College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences

Cynthia H. West, Dean
237 Gooch Hall
731-881-7125
fax 731-881-7975

Mission

The College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences’ primary mission is to prepare our students to be well-informed citizens through engagement in public service, scholarship, and high-impact learning practices positively impacting our global community.

Organization

The College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences is composed of five departments: 1. Behavioral Sciences, which includes the Criminal Justice, Social Work and Sociology Programs; 2. Educational Studies; 3. Health and Human Performance; 4. Nursing, and 5. Psychology. The College is also home to the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies and the Educator Preparation Program with each servicing the University as a whole, as well as the College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences Graduate Program, which services all graduate programs within the college.

Degrees

Undergraduate courses of study are offered by the College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences leading to the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Education, Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Graduates of the degrees in Education and the Physical Education and Health and Wellness K-12 degrees in Health and Human Performance are eligible for teacher licensure in Tennessee and in other states that grant reciprocity in licensure to graduates of institutions accredited by CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) or that participate in the reciprocity agreement developed by NASDTEC (National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification).

The College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences also offers programs leading to the Master of Science degree in Education with majors in teaching, counseling and instructional leadership. Detailed information about these programs may be found in the graduate section of this catalog.

All teacher preparation programs are approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (1140 19th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036, telephone 202-223-0077).

The College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences is required to follow the directives of the State Department of Education, which has the authority to make changes in licensure standards. Students should keep in contact with the appropriate departments in order to keep abreast of these changes as they develop.

The Social Work program is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (1701 Duke Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314, telephone 703-683-8080).

The Department of Nursing offers a program leading to a bachelor of science in nursing degree. This degree program has full approval of the Tennessee Board of Nursing and full accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Graduates with the B.S.N. degree are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for licensure as registered professional nurses. For complete information about the B.S.N. degree, refer to the nursing departmental pages.

Majors and Teaching Licenses

Undergraduate majors and degrees are offered as follows:

Major	Degree
Criminal Justice	B.S.C.J.
Health and Human Performance	B.S.H.H.P.
Integrated Studies	B.S.Ed.
Nursing	B.S.N.
Psychology	B.A. or B.S.
Secondary Education (various concentrations)	B.S.Ed.
Sociology	B.A. or B.S.
Social Work	B.S.S.W.
Special Education	B.S.Ed.
Interdisciplinary Studies	B.I.S.

Students planning to teach vocational agriculture, or vocational or occupational family and consumer sciences should enroll and plan their programs through the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. See the Professional Education Option section in the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources or the Child, Family and Consumer Sciences and Education Concentration section in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. Students planning to teach music, art, or dance should enroll and plan their programs through the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. See the appropriate section in the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts or the Department of Music.

Students may qualify for a Tennessee teacher’s license with licensure in one or more areas by completing the appropriate program(s) outlined in this catalog.

Student Load

Full-time students may enroll for a maximum of 20 hours with adviser approval. Approval for enrollment in excess of this amount must be secured from the chair of the appropriate department and then the Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences in advance of formal registration. Students employed full-time are encouraged not to enroll for more than six semester hours credit per semester.

Correspondence Courses

Questions should be directed to the appropriate departmental chair before registering for correspondence courses. Decisions regarding approval will be made by the Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences.

Liability Insurance Coverage

Students in disciplines within the college including but not limited to nursing, social work, and teacher education while enrolled in courses and/or practica necessitating interaction with clientele in K-12 schools or other assigned settings must provide proof of liability insurance coverage to the college.

Office of Educator Preparation Program

Director, Donna Neblett, M.Ed.
205 Gooch Hall
731-881-7203
fax 731-881-7204

Mission

The mission of the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) at the University of Tennessee at Martin is to prepare educators in initial and advanced programs as facilitators of active learning for P-12 learners in diverse and inclusive communities. This mission encompasses excellence in a variety of learning and field placement settings, fosters an innovative and student-focused learning community through coursework that is rigorous and standards-based, and integrates evidence-based educational practices in teaching and learning.

Vision

The vision of the Educator Preparation Program at the University of Tennessee at Martin is to prepare highly competent and socially responsible educators who are knowledgeable, ethical, and caring decision-makers for a diverse and changing world. This vision includes fostering community partnerships as well as creating a culture of learning that will advance knowledge, value diversity, and promote social justice.

UT Martin’s Educator Preparation Program is approved by the Tennessee State Board and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Admission Requirements for the Educator Preparation Program

Students must have an ACT score of 22 or higher. If a student’s highest composite ACT score is 21, please see the appeals process below.
Students must establish and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75.
Students must demonstrate an acceptable level of written and oral communication skills during an interview process and prepare a one-page document for the interview stating Why I Want to be a Teacher.
Students must submit to and successfully pass a criminal background check and sign the release form.
- Students with an ACT below 22 must first take the residual or national ACT.
- If the student is unable to score a 22 or higher on the ACT, he or she must take the Praxis Core exam and pass all three parts (reading, math, writing) to enter the program.

Appeal Process

If a student has a GPA of 2.75 or higher and an ACT score of 21:

Students should retake the ACT (either residual or national test) to demonstrate an attempt to achieve a score of 22 or higher. Achieving an ACT score of 22 or higher with all other requirements met will allow a student to be admitted to the EPP.
If a student’s highest ACT composite score remains at 21 after retaking the ACT, the student will qualify for the Appeal process for admission to the EPP. The Appeals Committee will consider grades from education coursework taken before entrance to the EPP related to the student’s program area, attendance, disposition, and any other stipulation applicable to individual students. Once all other admission requirements are met, the student will be fully accepted into the EPP.

