Educator Preparation Programs
The Bailey Graduate School of Education’s Educator Preparation Programs are accredited by the Council for the [Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)]. In addition, programs are accredited or approved by the [Tennessee State Department of Education].
| Program Leads to the following TN Endorsement Code (or Codes for Dual Programs) | Program Level | Clinical Experience Type |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 122 Mathematics 6-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 123 Science 6-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 125 Mathematics 6-12 | Undergraduate | Student Teaching |
| 125 Mathematics 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 125 Mathematics 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 126 Biology 6-12 | Undergraduate | Student Teaching |
| 126 Biology 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 126 Biology 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 127 Chemistry 6-12 | Undergraduate | Student Teaching |
| 127 Chemistry 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 127 Chemistry 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 128 Earth Science 6-12 | Undergraduate | Student Teaching |
| 128 Earth Science 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 128 Earth Science 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 129 Physics 6-12 | Undergraduate | Student Teaching |
| 129 Physics 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 129 Physics 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 130 Economics 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 131 Geography 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 132 Government 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 133 History 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 150 Agriculture 7-12; 151 Agriscience 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 151 Agriculture 7-12; 151 Agriscience 6-12 | Undergraduate | Student Teaching |
| 152 Agriculture 7-12; 151 Agriscience 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Student Teaching |
| 159 English 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 163 French 6-12, 491 French pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 163 French 6-12, 491 French pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 164 German 6-12, 492 German pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 164 German 6-12, 492 German pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 167 Latin 6-12, 493 Latin pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 167 Latin 6-12, 493 Latin pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 168 Russian 6-12, 494 Russian pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 168 Russian 6-12, 494 Russian pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 169 Spanish 6-12, 495 Spanish pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 169 Spanish 6-12, 495 Spanish pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 170 Other World languages 6-12, 496 Other World Languages PreK-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 170 Other World languages 6-12, 496 Other World Languages PreK-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 424 Sociology 9-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 426 Psychology 9-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 427 Visual Arts K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 428 Vocal/General Music K-12 | Undergraduate | Student Teaching |
| 428 Vocal/General Music K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Student Teaching |
| 428 Vocal/General Music K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 429 Instrumental/General Music K-12 | Undergraduate | Student Teaching |
| 429 Instrumental/General Music K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Student Teaching |
| 429 Instrumental/General Music K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 467 Early Childhood Education pre-K-3 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 468 Early Learning and Development pre-K-K | Undergraduate | Student Teaching |
| 473 Library Information Specialist pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 473 Library Information Specialist pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 474 Library Information Specialist pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Student Teaching |
| 490 English as a Second Language pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| Program Leads to the following TN Endorsement Code (or Codes for Dual Programs) | Program Level | Clinical Experience Type |
| 145 Special Education Interventionist K-8, 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 461 Special Education Comprehensive K–12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 122 Mathematics 6-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 122 Mathematics 6-8 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 123 Science 6-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 123 Science 6-8 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8, 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 144 Special Education Interventionist K–8 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 490 English as a Second Language pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 490 English as a Second Language pre-K–12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 122 Mathematics 6-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 123 Science 6-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 130 Economics 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 131 Economics 6-12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 131 Geography 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 132 Geography 6-12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 132 Government 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 133 Government 6-12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 133 History 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 134 History 6-12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | GYO Internship |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | Provisional |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8, 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12, 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8, 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12, 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12, 120 Elementary Education K-5 | Post-Baccalaureate | GYO Internship |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8, 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12, 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12and ONE of the following: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Secondary English Education, Secondary Mathematics Education, Secondary Science Education, or Secondary Social Science Education. | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| Program Leads to the following TN Endorsement Code (or Codes for Dual Programs) | Program Level | Clinical Experience Type |
