{"id":38,"date":"2025-04-02T09:57:46","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T13:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cehhs-wds-dev.utk.edu\/opl\/?page_id=38"},"modified":"2026-09-08T11:50:28","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T15:50:28","slug":"job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/apply-to-teacher-education\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><a id=\"JEP-Top\"><\/a><hr class=\"orange-hash\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong>Step 1: Fill out the <a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/appXySg8BXIGjIJbt\/pagwaYIj2MWzDdjiu\/form\">Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure application<\/a><a id=\"Step1-JEPReverse\"><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong><a href=\"#Step2-JEP\">Step 2: Fill out the UTK Graduate School Application<\/a> <a id=\"Step2-JEPReverse\"><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"#Step3-JEP\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong>Step 3: Complete a background check<\/strong><\/span><\/a><a id=\"Step3-JEPReverse\"><\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"#Step4-JEP\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong>Step 4: Submit content knowledge documentation<\/strong><\/span><\/a><a id=\"Step4-JEPReverse\"><\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"#Step5-JEP\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong>Step 5: Admission Board Review<\/strong><\/span><\/a><a id=\"Step5-JEPReverse\"><\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"#Step6-JEP\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong>Step 6: Admission decision and verification<\/strong><\/span><\/a><a id=\"Step6-JEPReverse\"><\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong><a href=\"#Step7-JEP\">Step 7: Issuing the Practitioner&#8217;s License\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Detailed instructions for each step are below.\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><hr class=\"orange-hash\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Admission Step Details<\/span><\/h4>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong>Step 1: Fill out the <a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/appXySg8BXIGjIJbt\/pagwaYIj2MWzDdjiu\/form\">Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure application<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">The Job-Embedded Practitioner (JEP) Program provides a pathway to teacher licensure for individuals who have already earned a bachelor\u2019s degree and are interested in becoming a licensed teacher. The program combines graduate-level coursework with full-time teaching experience and can lead to a master\u2019s degree in Teacher Education.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">A key part of the Job-Embedded pathway is working as the Teacher of Record in a qualifying teaching position. Coursework may begin before a teaching position is secured; however, completion of the program requires at least one full academic year (10 months) of full-time teaching while enrolled in the program.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">The program is designed to accommodate working professionals. Coursework is:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">100% online<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Scheduled with a full-time teaching schedule in mind<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Typically completed in approximately two years<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">The Tennessee Department of Education requires individuals seeking a teaching license to be accepted into an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP). The University of Tennessee Teacher Education Program is an approved EPP, and admission to the JEP Program fulfills this educator preparation admission requirement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong>Admission Requirements<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Completed bachelor\u2019s degree<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cumulative Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">All who are interested in becoming a teacher are encouraged to apply.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Have a major listed on official transcripts in the content area you want to teach or submit passing licensure exam scores<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong>Program Areas<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Program Areas of the Job-Embedded Program are offered in the following subjects and grade levels:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Agriculture Education, 6-12<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Art, K-12<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">American Sign Language PreK-12<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Deaf Education PreK-12<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Elementary Education, K-5<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">English, 6-12<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">English as a Second Language, PreK-12<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">School Librarian, Library Information Specialist, PreK-12<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Mathematics, 6-12<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Middle Grades Mathematics, 6-8 or 6-10<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Middle Grades Science, 6-8<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science), 6-12<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Social Science Education (History, Geography, Government, Economics), 6-12<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Social Science Education (Psychology &amp; Sociology), 9-12<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Special Education: Interventionist K-8; Interventionist, 6-12, Comprehensive K-12<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">World Language (Spanish, French, Latin, German, Russian), 6-12<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">*School Counselor, PreK-12 (Please contact counadmit@utk.edu for application and program requirements)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you have obtained a\u00a0 teaching license and are looking to add an endorsement, please contact <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"mailto:beateacher@utk.edu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">beateacher@utk.edu<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Professional Competencies, Attitudes, and Dispositions (ProCADs)<\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Becoming an educator involves more than meeting academic requirements. Successful teachers demonstrate professionalism, responsibility, communication skills, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to supporting students.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">At UT, these qualities are called <strong>Professional Competencies, Attitudes, and Dispositions (ProCADs).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">All candidates in teacher licensure programs are expected to demonstrate and maintain the <a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/utk.edu\/procadsforstudents\">Professional Competencies, Attitudes, and Dispositions (ProCADs)<\/a> expected of professional educators.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">ProCADs are evaluated throughout the educator preparation program. Candidates are expected to continue developing these professional qualities as they progress through the program. Concerns related to ProCADs may affect continued participation in a teacher licensure program, regardless of academic performance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Preparing for the Application Questions<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">As part of the Teacher Education Application, candidates will respond to three short-response questions. These questions provide an opportunity to share experiences, interests, goals, and reasons for pursuing a career in education.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Candidates should be prepared to answer:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul data-spread=\"false\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Why do you think you could become a successful teacher or educator?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Why have you chosen this particular field or program area of teaching or education?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">What experiences have you had working with children and\/or youth?