If a student has an ACT score of 22 or higher but does not meet the GPA requirement of 2.75 or higher:

Students should first attempt to retake any courses with poor grades in an attempt to raise their cumulative GPA.
Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.72 and 2.74 may submit an appeal application. If the appeal is accepted, the student will be on probation for one semester. If after one semester, the student is unable to reach a 2.75 cumulative GPA, the student will not be allowed to take any classes requiring admission to the EPP until the cumulative GPA of 2.75 is obtained.

Components of the appeal:

Complete an appeal form.
Submit a comprehensive letter of recommendation from a faculty member with whom you, the student, have had as an instructor and is able to speak to both your academic and disposition skills.
Provide a criminal background check including a criminal background release form.
Demonstrate an acceptable level of written and oral communication skills during an interview process. (Prepare a one-page document for the interview stating Why I Want to be a Teacher.)
Submit to and successfully pass a criminal background check and sign the release form.
Present this information to the Director of the EPP to be distributed to the Appeals Committee for a decision.

If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.75 after acceptance into the program:

Students will be contacted by the Director of the EPP and placed on probation for one semester.
If after one semester the student is unable to obtain a 2.75 cumulative GPA, the student will be required to drop any courses requiring admission to the EPP and will not be permitted to take coursework requiring EPP admission until the 2.75 cumulative GPA has been achieved.

The Appeals Committee will consist of one faculty member representing Health and Human Performance, one from Applied Sciences, one from Fine and Performing Arts, and two from Educational Studies (5 total). The committee will select a chair from this group. These members will rotate off every three years if possible. The Director of the EPP will serve as an exofficio member to coordinate the work.

Admission to Student Teaching Residency will be granted if students:
Note: Student Teaching Application Request for Placement form must be submitted to the Office of Educator Preparation Program by the final day of the adjustment period for adding a class. This should be filed one semester prior to the intended semester for the student teaching experience.

are admitted to Educator Preparation Program (EPP).
complete the appropriate application one semester in advance of the Student Teaching Semester.
have a cumulative 2.75 GPA on all courses taken.
have a 2.75 GPA in teaching specialty area.
complete a minimum of 80% of course work in the endorsement area(s) including all methods courses.
pass all Praxis exams required for licensure in declared major.*
complete all courses requiring admission to the Educator Preparation Program with a C or higher. A student earning a D or an F in a course requiring admission to the Educator Preparation Program must retake the course prior to student teaching.

*The State Department of Education establishes passing scores for the CORE, Praxis II Subject Assessments, and Principles of Learning and Teaching exams. The scores are subject to change each year. In order to obtain the current passing scores when tests are taken, check with the Office of Educator Preparation Program located in 205 Gooch Hall.

Requirements for Recommendation for Licensure

Tennessee state regulations stipulate that the applicant for a teaching license must be recommended by the Educator Preparation institution. To receive this recommendation, the applicant must have fulfilled the following requirements:

minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.
minimum grade point average of 2.75 in student teaching.
minimum grade point average of 2.75 in each teaching field.
pass the edTPA assessment.
pass the appropriate Praxis Series Specialty Area Exam(s) if a minimum score is required.
complete an approved program that conforms to the above 2.75 grade point guidelines.
complete an application for a teacher’s license. Request for a teacher’s license must be made within five years after degree requirements have been met; otherwise, an additional nine semester hours in residence credit must be earned.

Praxis Series Examinations

The Praxis Series is a prerequisite mandated by the Tennessee State Department of Education for the professional teacher’s license.

The Praxis is given on campus in accordance with the schedule established by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey, for nationwide administration of the test. Students must register for exams online at www.ets.org. In addition to the Praxis, candidates must take and pass the edTPA assessment to meet licensure.

During the 2016-2017 academic year, 99% of the UT Martin students completing the Educator Preparation Training Program passed the Praxis II exam(s) required for licensure.

edTPA

As of January 1, 2019, initial license applications in the State of Tennessee are required to submit qualifying scores on the appropriate edTPA performance, subject-based, subject-specific assessment.

Prior to January 1, 2019, licensure candidates submitted a qualifying score on either the relevant Principles of Learning and Teaching Assessment (PLT) or the edTPA.

Candidates completing job-embedded clinical practice must submit the qualifying score before renewing or advancing the teaching license.

Out-of-state applicants who do not hold a professional level license in a state other than Tennessee must submit qualifying scores on an approved pedagogical assessment. The edTPA may meet this requirement.

Specialty Area/Major Field Test/Departmental Exit Exam

Students may fulfill the university’s major field test requirement by taking the Praxis test for his/her major that has been identified by his/her department. The specialty area test(s) required for teacher licensure majors are in accordance with state-mandated requirements. These codes are identified by the State Department of Education Office of Teacher Licensing. A list of required tests by major, which meet Exit Exam and licensing requirements, is available in the Office of Educator Preparation Program, 205 Gooch Hall. Exit exams for non-licensure majors in Integrated Studies and Special Education are the same as those identified for licensure-seeking majors in those areas.

Multiple test requirements: Please note the state requires multiple specialty area tests for many areas of licensure. Students should give careful attention to the available test dates for all necessary licensure exams. Refer to the Praxis website (www.ets.org) for available test dates, times, and locations. Testing requirements for all majors are posted on the Office of the Educator Preparation Program website at www.utm.edu/departments/ess/praxis.php. Students must register for exams online at www.ets.org.