Alternative Teaching License in Tennessee

<h2 id="section---RequirementsForObtainingAnAlternativeTennesseeTeachingLicense">Requirements for Obtaining an Alternative Tennessee Teaching License</h2> <p>Alternative teacher licensing programs prepare aspiring teachers for the classroom experience. One benefit of a transitional teaching license is that it allows college graduates to teach in schools that do not have a sufficient number of licensed teachers. College graduates who have received job offers in Tennessee may be eligible to receive a transitional teaching license if they have not yet completed all of the professional requirements to teach. For those who are interested in pursuing an alternative route to teacher licensure in Tennessee, it is important to know what steps to take. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> Education/Experience Required </td><td> Bachelor's degree in the subject area you would like to teach; <br />24 semester hours completed in the subject you are interested in teaching*</td></tr> <tr><td> Exam Requirements </td><td> Passing scores in the required subject on the Praxis II exam*</td></tr> <tr><td> License Validity Period </td><td> License valid for one year; can be renewed for up to two additional years*</td></tr> <tr><td>CEU Credits Required for Renewal </td><td> 60 Professional Development Points (PDPs) for renewal;<br /> 1 continuing education unit (CEU) = 5 PDPs; <br /> 1 clock hour = 1 PDP</td></tr> <tr><td>Mean Salary (2018)</td><td>$52,610 (elementary school); <br />$52,260 (middle school); <br />$53,620 (secondary school)**</td></tr> <tr><td>Estimated Job Growth (2014-2024, nationwide)</td><td>6% (elementary school); 6% (middle school); 6% (secondary school)**</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *Tennessee State Board of Education Licensure</i> </p> <p><i>Source: **Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i> </p> <h3 id="section---EducationAndTrainingRequirements">Education and Training Requirements</h3> <p>In addition to your Bachelor's degree, you must also complete an approved educator program, in some cases, this can be completed alongside your degree. </p> <p>For those who would like to pursue a teaching license after receiving their Bachelor's degree in a field other than education, options are available. Rather than completing all of your teaching requirements prior to beginning to teach, a transitional teaching license allows you the convenience of fulfilling your educational requirements while teaching, so it helps you to maximize your time. One of the following requirements is necessary to receive your transitional teaching license. They are as follows: </p> <p>1. A Bachelor's degree in the subject area you would like to teach </p> <p>2. 24 semester hours completed in the subject you are interested in teaching </p> <h3 id="section---TransitionToTeaching">Transition to Teaching</h3> <p>This is an option for those who have degrees in foreign language, mathematics, or science. In order to request a transitional license, it is necessary to already have received a pending job offer at an approved Tennessee school. The advantage to this type of certification is that the applicant's academic history and experience allow for certification to be completed in a shorter time frame. </p> <h3 id="section---TroopsToTeachers">Troops to Teachers</h3> <p>Another option, for those who have served in the military, is a federally funded program called Troops to Teachers. It offers stipends for eligible members to transition into the classroom from the military in schools where there is a great need. Those pursuing a teaching degree are eligible to receive a $5,000 stipend, while those who make a three-year commitment to teach in a school with a high percentage of low income students are eligible to receive $10,000. </p> <h3 id="section---ExamRequirements">Exam Requirements</h3> <p>Prospective teachers must pass the required subject on the Praxis II exam, with a score of 157-160, depending on the area of certification. Assessments offered include Core Academic skills tests in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. </p> <h3 id="section---RenewalRequirements">Renewal Requirements</h3> <p>The transitional license is valid for one year, but it can be renewed for a maximum of two additional years. During this time, the license and testing requirements for a full teaching license can be completed. A pending job offer at a Tennessee school is required before receiving a transitional license. Degrees other than teaching degrees are acceptable when pursuing this license if they are in the field of math, science, or foreign language.</p>