2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Elementary and Special Education
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Eric Oslund, Chair
Barksdale, Boulware, Cao, Elleman, Ertel, Fields, Griffin, Hooser, Huddleston, Lee, Lim, Mangione, McClain Pence, Ridgley, Schrodt, Winters
Courses in the Department of Elementary and Special Education are designed to meet the professional needs of students preparing to teach and to improve the teaching competencies of those presently employed as teachers.
The department offers Bachelor of Science degrees for students seeking initial teacher licensure in early childhood, elementary, middle school, and special education. Students may choose from the following majors: Early Childhood Education (Pk-3); Elementary Education (K-5); Middle Level (English 6-8), (Math 6-8), (Science 6-8), or (Social Studies 6-8); and Special Education.
The Department of Elementary and Special Education is proud to have received approval from the Tennessee Department of Education to offer a four-year Elementary Education program that leads to three areas of licensure for graduates. The undergraduate Elementary Education program integrates coursework focused on special education and supporting multi-lingual learners to better prepare graduates for the 21st-century classroom. Once all other Tennessee licensure requirements are met, Elementary Education graduates can earn endorsements in Elementary Education K-5, Special Education Interventionist K-8, and English as a Second Language.
Admission to Teacher Education
All students enrolled in initial teacher licensure programs must be admitted to teacher education. The requirements for admission include
- completion of at least 45 semester hours;
- an inclusive grade point average of 2.75 or higher (grades earned in basic and developmental courses are not used in computation of the required average). For graduate and post baccalaureate students, the GPA requirement is 2.75 inclusive from a completed baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree program or a 3.00 GPA in the most recent sixty (60) hours earned at a regionally accredited IHE.
- earning a B- or better in EESE 2010 and EESE 2011 (or approved substitutions);
- undergoing a total three (3) favorable faculty interviews: one with a faculty member in professional education at MTSU, one with a faculty member teaching courses in the major or in general education at MTSU, and one with a classroom teacher/practitioner (PreK-12) in a public school;
- completion of fingerprinting and background check with TBI;
- disciplinary clearance from the College of Education.
Minor
A minor in Special Education is also available. Students should note that the minor coursework does not fulfill teacher licensure requirements.
Graduate Study
The department offers Master of Education degrees with majors in Literacy and Special Education and a Master of Arts in Teaching with a major in Teaching. A graduate minor is available in Curriculum and Instruction.
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