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Admissions Requirements

According to state and national standards, different levels of assessment must occur throughout a program of study to inform candidates of their progress. MEd assessments begin with pre-entry admission assessment, continue throughout the program with quarterly course assessments and Stage 2 key assessments, and end with quarterly monitoring of cumulative grade point averages and individual course grades, prior to the Stage 3 clinical practice in student teaching. During clinical practice in student teaching, assessment of candidates continues to ensure that candidate performance positively impacts the learning of all students.

Pre-entry Graduate Applicant Assessment:

It is expected that all applicants will present a strong level of interest for becoming an exceptional beginning instructional teacher leader and demonstrate high capability for program success by satisfying pre-entry screening requirements that include the following:

  • complete a South College application
  • provide 2 official transcripts from each regionally accredited institution of higher education attended for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
  • provide a letter of intent that explains why a K-5 initial license is a personal goal
  • provide two completed recommendation forms from employers and/or professors who know your leadership potential
  • satisfy cumulative Bachelor’s degree GPA of 2.75 or 3.0 in the second half of undergraduate coursework
  • satisfy online course technology requirements
  • complete online program orientation
  • complete and submit a TBI Waiver
  • complete TBI Fingerprinting & Criminal History Records Check; results required in SOE Admissions office prior to first enrollment in education courses
  • attend the South College School of Education Orientation
  • complete course registration.

Graduate Admission Stage 1/Pre Stage 2 Assessment-Quarter One:

It is expected that all applicants will demonstrate high capability for program success by satisfying Quarter One Admission requirements that include the following:

  • provide evidence of liability insurance (e.g., STEA or P.E.T membership)
  • provide evidence of LiveText account
  • achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00
  • achieve a B, or better, for each course
  • provide a third recommendation form completed by a School of Education faculty member
  • successfully complete pre-Stage 2 Interview and required electronic portfolio artifacts

Upon the successful completion of all requirements for Pre-Entry Student (Stage 1), candidates will be recommended for entry into the Pre-Service Candidate (Stage 2).

Pre-Service Candidate (Stage 2) must complete the following requirements to be admitted to Pre-Service Clinical Practitioner (Stage 3) and before starting student teaching:

  • Pass the following Praxis Exams:
    • Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (Test Code 5001 or can be taken individually using codes 5002, 5003, 5004, 5005)
    • Teaching Reading: Elementary Education (Test Code 5203)
  • Completion of Stage 2 Portfolio and presentation
  • Grade of B or higher in all coursework
  • Maintain a G.P.A of 3.0 or higher

Upon the successful completion of Pre-Service Candidate (Stage 2) requirements, candidates will be recommended for Pre-Service Clinical Practitioner (Stage 3).

Once admitted to Pre-Service Candidate (Stage 3) candidates must complete the following requirements to graduate:

  • Create a TN Compass account
  • Successfully submit and obtained a passing score on edTPA
  • Completion of Stage 3 portfolio and presentation
  • Completion and presentation of Action Research Project
  • Completion and presentation of Professional Development Project

Applicants interested in the Master of Education in Elementary Education (K-5) Initial Licensure program should be aware that all courses in the curriculum are required and must be completed at South College. The Master of Education program does not grant transfer credits, experiential learning, or advanced placement from another institution’s program.

Candidates who complete the Master of Education in Elementary Education (K-5) Initial Licensure program of study and who have successful completion of Stages 1, 2, and 3, pass all required praxis test, and obtain a passing score on edTPA will be recommended to the TN Department of Education for the initial teaching license in Elementary Education K-5 by the Dean of the School of Education.

Pre-entry Graduate Applicant Assessment:
It is expected that all applicants will present a strong level of interest for becoming an exceptional beginning instructional teacher leader and demonstrate high capability for program success by satisfying pre-entry screening requirements that include the following:

• Complete a South College application;
• Provide official transcripts from each regionally accredited institution of higher education attended for Bachelor’s degree;
• Provide a letter of intent that explains why a K-5 initial license is a personal goal;
• Provide two completed recommendation forms from employers and/or professors who know your leadership potential;
• Provide score from GRE or MAT in the 50th percentile;
• Satisfy cumulative Bachelor’s degree GPA of 2.75 or 3.0 in the second half of undergraduate coursework;
• Satisfy online course technology requirements;
• Complete online program orientation;
• Complete and submit a TBI Waiver;
• Complete TBI Fingerprinting & Criminal History Records Check; results required in SOE office prior to first enrollment in education courses;
• Attend the South College Student Services Orientation; and
• Complete course registration.
• Complete Course registration with the Dean of the School of Education
• Provide evidence of liability insurance (STEA, P.E.T) and maintain membership throughout enrollment at South College.
• Evidence of LiveText account turned into the SOE.

Once these requirements are met, students will be scheduled and interview with the pre-service candidates. Upon completion of the interview and required portfolio items, and meeting the above requirements, the School of Education shall recommend the student for Stage 2 Pre-Service candidacy to the Teacher Education Committee. Upon committee approval, the student shall become a Stage 2 Pre-Service Candidate in the program.

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