MASTER OF EDUCATION (M.Ed.) Licensure

Candidates interested in the Licensure concentration are those who desire to become school principals.      

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program requires the applicant to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale.

Additional Admissions Requirements for Licensure Concentration

In addition to the requirements listed above, licensure applicants are required to submit a district recommendation form that provides evidence of the following (a) successful completion of an Educator Preparation Program, (b) a valid teacher’s license from Tennessee or a State other than Tennessee (c) a minimum of two years of qualifying education experience as defined by department, (d) demonstrated effectiveness as an educator in most recent two years as evidenced by a state-approved evaluation model or similar measures for educators employed in schools that do not use the state approved evaluation model, (e) disposition form , (f) three letters of recommendation on official employment letterhead; (g) an acceptable score on an interview conducted by a program admissions committee inclusive of LEA representation.

Each student must be interviewed by a committee of professional administrators prior to admission to the program. The admissions committee will review and evaluate the entire academic and professional record in making the admission decision. Each student must inform his or her advisor early in the program that Principal/Supervisor licensure is being sought. All candidates must complete and successful defend a required Action Research Project.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who do not meet the admissions criteria may submit a letter of appeal. The applicant may submit an appeal request form and must include the following: (a) an acceptable work record (resume or curriculum vita), (b) three written letters of recommendation indicating probable success in the program, and (c) completion of the appeals request form to be considered as a conditional student. The appeal’s documents must be submitted to the Department Chair. The department chair will provide a recommendation for approval. The Dean will make the final decision.

The student must remove conditional status in the first nine hours of graduate courses; failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.

All application materials must be submitted to the Graduate School by the deadlines below:

Transfer Credits

Candidates wishing to transfer credit(s) toward the M.Ed. program may transfer a maximum of twelve (12) relevant graduate credit hours from an accredited institution for courses that correspond to program/state requirements.  All courses must be reviewed and approved by your academic advisor and the department chair.

Program of Study

Major Field Core (15 Semester hours)

Concentration (18 Semester Hours)

Total degree requirement: 33 hours

*Please see your advisor before registering for courses. Programs of study may vary depending upon the individual’s date of admission.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Candidates for the M.Ed. degree must take a minimum of 33 hours of coursework, pass the comprehensive examinations, and pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA). The program of study must be completed after nine (9) hours of coursework. All candidates must meet with their advisor prior to registration each semester.  Courses must be taken in order as determined by program requirements. All students must complete a Comprehensive Examination Application by the due date published by the department each semester. All applications must be approved by your academic advisor. All examination dates can be located on the Graduate School Academic Calendar.

Important Resources

Graduate School

Tuition and Fees

Financial Aid

International Students

Apply for Graduate Assistantship

Student Handbook-M.Ed. Licensure

Study Guide – M.Ed. Instructional Leadership – Licensure (2025-2026)

For More Information

Kirmanj Gundi, Ed.D.
Office: F409 Avon Williams Off-Campus Instructional Site
Phone: (615) 963-2299
Email: Kigundi@tnstate.edu