UT-PLAYS is a non-credit generating program leading to Special Education Comprehensive K-12, Interventionist K-8, Interventionist 6-12, Mathematics 6-8, or Mathematics 6-12 licensure/endorsements. All UT-PLAYS programs are fully online and asynchronous.
Program Eligibility
UT-PLAYS additional endorsement program is open to any Tennessee educator who (a) holds an active academic teaching license in the state of TN and (b) is currently employed by a TN school system. Unfortunately, school services personnel and occupational licenses are not eligible for our add-on endorsement program. The cost of the program is $1250 for a year subscription.
UT-PLAYS initial licensure programs are open to individuals with a desire to become K-12 educators who have a four-year degree. There are two pathways to initial licensure: Apprenticeship and Job Embedded. Individuals who wish to participate in the Grow Your Apprenticeship program to obtain licensure for free will need the support of a partnering school district and qualifying employment. Individuals who wish to participate in the Job Embedded pathway, must have a teacher of record position, passed the appropriate Praxis. The cost of the job-embedded pathway is $2500 for a year subscription.
UT-PLAYS has designed our programs with working educators in mind. All learning will take place online, asynchronously via Canvas Catalog at a time that works for you. For more information about each program and application, please visit the UT-PLAYS website.
Program Requirements
Initial Licensure (for all Apprenticeship and Job-Embedded Participants)
- Eight asynchronous learning modules
- Each module takes approximately 20-80 hours to complete
- Competency-based activities throughout the course
Special Education Additional Endorsement Requirements
- 8 asynchronous learning modules
- Each module takes approximately 10-15 hours to complete and may be stopped and started at any time. The total time to complete the Comprehensive K-12 or Interventionist K-8/6-12 program is approximately 100 clock hours. Our dual enrollment program takes approximately 145 clock hours to complete.
- Brief assessments of learning following each lesson with instant feedback and the opportunity to retake quizzes, if necessary, to earn a passing score of 90% or better and advance to the next module.
- Competency-based experience activities at the end of each module.
Mathematics Program Requirements
- Five asynchronous learning modules
- Each module takes approximately 10-20 hours to complete and may be stopped and started at any time. The total time to complete the Math 6-8/Math 6-12 program is approximately 80 clock hours. The Algebra 1 Employment Standard (optional) is an additional 20 hours.
- Brief assessments of learning following each lesson with instant feedback and the opportunity to retake quizzes, if necessary, to earn a passing score of 80% or better and advance to the next module.
- Competency-based activities throughout the course.
Competency-Based Activities
Participants in our programs will complete focused activities throughout their time in our program. The activities are designed to target important knowledge and skills required of educators while accommodating busy teacher schedules. Some examples of activities include: attending an IEP meeting, adapting a lesson plan, conducting Q&A with a special education teacher, completing a Mathematics Autobiography, and administering a classroom survey of interest.
Program Differentiation
Teachers who enroll in one of the programs and who hold an active license may be eligible for program differentiation with one or more learning modules waived. More information is available from the Program Facilitators.
Timeline
Teachers who enroll in one of the programs and who hold an active license may be eligible for program differentiation with one or more learning modules waived. More information is available from the Program Facilitators.
Professional Development Points
UT-PLAYS is non-credit-bearing. Participants will earn TDOE approved PDPs (6) upon successful completion of each learning module.
Program Enrollment
Initial Licensure and Additional Endorsement applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Please contact the office for more information. In order to know the times the applications are open and closed, please sign up for the UT PLAYS Newsletter.