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">There is no single \u201ccorrect\u201d response to these questions. The goal is to provide thoughtful, specific answers that help reviewers understand the candidate as a future educator.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Tips for Writing Strong Responses<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Candidates do not need to be experienced essay writers to submit strong responses. Before beginning, consider the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul data-spread=\"false\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Answer the entire question. Read each question carefully and make sure the response addresses everything being asked.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Be specific. Instead of only stating an interest in teaching, explain what experiences, people, goals, or observations helped develop that interest.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Use examples. Experiences may come from schools, employment, volunteering, tutoring, coaching, mentoring, childcare, camps, community organizations, or other settings involving children or youth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Explain the impact. When describing an experience, include what was learned and how it influenced the decision to become an educator.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Show interest and determination. Explain why teaching matters personally and what motivates the commitment to completing the Teacher Education Program.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Connect experiences to the future. Consider how past experiences may help with becoming an effective teacher and supporting future students.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Write in complete sentences. Responses should be organized, professional, and easy for the reader to follow.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Proofread before submitting. Check spelling, grammar, punctuation, and clarity. Reading a response aloud can help identify sentences that need improvement.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Take time with each response. The application is an opportunity to reflect on the decision to enter education and demonstrate readiness to grow into the responsibilities of a professional educator.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#Step1-JEPReverse\">Top<\/a><\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong><a id=\"Step2-JEP\"><\/a>Step 2: Fill out the <a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"https:\/\/gradschool.utk.edu\/future-students\/office-of-graduate-admissions\/applying-to-graduate-school\/\">UTK Graduate School Application<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Admission to the JEP Program and admission to the UT Graduate School are separate processes. Both applications are required.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Complete the<\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"https:\/\/gradschool.utk.edu\/admissions\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UT Graduate School Application<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for the appropriate online graduate program.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">For the JEP Program, the Graduate School application should be submitted as a Distance Education application within the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">For individuals who already hold a master\u2019s degree, the Job-Embedded pathway may be completed while pursuing a Specialist in Education (EdS) degree rather than earning a second master\u2019s degree.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">The EdS option is offered 100% online, with coursework scheduled to accommodate working professionals. An EdS is an advanced graduate degree beyond the master\u2019s level and may also qualify for increased compensation in some school districts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">The appropriate graduate program depends on the degree being pursued:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Teacher Education MS: Practitioner (Online) \u2013 for applicants pursuing a master&#8217;s degree<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Teacher Education EdS: Practitioner (Online) \u2013 for applicants who already hold a master&#8217;s degree and plan to pursue a Specialist in Education degree<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Degree and licensure requirements vary by program area, so reviewing the available program options and admission requirements is recommended before applying.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">A specialization should not be selected for either program.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Programs with Different Application Procedures<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Agriculture Education and School Librarian applicants follow different application procedures.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Agriculture Education application questions may be directed to Program Coordinator Tyler Granberry at <a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"mailto:tgranber@utk.edu\">tgranber@utk.edu<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">School Librarian (Library Information Specialist) application questions may be directed to Program Coordinator Scot Smith at <a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"mailto:ssmith40@utk.edu\">ssmith40@utk.edu<\/a>.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong>Transcripts<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Official transcripts for all previously earned degrees must be submitted according to the instructions provided in the Graduate School application.<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Official transcripts must be issued by the college or university where the degree was earned and sent directly to the University of Tennessee Graduate School.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Email: <a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"mailto:gradtranscripts@utk.edu\">gradtranscripts@utk.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mailing Address:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The University of Tennessee, Knoxville<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Office of Graduate Admissions<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">201 Student Services Building<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Knoxville, TN 37996-0221<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Degrees earned outside the United States require a course-by-course credential evaluation of the degree and transcripts from an approved credential evaluation service.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Approved services include organizations that are members of the<\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.naces.org\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or the<\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.aice-eval.org\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Examples of credential evaluation services include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">A2Z Evaluations, LLC \u2013 http:\/\/www.a2zeval.com<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. \u2013 <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.acei-global.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.acei-global.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">American Association of Collegiate Registrars &amp; Admission Officers \u2013 <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.aacrao.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.aacrao.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. \u2013 <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ece.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.ece.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Educational Perspectives, Inc. \u2013 <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.edperspective.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.edperspective.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Evaluation Services, Inc. \u2013 <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.evaluationservice.net\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.evaluationservice.net<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Foreign Consultants, Inc. \u2013 <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.foreignconsultants.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.foreignconsultants.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Foreign Credits, Inc. \u2013 <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.foreigncredits.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.foreigncredits.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Foundation for International Service \u2013 <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.fis-web.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.fis-web.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Global Credential Evaluators, Inc. \u2013 <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gceus.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.gceus.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">International Education Research Foundation \u2013 <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ierf.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.ierf.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Josef Silny &amp; Associates, Inc. \u2013 <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.jsilny.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.jsilny.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">SpanTran: The Evaluation Company \u2013 <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.spantran.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.spantran.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">World Evaluation Services \u2013 <\/span><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"http:\/\/www.wes.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">http:\/\/www.wes.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Current Tennessee requirements should be confirmed before selecting and paying for a credential evaluation service.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\"><a href=\"#Step2-JEPReverse\">Top<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong><a id=\"Step3-JEP\"><\/a>Step 3: Complete a background check<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">A background clearance is required as part of the Job-Embedded Practitioner (JEP) admission and licensure process. The steps for completing this requirement depend on whether a qualifying teaching position has already been secured.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Candidates should review the <a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Criminal-Background-Check-and-Fingerprinting-Requirement-for-Admission-to-the-Educator-Preparation-Program.pdf\">CEHHS Background Check Policy<\/a> and follow the option below that best matches their current employment status.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong>Option 1: A Qualifying Teaching Position Has Been Secured<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Candidates who have secured a qualifying teaching position may use documentation from the employing school or school district to help satisfy the background clearance requirement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">The school or district may submit an Intent to Hire letter confirming the candidate\u2019s employment and required information.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">To request the Intent to Hire template or ask questions about the required documentation, contact <a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"mailto:beateacher@utk.edu\">beateacher@utk.edu<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">If you already have a teaching position start with this option before completing a separate UT background check.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong>Option 2: A Qualifying Teaching Position Has Not Yet Been Secured<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Candidates do not need to wait until they are hired to continue working toward completion of the JEP application.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Applicants who have not yet secured a qualifying teaching position must:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul data-spread=\"false\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Complete the <a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/appXySg8BXIGjIJbt\/pagf4OS5QuyHhX0UO\/form\">Background Check Authorization Form<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Complete the required fingerprinting process according to the instructions provided.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Completing the background clearance requirement allows the application to continue through the admission process while the candidate searches for a qualifying teaching position.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> A qualifying teaching position is still required to participate in and complete the Job-Embedded Practitioner pathway. Completing a background check does not replace the program\u2019s clinical experience requirement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#Step3-JEPReverse\">Top<\/a><\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong><a id=\"Step4-JEP\"><\/a>Step 4: Submit content knowledge documentation<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Content knowledge must be demonstrated for admission to the JEP Program and issuance of a Tennessee Practitioner License.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Depending on the teaching endorsement, content knowledge may be demonstrated through a passing licensure assessment or an eligible degree major.<\/span><\/p>\n<h6><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;color: #4b4b4b\"><b>Licensure Content Assessment<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">A passing score may be submitted from an approved content assessment offered through:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"https:\/\/praxis.ets.org\/state-requirements\/tennessee-overview.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Educational Testing Service (ETS\/Praxis)<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><a style=\"color: #4b4b4b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nestest.com\/state\/tn\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pearson\/NES<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">The required assessment depends on the teaching endorsement being pursued.<\/span><\/p>\n<h6><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;color: #4b4b4b\"><b>Qualifying Degree Major<\/b><\/span><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">For certain teaching endorsements, an eligible bachelor&#8217;s or master&#8217;s degree major may meet the content knowledge requirement in place of a content assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Under Tennessee&#8217;s Professional Assessments for Tennessee Educators Policy, qualifying majors must meet state requirements, including alignment between the degree major and the teaching endorsement and a minimum 3.0 GPA in major-related coursework.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Qualifying content areas may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">American Sign Language<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Biology<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Chemistry<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Earth Science<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Economics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">English<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">French<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Geography<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">German<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Government<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">History<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Latin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Mathematics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Other World Languages<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Physics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Political Science<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Psychology<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Sociology<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Spanish<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">For example, a bachelor&#8217;s degree with a transcript-listed major in Biology may meet the content knowledge requirement for the Biology 6\u201312 endorsement when all applicable state requirements are met.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Not all majors or teaching endorsements qualify for this option. Eligibility is determined according to current Tennessee licensure policy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#Step4-JEPReverse\">Top<\/a><\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong><a id=\"Step5-JEP\"><\/a>Step 5: Admission Board Review<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Completed applications are reviewed by the Program Coordinator for the selected teaching area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Additional information may be requested during the review process. Depending on the program area, an interview may also be required before an admission decision is made.