| 145 Special Education Interventionist K-8, 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 461 Special Education Comprehensive K–12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 122 Mathematics 6-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 122 Mathematics 6-8 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 123 Science 6-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 123 Science 6-8 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8, 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 144 Special Education Interventionist K–8 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 490 English as a Second Language pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 120 Elementary Education K-5, 490 English as a Second Language pre-K–12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 122 Mathematics 6-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 123 Science 6-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 130 Economics 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 131 Economics 6-12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 131 Geography 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 132 Geography 6-12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 132 Government 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 133 Government 6-12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 133 History 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 134 History 6-12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | GYO Internship |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8 | Post-Baccalaureate | Provisional |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8, 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12, 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8, 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12, 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12, 120 Elementary Education K-5 | Post-Baccalaureate | GYO Internship |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8, 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12, 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12and ONE of the following: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Secondary English Education, Secondary Mathematics Education, Secondary Science Education, or Secondary Social Science Education. | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8, 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K-8, 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12, 467 Early Childhood Education pre-K-3 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 144 Special Education Interventionist K–8, 461 Special Education Comprehensive K–12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | GYO Internship |
| 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Provisional |
| 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12, 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12, 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12, 467 Early Childhood Education pre-K-3 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 145 Special Education Interventionist 6-12, Secondary STEM | Post-Baccalaureate | GYO Internship |
| 159 English 6-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 159 English 6-12, 490 English as a Second Language pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 171 American Sign Language pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 171 American Sign Language pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 428 Visual Arts K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | GYO Internship |
| 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Provisional |
| 461 Special Education Comprehensive K-12, 463 Special Education Hearing pre-K-12, and ONE of the following: 120 Elementary Education K-5, Secondary English Education, Secondary Math Education, Secondary Science Education, or Secondary Social Science Education endorsement. | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 463 Special Education Hearing pre-K-12, 171 American Sign Language pre-K-12, 120 Elementary Education | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 463 Special Education Hearing pre-K-12; 171 American Sign Language pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 490 English as a Second Language pre-K-12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Job-Embedded |
| 490 English as a Second Language pre-K-12, two of any of the following Social Sciences 6-12:
– 130 Economics 6-12 – 131 Geography 6-12 – 132 Government 6-12 – 133 History 6-12 |
Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 491 French pre-K–12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 491 French pre-K–12, 490 English as a Second Language pre-K–12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 491 French pre-K–12, 490 English as a Second Language pre-K–12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 492 German pre-K–12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 492 German pre-K–12, 490 English as a Second Language pre-K–12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 492 German pre-K–12, 490 English as a Second Language pre-K–12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 493 Latin pre-K–12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 493 Latin pre-K–12, 490 English as a Second Language pre-K–12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 493 Latin pre-K–12, 490 English as a Second Language pre-K–12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
| 495 Spanish pre-K–12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 495 Spanish pre-K–12, 490 English as a Second Language pre-K–12 | Undergraduate | Internship |
| 495 Spanish pre-K–12, 490 English as a Second Language pre-K–12 | Post-Baccalaureate | Internship |
Educator Preparation Program Data
State Board of Education State Report Cards on Educator Preparation Programs
Each year, the State Board of Education issues a report card of all educator preparation programs in Tennessee, detailing several aspects of the educator preparation programs including student information, employment of graduates, and the impact/effectiveness levels of graduates.
In 2025, the University of Tennessee received the highest possible rating (Exceeds Expectations) for teacher and leader preparation in Tennessee. The full Educator Preparation Report Card is available for review.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 2024
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 2023
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 2022
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 2021
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2020
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2019
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2018
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2017
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2016
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2015
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2014
CAEP Accountability Measures
The state of Tennessee and UT closely track and measure the impact of our teachers on P-12 student learning, growth, and development. Student growth and achievement attributed to their teachers is measured using the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS). In addition to TVAAS, we track our candidates’ Observation Scores and their Levels of Effectiveness in their first three years of teaching.
Teachers prepared by UT demonstrate a positive impact on P-12 student learning, as measured by TVAAS, Classroom Observation Scores, and overall teacher Level of Effectiveness.
TVAAS: Over half of our program completers (56.2%) show a Level 3 or above performance level within their first three years of teaching as indicated in the most recent value-added data. Level 3 is “at expectations” and Levels 3, 4, and 5 are indicators of a teacher’s positive impact on student learning as measured by Tennessee’s standardized testing system.
What is this metric?
This metric reports the percentage of cohort members who earned a student growth (TVAAS) score of at least a 3 (“At Expectations”) on a scale of 1-5. Only cohort members who teach a grade or subject that has a state assessment receive TVAAS scores. For most EPPs, this includes 25-50% of cohort members.
