Bachelor of Science in Indisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education (K-5)
*in partnership with the College of Liberal Arts

 Majoring in Elementary Education?

 elementary children

The B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education (K-5)  offers candidates the opportunity to prepare for a license to teach in Kindergarten through fifth grade. This means that the Tennessee Department of Education certifies that the individual is qualified to teach at those levels and thus is eligible to be hired by public school systems in the state. An endorsement for a given grade level means that the student is especially well prepared for those grades, but is also eligible to teach at whatever level the license includes.

This degree program is an interdisciplinary in that the first two years of coursework are offered through the College of Liberal Arts, while the professional education courses are delivered within the College of Education -- specifically, the Department of Teaching and Learning. Candidates admitted to the teacher education program join a cohort-model to support their professional development as emerging educators.

Degree Requirements:

  • accumulation of 120-credit hours and minimum 2.00 GPA, including...
  • the general education core
  • 26 credit hours of content and knowledge courses
  • 37 credit hours of professional education courses
  • 12 hours (one full semester) of residency/student teaching, included in the professional education hours
  • completion of the Senior Exit Exam

Eligibility for admission to the teacher certification program:

  • Admission Application (Signed by Advisor)
  • Minimum GPA - 2.75 Cum
  • Pass CORE Academic Skills of Educators, or ACT, or SAT   (only 1 of the three test is required)
    • ACT  score of 21 (Reading, Writing & Math) (effective 1/14/2019)
    • SAT - score of 1020 (Reading & Mathematics)
    • CORE Academic Skills for Educators scores  Reading - 5712 (156), Writing 5722 (162), and Math (5732 (150)
  • Clear TBI/FBI Security Clearance, Waiver, and Privacy Act Forms Submitted $35.15 student cost
  • Completed at least 31 semester hours of coursework, including:
    (ENGL 1010, ENGL 1020, PSY 2420 (Early Childhood concentration take ECFS 2010), EDCI 2010, plus appropriate sequence of freshman math and science)
  • Two positive recommendations from your content area professional educator/professor
  • Program of Study / 4 yr Plan which indicates all course completion grades (Signed by Advisor)
  •  *TSU unofficial transcript

*Note: If the applicant has attended other Schools/Universities please request an Official Copy of Transcript (with GPA) to be sent directly to TESS Department. Students must also complete a written application through the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services before being formally admitted to the program, usually during the sophomore year.

Degree Map Elementary Education

For More Information

Dr. Beth Christian

Dr. Beth Christian, Interim
203 Clay Hall
Phone:  (615) 963-7781
Email:bchristian1@tnstate.edu   

 





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