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#Step5-JEPReverse\">Top<\/a><\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong><a id=\"Step6-JEP\"><\/a>Step 6: Admission decision and verification\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Candidates recommended for admission will receive an official admission letter through the email given on the JEP application.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">The admission email will include instructions for completing the required <strong>Admission Verification Form<\/strong>. This form confirms the candidate\u2019s decision to accept admission to the Teacher Education Program and must be completed before moving forward with the next steps of the program.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong>Admission is not complete until the Admission Verification Form has been submitted.<\/strong> Candidates should carefully review the admission email, complete the form by the provided deadline, and keep the admission letter for their records.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Following admission, the CEHHS Director of Graduate Studies reviews admission to the UTK Graduate School. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Following admission to the graduate school a Plan of Study is reviewed with the appropriate Licensure Specialist and\/or Program Coordinator.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">The Plan of Study outlines the requirements for completing the JEP Program, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Required professional education coursework<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Teaching-area or specialty coursework<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Required clinical experiences<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Expected program timeline<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Licensure and program completion requirements<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">The Plan of Study serves as a guide for progressing through the program and completing the requirements for teacher licensure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#Step6-JEPReverse\">Top<\/a><\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\"><strong><a id=\"Step7-JEP\"><\/a>Step 7: Issuing the Practitioner&#8217;s License<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Admission to the JEP Program and issuance of a Tennessee Practitioner License are related but separate parts of issuing a practitioners license.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">The Job-Embedded pathway involves coordination among the University of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Education, and the employing school or school district. State licensure requirements must be met before a Practitioner License can be issued.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Requirements for initial Practitioner License issuance include applicable content knowledge requirements, a qualifying teaching position, required employment documentation, program enrollment, and any additional requirements established by the Tennessee Department of Education.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #4b4b4b\">Additional assessments or licensure requirements may also be required before completion of the JEP Program and advancement to a professional teaching license.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#JEP-Top\"><span style=\"color: #4b4b4b\">Back to the Top<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Step 1: Fill out the Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure application Step 2: Fill out the UTK Graduate School Application Step 3: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"parent":272,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-wide.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-38","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure Program - Office of Professional Licensure<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/apply-to-teacher-education\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure Program - Office of Professional Licensure\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Step 1: Fill out the Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure application Step 2: Fill out the UTK Graduate School Application Step 3: [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/apply-to-teacher-education\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Office of Professional Licensure\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-08T15:50:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cehhs.utk.edu\\\/opl\\\/apply-to-teacher-education\\\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cehhs.utk.edu\\\/opl\\\/apply-to-teacher-education\\\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\\\/\",\"name\":\"Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure Program - Office of Professional Licensure\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cehhs.utk.edu\\\/opl\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-02T13:57:46+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-08T15:50:28+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cehhs.utk.edu\\\/opl\\\/apply-to-teacher-education\\\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/cehhs.utk.edu\\\/opl\\\/apply-to-teacher-education\\\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cehhs.utk.edu\\\/opl\\\/apply-to-teacher-education\\\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cehhs.utk.edu\\\/opl\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Apply to Teacher Education\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cehhs.utk.edu\\\/opl\\\/apply-to-teacher-education\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure Program\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cehhs.utk.edu\\\/opl\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cehhs.utk.edu\\\/opl\\\/\",\"name\":\"Office of Professional Licensure\",\"description\":\"University of Tennessee, Knoxville\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cehhs.utk.edu\\\/opl\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure Program - Office of Professional Licensure","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/apply-to-teacher-education\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure Program - Office of Professional Licensure","og_description":"Step 1: Fill out the Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure application Step 2: Fill out the UTK Graduate School Application Step 3: [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/apply-to-teacher-education\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\/","og_site_name":"Office of Professional Licensure","article_modified_time":"2026-09-08T15:50:28+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/apply-to-teacher-education\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\/","url":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/apply-to-teacher-education\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\/","name":"Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure Program - Office of Professional Licensure","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/#website"},"datePublished":"2025-04-02T13:57:46+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-08T15:50:28+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/apply-to-teacher-education\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/apply-to-teacher-education\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/apply-to-teacher-education\/job-embedded-practitioner-licensure-program\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Apply to Teacher Education","item":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/apply-to-teacher-education\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Job-Embedded Practitioner Licensure Program"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/#website","url":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/","name":"Office of Professional Licensure","description":"University of Tennessee, Knoxville","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":411,"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38\/revisions\/411"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cehhs.utk.edu\/opl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}