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Undergraduate Students

Initial Licensure

The following procedures for applying to the Teacher Education Program are for current University of Tennessee undergraduate students or undergraduate transfer students interested in becoming a licensed teacher, who have not yet completed a baccalaureate degree. Please note, these programs are not offered online.

Most prospective teachers will begin the application process by scheduling an advising appointment with a licensure advisor in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. UTK offers a variety of teacher licensure program options, some of which are four years and some of which are five years. It is important to plan early and meet with your academic advisor on a regular basis to ensure you are meeting all requirements in a timely manner. You can schedule an advising appointment online or call 865-974-8194. Please review the academic programs to be prepared to discuss your possible area of study with your advisor at this appointment.

If you are interested in applying to teacher education programs outside of CEHHS (Music Education, or Agriculture Education) please make sure you have been in contact with a faculty advisor within that program.

Additionally, our PreK-K and PreK-3 programs have additional application requirements for the Child and Family Studies Department; please make sure you have been in contact with a faculty advisor from that Department before completing your application.

Teacher Licensure Program Options

 

GPA: Per Tennessee State Board of Education policy, GPA should be 2.75 or above to apply for admissions to teacher education. If you are unsure whether your GPA meets the minimum requirement, please contact your advisor or beateacher@utk.edu.  If your GPA is below a 2.75 but you are passionate about becoming a teacher, you are encouraged to apply as exceptions can be made in select cases.

Standardized Tests: Per Tennessee State Board of Education policy, those applying for admission to undergraduate teacher education programs should have an ACT Composite – 21 or SAT Verbal & Math – 1080.  If you do not have proof of minimum ACT or SAT but are passionate about becoming a teacher, you are encouraged to apply as exceptions can be made in select cases.

 

 

Additional Requirements: Minimum credit hours, and required courses completed, including AP and transfer, vary according to program area. Please check with advisor and/or review the academic programs for your program area for further details.

Academic Programs

Transfer or Returning Students: If you are not a current UTK student, you must be admitted to the University before your admission to Teacher Education is finalized. Candidates may choose to apply to UTK at this time. Check with your advisor regarding classification as an undergraduate or a graduate student before submitting an application to the University. Admission to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, does not guarantee admission to teacher education. However, admission to UTK is required before full admission to a teacher education program is official. For more information about UTK admission, please click here.

Summer Application Period: June 16, 2025 to August 5, 2025

Please follow the link below to the website for the Office of Professional Licensure which houses the application process: