Online Master’s Degree in Teacher Education (MSW)
College of Education, Health, & Human Sciences
Program Overview
Is your goal to earn a master of science degree in Teacher Education? The University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers an online master's degree program in Teacher Education, with a Practitioner Concentration that leads to a teaching license as well as an Education Studies Concentration for those not seeking teaching licensure.
These two Teacher Education concentrations are offered via fully remote coursework that's designed to meet the needs of online students. Whether you are enhancing your professional expertise or preparing to teach, you'll find a match for your Master of Science educational needs at UT's College of Education, Health & Human Sciences.
Credit Hours
30-38
Cost Per Credit Hour*
In-State $700 + fees
Out-of-State $775 + fees
Testing Requirements
No GRE
Admission Terms
Fall, Spring, Summer
*Cost per credit hour is an estimate based on maintenance and university fees. Some programs may have additional course fees. Please contact your department for additional information on any related fees, and visit Tuition and Fees in Detail at One Stop.
Earn Your Masters in the Field of Teacher Education
The (MS) in Teacher Education offers two concentrations to meet the educational needs or professionals advancing their careers in the field of teacher education.
The first one is an Educational Studies concentration with a specialization in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) with an optional endorsement in gifted education. The Educational Studies concentration does not lead to initial teacher licensure but, depending on the student’s program of study, may lead to an additional endorsement area for an already licensed teacher. It is for students seeking to enhance their professional knowledge and expertise, for those preparing to teach on the post-secondary level, or for those preparing for careers that do not require teacher licensure.
The second one is a Practitioner Concentration leads to licensure in high needs content areas, math education, science education, special education, world languages, and English as a second language. It is designed for students who are earning an initial teaching credential while serving as an instructor of record in a school. In areas of teacher shortage, state licensure requirements allow a partnership school system (or private school) to employ an individual as “instructor of record,” provided content/subject knowledge has been met, and the candidate has been admitted to an approved educator preparation program (EPP). The student would enter a graduate-level teacher EPP, while carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a first-year teacher, with school system and UT faculty as mentors, and has three years to complete licensure requirements. The Tennessee Department of Education’s Office of Educator Licensing will issue the license only at the recommendation of the approved educator preparation program.
The Practitioner concentration is designed for students who are earning an initial teaching credential while serving as an instructor of record in a school (i.e., as a “Job-Embedded Practitioner”). State licensure requirements allow a partnership school system (or private school) to employ an individual as “instructor of record,” provided content/subject knowledge has been met, and the candidate has been admitted to an approved educator preparation program (EPP). The student would enter a graduate-level teacher EPP, while carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a first-year teacher, with school system and UT faculty as mentors, and has three years to complete licensure requirements. The Tennessee Department of Education’s Office of Educator Licensing will issue the license only at the recommendation of the approved educator preparation program.
Featured Courses-Practitioner Concentration
In addition to credits in a specialization area, for those pursuing a Practitioner concentration, the following courses are required:
EDPY 501: Applied Educational Psychology
Application of concepts, principles, techniques, and models from educational psychology to facilitate student learning and creation of effective classroom environments.
EDUC 576: Practicum in Classroom Teaching
Teaching and teaching-related experiences in elementary and secondary school settings. Specific hours and school level assignment determined by licensure or certification requirements.
ETEC 586: Intro to Classroom Technology Applications
Classroom applications of technology to support information literacy and 21st century skills; designed to enable teachers to use and integrate a variety of technology tools into the K-12 curriculum. Includes the design and development of a classroom website, lesson activities that facilitate writing, collaboration, and communication through the design and development of a personal learning network, blogs, wikis, podcasts, digital stories, and mobile apps.
SPED 503: Special Education & Diverse Learners
Characteristics and needs of students with disabilities and diverse learners with an emphasis on educational implications. Techniques, strategies, and resources for teaching and assessing students with diverse learning, behavioral, medical, and/or socio-cultural characteristics, and the requirements of special education and other relevant laws.
Featured Courses-Education Studies Concentration
In addition to credits in a specialization area, for those pursuing an Education Studies concentration, the following or similar courses are required:
TPTE 517: Trends & Issues in Education
Examination of contemporary trends and issues in education.
EDPY 550: Applied Statistical Concepts
Consumer-oriented, conceptual treatment of statistics and quantitative basis of testing.
ETEC 587: Learning with Technology in the School & Community
Explores learning with educational technologies in school and the community. Will consider learning at home, through online and social-media-based contexts, and in public spaces. Will examine how practices related to communication, assessment, and learning can be modified or transformed through the use of educational technologies. Will also examine strategies and techniques for the effective integration of technologies into teaching.
EDPY 506: Introduction to Educational Research
An introduction to methods and procedures of quantitative and qualitative research, with an emphasis on acquiring skills necessary to analyze and critique scholarly literature and develop fundamental research plans.
Program Concentrations
The Teacher Education MS program offers two distinct concentrations:
Educational studies
Intended for already licensed teachers looking to enhance their expertise, or for those not needing a licensure for their careers.
Practitioner
Leads to initial licensure for teaching in high needs subject areas while serving as an instructor of record within the school system.
Program Specialization Areas
For both concentrations include:
American Sign Language (ASL) Education
Art Education
Elementary Education
English as a Second Language (ESL) Education
Mathematics Education
Middle Grades Mathematics Education (6-8)
Middle Grades Science Education (6-8)
Science Education
Social Science Education
Special Education
World Languages Education
