Majors and Minors
TPTE Majors
TPTE prepares undergraduate students for meaningful careers and further graduate study in education-related fields. The Department offers a Bachelor of Science Major in areas that include Audiology and Speech Pathology, Deaf Studies, Elementary Education (grades K-5), Interdisciplinary Early Childhood (birth – grade 3), Secondary Education (grades 6-12), and Special Education.
Below is a complete listing of majors organized by areas of study listed in alphabetical order.
Audiology and Speech Pathology Major, BS
The Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology is designed to introduce undergraduates to the fields of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and to prepare them for applying to graduate school. This program is a joint undergraduate degree program offered between the Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education (TPTE) and the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC).
Deaf Studies Major, BS in Education
Deaf studies includes the following three Concentrations: ASL Education, Deaf Education, and Educational Interpreting. The Deaf Studies undergraduate program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in ASL, ASL linguistics, Deaf history and culture, and educational trends and issues. Teaching and learning in the Deaf Studies program, including class activities, discussion, and demonstration of knowledge, occur in either ASL or English. Integral to the coursework is the goal of preparing culturally competent teachers and interpreters who can provide equitable and quality education for all students.
ASL Education Concentration
The ASL Education Concentration is organized along the following four Specializations:
Art Education Internship Specialization
Deaf Education Specialization
Specialization Leading to Graduate Internship
Undergraduate Internship Specialization
Deaf Education Concentration
The Deaf Education Concentration includes seven Specializations:
Art Education Specialization with an Undergraduate Internship
Early Childhood Education Specialization with an Undergraduate Internship
Elementary Education Specialization with an Undergraduate Internship
Elementary Education Specialization leading to a Graduate Internship
Secondary Education Specialization
UT Catalog
Secondary Education Specialization with Undergraduate Internship
UT Catalog
Special Education Comprehensive Specialization with Undergraduate Internship
Educational Interpreting Concentration
The Educational Interpreting Concentration at UTK is an immersive program built for those aiming to become skilled interpreters in educational environments.
The Educational Interpreting Concentration
Education Major, BS in Education, Elementary Education Concentration
The Bachelor of Science in Education program with a Concentration in Elementary Education is designed to introduce undergraduates to the field of teacher education grades K-5. The program provides a number of program areas and pathways to prepare students in becoming elementary teachers, in earning a teaching license in this area, and/or laying the foundation for graduate studies.
The Elementary Education Concentration includes six Specializations:
Specialization with an Undergraduate Internship
Specialization with a 5th year Graduate Internship
English as a Second Language (ESL) Specialization with an Undergraduate Internship
Intervention Special Education Specialization with an Undergraduate Internship
Middle Grades Math Specialization with an Undergraduate Internship
UT Catalog
Middle Grades Science Specialization with an Undergraduate Internship
Education Major, BS, Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Concentration
Program Type: On Campus and Distance Education Options
The undergraduate Early Childhood Education PreK-K Program is designed to prepare students to obtain the Tennessee Early Development and Learning PreK-K teacher license in order to teach children with and without disabilities, birth through age five and/or to lay a foundation for graduate studies. The PreK–K courses emphasize studying child development in context and developing fundamental instructional strategies within authentic field experiences.
The Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Concentration includes two Specializations:
Integrated Birth to Kindergarten (B-K) Specialization with Student Teaching
For more information about the Integrated Birth to Kindergarten (B-K) Specialization, please contact Melody Hobbs at email mhobbs@utk.edu.
Integrated PreK – Grade 3 Specialization with a 5th Year Graduate Internship
Secondary Education Focus – Education Major, BS
The Bachelor of Science in Education undergraduate program with Concentrations in Secondary Education is designed to prepare students in becoming middle school and/or high school teachers in the areas of English as a Second Language, Math, Science, Social Sciences, or World Languages and in earning a teaching license in their chosen area(s). In addition, the program lays the foundation for graduate studies. Note that TPTE also offers graduate pathways for teacher preparation in Secondary Education. Visit our graduate programs for more information.
Secondary STEM (Math) Concentration
The Secondary STEM (Math) Concentration is includes two Specializations:
VolsTeach Math Specialization with Undergraduate Student Teaching
Middle Grades Math Specialization with Undergraduate Student Teaching
Secondary STEM (Science) Concentration
The Secondary STEM (Science) Concentration includes five Specializations focusing on middle school and/or high school teaching and include an Undergraduate Student Teaching Capstone Experience:
VolsTeach Biology (Grades 6-12) Specialization
VolsTeach Chemistry Specialization
VolsTeach Earth Science (Grades 6-12) Specialization
VolsTeach Physics (Grades 6-12) Specialization
VolsTeach Middle Grades Science (Grades 6-8) Specialization
Second Language Education Concentration
The Second Language Education Concentration is designed to prepare students to teach World Languages and/or English as a Second Language in secondary school settings. The Concentration includes two Specializations:
World Language Education and English as a Second Language Specialization
World Language Education Specialization
Secondary Social Science Concentration
The Secondary Social Science Concentration is designed to prepare students to teach social sciences in secondary school settings.
Special Education Major, BS in Education
The Bachelor of Science in Special Education Program is designed to prepare highly skilled Special Education teachers to support students with a wide range of abilities and needs. The program offers an undergraduate and a graduate pathway to becoming a special education teacher. The graduate pathway results in licensure in three areas related to special education.
Undergraduate Internship
5th Year Graduate Internship
TPTE Minors
Expand your knowledge and broaden your opportunities with an undergraduate minor. TPTE minors offer focused, practice-based preparation for students interested in teaching, learning, and leadership across a range of fields. Whether you’re planning a career in education or want to strengthen your expertise in a related area, a minor can help you make a greater impact. Explore how adding a TPTE minor can enrich your academic and professional path.
Below is a complete listing of minors organized by areas of study listed in alphabetical order.
Art Education Minor
Students seeking licensure to teach art in the schools pursue the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a Major in studio art or the Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in art in the College of Arts and Sciences and will complete a minor in art education at the undergraduate level.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Minor
Students interested in becoming PreK-12 English as a Second Language teachers typically earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences with a Major in English, linguistics, or a world language. While completing requirements for the baccalaureate degree, students are encouraged to earn a minor in English as a Second Language education.
Secondary Education Minor
Students interested in becoming secondary school teachers (Grades 6-12) in English or social sciences earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in the College of Arts and Sciences (e.g., English, history). While completing requirements for the baccalaureate degree, students are encouraged to complete a minor in secondary education. Students interested in becoming secondary school teachers in math and science will enroll in the VolsTeach minor.
Secondary Math and Science (VolsTeach) Minor
Students pursuing a Major in selected programs in the College of Arts and Sciences are eligible to participate in the University’s VolsTeach program, which permits students to simultaneously complete a Major in mathematics or science and receive secondary education teaching licensure in math and/or science within this 4-year undergraduate degree minor.
VolsTeach Math Minor
VolsTeach Science Minor
World Language Education Minor
Students interested in becoming PreK-12 World Language teachers can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences with a Major in a world language (e.g., French, German, Latin, Spanish) and a minor in World Language Education. While completing requirements for the baccalaureate degree, modern language students must matriculate a study abroad semester (minimum requirement) to be eligible for the Board of Admissions interview and admission to the Teacher Education Program.
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