Degrees and Certificates
Master of Science (M.S.) Areas of Study
Advance your impact with a Master of Science (M.S.) degree. Our programs blend research, practice, and mentorship to prepare educators and professionals for leadership in fields like literacy, mathematics, special education, and more. Whether you’re building on your experience or charting a new path, TPTE offers the support and expertise to help you grow. Discover how a M.S. from TPTE can move your career forward.
Applied Behavior Analysis | Program Type: On Campus
The Teacher Education, MS; Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Concentration is designed to prepare practitioners to use behavior analytic techniques and treatment approaches to prevent and reduce problem behaviors and to increase appropriate behaviors and skills targeted to improve overall quality of life. The ABA Concentration coursework is comprised of courses in Special Education and School Psychology programs. Content in this program of studies is primarily focused on treatment approaches for children and adults with learning or behavioral difficulties and their teachers and caregivers.
UT Catalog – the new ABA Program will be available in Fall 2026. Check back for more information!
For more information, contact Dr. Tara Moore at tara.moore@utk.edu
Educational Psychology | Program Type: Distance Education
The Educational Psychology Distance Education Program, EdPsych Online, is designed for professionals working in school settings, colleges and universities, and business and government as well as those preparing for work in these and related areas. All courses for this degree are offered online through Distance Education. Faculty members are committed to the creation and study of environments that enhance learning potential and promote lifelong learning for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The coursework-only program requires 36 graduate credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive examination, with a grade of Pass.
Coursework for the MS in Educational Psychology with a Concentration in Applied Educational Psychology can be completed in two years by taking two online courses per semester fall, spring and summer semesters. For additional information, please visit the Ed Psych Online program webpage.
Educational Psychology Major, MS
For more information email Dr. Patricia Higgins at phiggin5@vols.utk.edu
Instructional Technology | Program Type: Distance Education
The Instructional Technology Concentration prepares students to design, develop, implement, and evaluate online learning environments. These skills will be desirable in a variety of contexts such as education, corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations.
Education Major, MS
Instructional Technology Concentration
For more information email tpteinfo@utk-edu
Teacher Education (with and without Teacher Licensure) | Program Type: On Campus, Distance Education
Overview
TPTE offers three pathways to becoming a teacher while earning a graduate degree. One pathway is an on campus option known as the Professional Internship Concentrations. Students enrolled in this program are prepared through relevant coursework and a year-long internship that involves supervised teaching in a classroom setting with a school mentor. A second pathway is a distance education program that is known as the Practitioner Concentration, which is designed for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree and are seeking teacher licensure in a high-needs area while serving as the instructor of record in a partnering school district or private school. Both pathways include focus areas representing different content areas such as deaf studies, elementary education, interdisciplinary early childhood, secondary education, and special education. A third pathway is a distance education program that is known as the Student Teaching Concentration, which is designed for people seeking initial teaching licensure through remote programming option which includes a 15-week student teaching experience. At this time, there is one focus area – Special Education-Hearing (Deaf Studies / Education). TPTE also offers a non-licensure Master’s degree option – Educational Studies. The Educational Studies degree, however, depending on the student’s program of study, may lead to an additional endorsement area for an already licensed teacher.
Professional Internship Concentrations | Program type: On Campus
The Professional Internship Concentrations are intended for individuals seeking initial teacher licensure. Note that several of the Concentrations have dual or triple pathway options that lead to additional licensure in English as a Second Language and/or Special Education. The Professional Internship includes the following Concentrations:
- American Sign Language (ASL) Education
- Art Education
- Deaf Education
- Elementary Education
- English Education and English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Integrated PreK – Grade 3
- Social Science Education
- Special Education
- World Language Education
For more information email tpteinfo@utk.edu
Practitioner Concentration | Program Type: Distance Education
The Practitioner concentration is designed for students who are earning an initial teaching credential while serving as an instructor of record (i.e. as a “Job-Embedded Practitioner”) or as an Apprentice Teacher (i.e., as a “Grow Your Own” teacher candidate) in a school. State licensure requirements allow a partnership school system (or private school) to employ an individual as “instructor of record” or as an “apprentice teacher,” provided content/subject knowledge has been met, and the candidate has been admitted to an approved educator preparation program (EPP). The student would complete graduate-level coursework while carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a first-year teacher or an apprentice teacher, with school system and UT faculty as mentors, and has four years to complete licensure requirements. The Tennessee Department of Education’s Office of Educator Licensing will issue the license only at the recommendation of the approved educator preparation program. The Practitioner Concentration offers the following focus areas or Specializations:
- American Sign Language (ASL)
- Art Education
- Deaf Education
- Elementary Education
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- English Education
- Math or Science Education – Middle Grades Focus
- Math Education
- Science Education
- Social Science Education
- Special Education
- World Language Education
For more information email tpteinfo@utk.edu
Student Teaching Concentration | Program type: Distance Education
The student teaching program is designed for people seeking initial teaching license through remote programming options. After completing the majority of their coursework, students will enroll in a 15-week student teaching experience. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be recommended for Tennessee teaching license for special education-hearing. A person planning to teach Deaf students in another state would apply for licensure in that state upon receiving their Tennessee teaching license in Tennessee. UTK’s Office of Professional Licensure will supply an out-of-state educator preparation verification form upon request.
The Student Teaching Concentration encompasses the following focus area / specialization.
