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Master of Science in Teacher Education

Elementary Education Professional Internship Concentration (Post-Baccalaureate)

The MS in Teacher Education, Elementary Education Professional Internship Concentration prepares candidates to teach elementary students in grades K-5. Candidates are prepared to work in diverse settings to effectively meet the individual learning needs of their students. Candidates earn a BS degree in elementary education and continue to complete the Professional Year consisting of graduate coursework and a yearlong internship that leads to a master’s degree and teacher licensure.

Undergraduates – Apply here

Post-Baccalaureates – Apply here

MS in Teacher Education, Elementary Education Professional Internship Concentration Credit Hours
Required Courses  
TPTE 574 3
TPTE 575 12
TPTE 591 3
Concentration: Elementary Education courses
MEDU 530, REED 530, SCED 531, and SSCE 521 12
Electives

Dual Licensure Coursework (Special Education, English as a Second Language, Middle Grades Math or Middle Grades Science) OR educational electives chosen from historical, philosophical, or social foundations; educational technology; reading education; language arts education; science education; social science education; elementary education; or issues in teacher education

6
For Thesis Option:
TPTE 500 and successful defense of the thesis
For Course only with Examination Option:
Successful completion of a comprehensive exam with a grade of Pass is required

Amy Broemmel, associate professor and elementary education team co-lead

Jennifer Jordan, clinical associate professor and elementary education team co-lead

Kristin Rearden, clinical professor and STEM education team co-lead

Amanda Rigell, clinical assistant professor, elementary education

The Elementary Education programs are aligned to the national standards provided by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC), as well as to the State of Tennessee Educator Preparation Provider Literacy Standards.

Students completing the MS in Teacher Education, Elementary Education Professional Internship Concentration have two options:

Thesis:  42 graduate credit hours for the Thesis Option, including TPTE 500 (6 credit hours)

Non-Thesis:  36 graduate credit hours for the Course Only with Comprehensive Exam Option

Gabi Loveday
Kayla Murphy

Gabi Loveday

Why did you choose to pursue your Master’s in Elementary Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT)?

Coming from a family of educators, I have always had an interest in teaching at the elementary level, and pursuing a degree in elementary education was a natural career choice for me.

When choosing a university and program, UT stuck out because of the option to pursue a Master’s degree as part of a five year course of study connected to the undergraduate program. The Theory and Practice in Teacher Education (TPTE) program at UT has a reputation for offering high-quality instruction to prepare preservice teachers, and I was excited about the unique opportunity to participate in a year-long internship as well. I felt that this experience would best prepare me to be a teacher, and would make me more knowledgeable and marketable within my field.

How did the course of study in elementary education at UT support you in your current role?

The elementary education coursework at UT has prepared me for my role as an educator by offering a variety of classes that provided training in teaching for each content area, as well as training in educational psychology, special education, English as a second language, and educational technology. Through this coursework, I learned how to work with many diverse groups of learners, as well as how to support all students academically, socially, and behaviorally. These courses, along with my year-long internship experience in a real classroom setting, have provided me valuable opportunities to both learn about ‘best practices’ in elementary education, as well as see them in action and personally implement them in an authentic way.

Why should others consider applying for the master’s elementary education program at UT?

While the Master’s program at UT is rigorous, I appreciated being challenged to push the boundaries of what I thought I knew about teaching, and having the chance to explore and apply my knowledge in a real, authentic way through my internship. The professors in the program were extremely passionate about what they taught, and incredibly knowledgeable and willing to share advice or provide feedback at any time. As a program, I feel like everyone was very up-to-date with current educational research and news, and reflected that as they continued to adapt what we were taught and provide explanation of the evolving theory and practice. I am thankful for the high-standards that the program set for pre-service teachers, and I think that the professional experiences gained from pursuing a Master’s will better prepare future teachers to provide the highest-quality and most meaningful education to all students.

Kayla Murphy

Why did you choose to pursue your Master’s in Elementary Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT)?

My dream in my life was to become an elementary education teacher. As I grew closer to choosing a school for my education, I began looking at different programs. The education program at UT had a good reputation and I knew that the program also had a year-long student teaching, which drew me to this program. I knew this would be helpful to pursue my dream of working in elementary education. I am pleased that I pursued and completed my masters in elementary education through UT.

How did the course of study in elementary education at the UT support you in your current role?

The courses for elementary education have prepared me for a role as a teacher through the numerous classes that taught how to teach reading, math, science, or social studies lessons. There were various assignments that taught me how to be able to go above and beyond expectations in the classroom. These classes increased my knowledge of education and provided new ideas and ways to be able to teach students. The year-long internship has prepared me with how to teach in the classroom, classroom behavior, as well as the behind the scenes of the classroom. The understanding I gained through the master’s program has allowed me to become better prepared for my role as a teacher.

Why should others consider applying for the master’s elementary education program at UT?

The master’s elementary education program at UT is different than others because it provides the real classroom experience throughout the entire school year. The classes for the master’s program are applicable to the classroom with the discussions and resources provided throughout each course.  The instructors are relatable, approachable, professional, and value collaboration in the classroom throughout the master’s program. The classmates I met throughout the program have become a lifelong support system. These classmates have become the encouragement as well as collaborative partners for preparing me for my classroom one day. The classes taken and time invested throughout this program were impactful and meaningful for understanding and being prepared for elementary education.

If you have questions about the program or the course of study, please contact:

Jennifer Jordan, clinical associate professor and instructional co-lead

Email: jjorda15@utk.edu