In addition to demonstrating a positive impact on P-12 learning, graduates of UT teacher preparation programs demonstrate multiple measures of teaching effectiveness. In Tennessee, these measures of teaching effectiveness include teacher/classroom observation scores as well as each individual teacher’s Level of Effectiveness.
Classroom Observations: 94.7% of teachers prepared by UT Meet or Exceed expectations in their classroom observations within their first three years of teaching. Additionally, over 85% of teachers prepared by UT Meet or Exceed Expectations on their overall Level of Effectiveness within their first three years of teaching. More information is available here – Select “Browse Teacher preparation Programs” and “University of Tennessee-Knoxville, then select “Program Impact.”
Stakeholder Involvement
Twice each academic year, the UT Educator Preparation program holds meetings of the Council for the Improvement of Professional Education. This Council consists of School and District Leaders, Mentor Teachers and Mentor Principals, Community Organizations, Faculty, Instructors, and Supervisors who work within the EPP. UT shares program data during these meetings and asks for feedback regarding program improvement. Every major proposed program change (including curricular changes, creation and use of assessments, and standards alignments) is presented to this Council for feedback and input prior to implementation.
Presentations from our most recent CIPE meetings are available here:
Employer Satisfaction
During the Council meetings, UT gathers data related to employer satisfaction with our initial teacher licensure programs as well as our advanced licensure program (principal preparation and reading specialist licensure). We make sure to invite a representative sample of employers from diverse districts to this meeting, including principals, assistant principals, and district-level leaders who hire graduates from our educator preparation programs. During these meetings, we provide multiple ways for participants to provide feedback, including gallery walks, padlet prompts, and questions via Google Forms. We thoroughly examine this feedback to assess the overall effectiveness of the program, as well as to identify specific areas for improvement based on evidence.
Linked here are the data from our 2024-2025 CIPE meeting. Over 90% of our employer respondents indicated that they were satisfied with the preparation that teachers receive from UT and that teachers prepared by UT have a positive impact on P-12 student learning. 100% of respondents agreed they are likely to hire future graduates of UT teacher preparation programs.
100% of respondents indicated that they are satisfied with the preparation school leaders receive from UT and that school leaders prepared by UT have a positive impact on the school, teachers, and students.
The Tennessee Educator Preparation Report Card provides a public view of the competencies of our candidates at program completion, as measured by multiple exams and assessments required to obtain teacher or leader licensure.
For the 2023-2024 Academic year, over 99% of UT Teacher Candidates passed the required pedagogical assessment. 96.2% of UT teacher candidates passed the Praxis Subject Area/Content Knowledge Assessment, and 97.3% of teacher candidates passed the Praxis Literacy Instruction Assessment. All of these are higher than the state average pass rate of 88.4% More information is available here.
For the 2023-2024 Academic Year, 100% of our Instructional leadership candidates passed the Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment, demonstrating that they have the competencies to lead schools at program completion. More information is available here. Select “Browse Leader Preparation Programs” and then “University of Tennessee-Knoxville.”
Moving beyond the content area and pedagogical assessment, UT uses the Professional Competencies, Attitudes, and Dispositions (ProCADS) framework to ensure that all teacher candidates graduate from our programs with the full skill set needed to be effective professional educators. 100% of graduating UT teacher candidates must demonstrate proficiency in their professional competencies, attitudes, and dispositions as assessed by themselves, their Mentor Teacher and their University-based supervisor before teacher licensure will be issued or advanced. More information is available here.
For initial teacher preparation programs, employment milestones (such as initial employment and retention) are reported in the Employment category of the Educator Preparation Report Card.
UT “Exceeds Expectations” on the Educator Preparation Report Card for employment of program completers. The 2025 recent report card shows that the rate of first-year employment in Tennessee public schools among UT program completers is 84.5%, second-year retention is 94.5%, and third-year retention is 89.2%. One note is that this data only counts UT graduates who are hired in Tennessee public schools. Accounting for all teacher education graduates, including those who accept positions in private schools, charter schools, or schools that are out of the state of Tennessee results in higher employment rates for our graduates.
For leadership preparation programs, almost 30% of UT leadership program completers were hired and served as administrators in Tennessee Public Schools. This is above the state average of 24.9%. More details are available here – Select “Browse Leader Preparation Programs” and then “University of Tennessee-Knoxville.”