Lesley Degree and Certificate Programs
ONLINE PROGRAMS
Certificate Programs
Autism
Emergent Technologies
Internet & Society
Mathematics Education
Online Teaching
Science in Education
Special Education
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Master Degree Programs
Effective Teaching, M.Ed.
Individually Designed Program for Educators, M.Ed.
Mathematics Education, M.Ed.
Science in Education, M.Ed.
Educational Technology, M.Ed.
LOW RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
Ph.D. in Educational Studies with Specialization in Adult Learning
Ph.D. in Educational Studies with Specialization in Educational Leadership
M.S. in Ecological Teaching and Learning
TEACHER CERTIFICATION FOR EDUCATORS in TENNESSEE
Adding a Degree to a Tennessee Teaching License
An individual who holds an additional degree from a regionally accredited college/university shall be granted the degree for salary purposes if the courses taken are functionally related to the area(s) of endorsement on the teaching license held by the individual or if the degree indicates by the nature of the courses that public education was the primary aim.
The Masters +30 hours must be graduate courses taken through a regionally accredited college/university that can be applied toward a graduate degree (i.e. either core courses or electives). An additional graduate degree is not required, but the graduate course work taken must be applicable to a graduate degree. Graduate professional development courses cannot be used as part of the +30 hours. The graduate courses must also be courses taken beyond the requirements for the Masters degree that the applicant already holds.
Adding an Endorsement to a Tennessee Teaching License
Currently there are three different ways to add endorsements to a current, valid Tennessee teaching license. (i.e. Apprentice Teacher, Out of State Teacher, or Professional Teacher licenses):
- College/University Recommendation for Endorsement: Applicants seeking additional endorsement(s) through approved college/university programs must also pass all applicable portions of the Praxis Series Exams developed and administered by Educational Testing Service. (Click to look at a completed listing of Praxis Series Exams required in Tennessee). Upon completion of all additional endorsement program requirements, the Dean of Education and Certification Officer of the college/university shall send a recommendation to the Tennessee Office of Teacher Licensing for issuance of the additional endorsement(s).
- Secondary Academic Endorsement by Tests Only (Does not include any Occupational Education endorsements): Applicants who hold a current, valid Tennessee Teacher license with one or more secondary academic endorsement area(s) (i.e. the endorsement contains one or more of the secondary grades 7-12) can add another secondary endorsement by passing the required Praxis specialty area test(s). Applicants seeking additional endorsement(s) by test only must pass all applicable portions of the Praxis Series Exams developed and administered by Educational Testing Service. NOTE: Applicants seeking to add a secondary endorsement by passing required Praxis specialty area tests do not need to obtain the recommendation from an institution. The Library Information Specialist and Reading Specialist endorsements require completion of an approved graduate level program and the applicable praxis exam. Applicants seeking additional endorsement(s) that are not secondary areas must complete an approved additional endorsement program through a college/university and pass all applicable portions of the Praxis Series Exams developed and administered by Educational Testing Service. Upon completion of all requirements, the Dean of Education and Certification Officer of the college/university shall send a recommendation to the Tennessee Office of Teacher Licensing for issuance of the additional endorsement(s).
- State Minimum Requirements Endorsements: There are some areas of endorsement, which may only be obtained by meeting state minimum requirements. Some of these areas are only available as additional endorsements to an existing teacher license. Others require prerequisites such as certain degrees and experience. These areas and requirements are: Bible, Driver Education, School Food Service Supervisor, Superintendent, and Supervisor of Attendance.
View a complete listing of endorsement codes for Tennessee certificates.
Authorization and Educator Licensure in Tennessee
Authorization: Lesley University is not required to seek authorization to operate in Tennessee based on Lesley's current activity within this state, as determined by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
Educator Licensure: Higher education authorization and teacher licensure approval are separate entities. For more information on teacher licensure, visit the
Tennessee Department of Education.
Faculty Spotlight
Aziza Braithwaite Bey
Associate Professor
Read Bio »