seminars on the other days. Residency II is a full-time, entire semester experience. Candidates will be in school settings all day, five days a week.

Admission to Residency I and II is based upon successful completion of a formal application by the candidate and requirements established by individual programs. Applications must be submitted at the beginning of the semester prior to beginning Residency I and II. Candidates should confirm deadlines with the Office of Professional Laboratory Experiences. To enroll in Residency Year, candidate must

1. complete the admission application;
2. have completed formal admission to the teacher education program at the time the application is filed;
3. have an overall grade point average of 2.75 and a 2.50 grade point average in the teaching major (grades earned in learning support or university studies courses are not used in computation of the required average). Computation of the grade point average in the teaching major will include all coursework taken in the departments contributing to the major; this includes all coursework, if any, taken beyond required and elective courses in the teaching major);
4. complete all education courses and appropriate methods courses with the minimum grade established by the candidate’s program;
5. be classified as a senior, graduate student, or post-baccalaureate student;
6. be favorably evaluated in the required field and clinical experiences (course grades alone may not be used to meet this requirement);
7. submit a negative tuberculin test.

Licensure of Teachers

Completion of an approved program and recommendation by the University are required for a Tennessee Practitioner License. Information on the licensure application will be provided for teacher candidates during Residency II. Information is also available at www.mtsu.edu/education/licensure.php.

All applicants for a teacher’s license shall furnish teacher licensing analysts with a report of scores attained on the Praxis II Exam (Principles of Learning and Teaching and certain designated Specialty Tests) so that they may be submitted to the Tennessee Department of Education at the time of recommendation for licensure. When students make application to take the Praxis II Exams, they should indicate on the application form that their test scores be sent to MTSU Code R1466 and the Tennessee Department of Education Code R8190.

Information regarding minimum scores and applicable Praxis II Specialty Area Tests is available at www.tn.gov/education/topic/praxis-requirements.

To be recommended for a license, students who have majors in Interdisciplinary Studies, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and/or Secondary Education must have at least a 2.75 overall grade point average and a grade point average of 2.50 in the teaching major. Included in the computation are grades assigned in all courses attempted in departments contributing to the teaching major. This includes all coursework, if any, taken beyond the required elective courses in the teaching major. Grades earned in learning support or university studies courses are not used in computing the average required.

Early Childhood Education: Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3

Requirements for the major in Early Childhood Education must be completed. Consult Department of Elementary and Special Education  for requirements.

Elementary Endorsement, Grades K-5, Middle Level Endorsement, Grades 6-8

Requirements for the major in Interdisciplinary Studies must be completed. Consult the Department of Elementary and Special Education  for requirements.

Secondary Education Endorsement, Comprehensive, Grades K-12, Interventionist Endorsement, K-8, 6-12

Requirements for the major in Special Education must be completed. Consult the Department of Elementary and Special Education  for requirements.

Special Education Endorsement, Grades 6-12

Students seeking a license to teach in secondary schools must complete (1) a major in the subject they intend to teach, (2) a minor in Secondary Education, and (3) additional teacher licensure requirements.

Following is a list of the teacher education programs leading to initial licensure in secondary education. Since licensure programs change from time to time, access the most current list of licensure areas at www.state.tn.us/education/lic/index.shtml.