For more information email tpteinfo@utk.edu
Educational Studies Concentration (non-licensure) | Program type: On Campus, Distance Education
The Educational Studies concentration does not lead to initial teacher licensure but, depending on the student’s program of study, may lead to an additional endorsement area for an already licensed teacher. It is for students seeking to enhance their professional knowledge and expertise, for those preparing to teach at the post-secondary level, or for those preparing for careers that do not require teacher licensure.
The Educational Studies Concentration encompasses the following focus areas or specializations:
- American Sign Language (ASL) Education
- Art Education
- Cultural Studies of Educational Foundations
- Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Elementary Education
- English Education
- English as a Second Language
- Literacy Education
- Math Education
- Science Education
- Social Science Education
- Special Education
- Teaching and Learning Education
- World Language Education
For more information email tpteinfo@utk.edu
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) Areas of Study
Take the next step in your professional journey with an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree. The Ed.S. offers advanced, practice-focused preparation for educators and other professionals seeking leadership roles, deeper specialization, and greater impact. With close faculty mentorship and flexible program options, you’ll build the skills and expertise to make a meaningful difference. Explore how an Ed.S. can help you lead, innovate, and inspire.
School Psychology | Program Type: On Campus
School Psychology offers graded, sequential, and hierarchical training in research, assessment, consultation, and intervention. The program prepares professionals who work collaboratively with educators, administrators, parents, and children to promote learning and development in general education students and students with special needs.
Education Major, EdS
School Psychology Concentration
For more information email tpteinfo@utk.edu
Teacher Education | Program Type: On Campus, Distance Education
The department offers a Specialist in Education (EdS) degree with a Major in teacher education. This degree is designed for those students who already possess a master’s degree in education. The department offers a Distance Education Practitioner option for individuals who hold a master’s degree in education and who are employed as a Job-Embedded practitioner. The Teacher Education Major, EdS includes the following Concentrations:
- Applied Behavior Analysis (Special Education & School Psychology) (new program beginning in Fall 2026)
- Art Education
- Educational Technology (Distance Education)
- Elementary Education
- English Education
- Literacy Education (Distance Education)
- Math Education
- Practitioner (Distance Education)
- Science Education
- Social Science Education
- Special Education
- Teaching and Learning
- World Language Education
Teacher Education Major, EdS
UT Catalog
For more information email tpteinfo@utk.edu
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Areas of Study
Theory and Practice in Teacher Education offers the PhD degree with majors in Education and in School Psychology. Within the Education Major, Concentrations and Specializations are available in Deaf Studies, Literacy Studies (Specialization in Children’s and Young Adult Literature, ESL or Literacy Education); Special Education, and Teacher Education Concentration (Specializations in Cultural Studies, Elementary Education, English Education, Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, Math Education, Science Education, or Social Science Education).
Deaf Studies | Program Type: On Campus
Education Major, PhD, Deaf Studies Concentration
For more information email tpteinfo@utk.edu
Learning, Design, and Technology | Program Type: On Campus
Education Major, PhD, Learning, Design, and Technology Concentration
For more information email tpteinfo@utk.edu
Literacy Studies with Specializations: Children’s and Young Adult Literature, English as a Second Language (ESL), or Literacy Education | Program Type: On Campus
Education Major, PhD, Literacy Studies
Children’s and Young Adult Literature Overview
English as a Second Language Overview
For more information email tpteinfo@utk.edu
School Psychology | Program Type: On Campus
School Psychology Major, PhD
For more information email tpteinfo@utk.edu
Special Education | Program Type: On Campus
Education Major, PhD, Special Education Concentration
For more information email tpteinfo@utk.edu
Teacher Education with Specializations: Cultural Studies, Elementary Education, English Education, Interdisciplinary Early Childhood, Math/Science Education, Social Science Education, or World Language Education | Program Type: On Campus
Education Major, PhD, Teacher Education Concentration
Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Overview
Mathematics and Science Education Overview
Social Science Education Overview
For more information email tpteinfo@utk.edu
Graduate Certificates
Our graduate certificate programs offer focused, flexible pathways for educators and professionals who want to build specialized knowledge, strengthen their skills, or explore emerging areas in the field of education.
Overview of TPTE Graduate Certificates | Program type: on campus, distance education
Graduate Certificates are intended for those seeking to develop a knowledge and skill base in a specific area. Coursework typically includes 12-15 credit hours. For teachers, certificate coursework is designed to lead to additional teaching endorsements. TPTE offers the following Graduate Certificates:
American Sign Language (ASL) Graduate Certificate
Art Education K-12 Graduate Certificate
Deaf Education PreK-12 Graduate Certificate
Educational Data Science Graduate Certificate (distance education)
Elementary Education Graduate Certificate
English as a Second Language (ESL) PreK-12
Literacy Specialist Graduate Certificate (distance education)
Online Teaching and Learning Graduate Certificate (distance education)
Social Justice Education Graduate Certificate
Special Education Comprehensive (K-12) Graduate Certificate
Special Education Interventionist (K-8) and (6-12) Graduate Certificate
STEM Leadership Graduate Certificate (distance education)
Writing for Children and Teens Graduate Certificate
For more information email tpteinfo@utk.edu
How to Apply
- Register for a GoVols Account OR apply via CommonApp
- Are you a transfer student? Here’s what you need to know.
- Are you an international student? Here’s what you need to know.
- Are you looking for more information about becoming a teacher? Here’s what you need to know.