Why study Education at MC?

Maryville College has a long and proud tradition of preparing teachers who demonstrate and promote excellence in teaching and learning. If you are considering a professional career in teaching, we offer eleven areas of licensure. Our program prepares new teachers for the demands of the 21st-century classroom through extensive field-based experiences, essential coursework in the teaching area supported by professional education courses, and project-based learning designed in partnership with local school administrators and teachers.

While each major track is housed within the corresponding discipline of study (ex: History for Teacher Licensure is a major in the Division of Humanities), the Division of Education coordinates the teacher licensure screening process, field experiences, instruction in the Professional Education courses, and supervision of student teachers. Learn more about our Education Preparation Program (EPP).

**If you already hold an undergraduate degree and want to teach, we offer post-baccalaureate options for all areas of licensure. Post-bacc programs are individualized programs of study and are impacted by previous coursework completion. Please contact our office for more information.

 

Do you want to teach in grades K-5?

Candidates in the Elementary Education Major are prepared to become highly qualified teachers for grades Kindergarten through Grade  (K-5) following collaborative, supportive, and stimulating learning experiences.  The Elementary Education major embeds the broad study of the liberal arts, content coursework, and professional licensure coursework into the 120-credit bachelor’s degree.     

The Elementary Education Major is supported by early field experiences that play a critical role in preparing candidates for their careers. All candidates develop a strong understanding of child development, the processes of learning and teaching, and the skills to design, implement, and assess instruction for diverse student populations. The program culminates in a semester-long student teaching experience.  

Grounded in a commitment to personal and professional growth, students gain skills to solve the many theoretical, practical, and ethical problems associated with what to teach and how to teach, as well as the ability to effectively integrate technology into the instructional process.

View/Download K-5 Overview 

Do you want to teach in grades 6-12?

We offer several areas of licensure for those interested in teaching at the high school level. Each program prepares students for the demands of teaching a specific content area. Students completing a program of study for teaching in the secondary grades 6-12 develop expertise and understanding of a specific content area. The professional education component of this program focuses on those skills and competencies critical to the success of a new teacher (lesson design, classroom management, assessment, teaching pedagogy…).

View/Download Overview 

Do you want to teach in grades PK/K-12?

We offer several areas of licensure for those interested in teaching special topics designed for all grade levels. Each program prepares students for the demands of teaching a specific content area. Students completing a program of study for teaching in the grades PK/K-12 develop expertise and understanding of a specific content area. The professional education component of this program focuses on those skills and competencies critical to the success of a new teacher (lesson design, classroom management, assessment, teaching pedagogy…).

View/Download Overview 

Educator Preparation Program Admission

Candidates seeking a degree with teacher licensure must be enrolled at Maryville College before applying for initial entry into the Educator Preparation Program (EPP).  Candidates should work closely with their advisor(s) to follow the recommended 4 Year Plan leading to initial licensure.  However, it is the candidate’s responsibility to meet all requirements and specified deadlines. 

Initial entry into the EPP may occur as early as the second semester of the first year and should be no later than the second semester of the sophomore year.   Minimum requirements for initial entry are: 

  1. Be enrolled at Maryville College. 
  2. Qualifying scores on one of the following (while MC is a test optional institution, this is a requirement of the TN State Board of Education for entry into a teacher education program):
    1. ACT score of 21 or higher; or 
    2. SAT score of 1080 or higher; or 
    3. Passing scores on all three subtests of Praxis Core (reading, writing, and math). 
  3. Overall GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale. 
  4. Clear and current Background Check
  5. “At Target” professional dispositions (evaluated in EDU 199, EDU 201, and/or EDU 301). 
  6. Successful completion of a Screening Interview and recommendation of the interview team. 

Meet a Current Scot

Current Scot Meredith Wynn

Meredith Wynn

Hometown: Maryville, Tennessee

Growing up in East Tennessee, Meredith had heard high praise for Maryville College and its education department. Since enrolling, Meredith, who is pursuing Theatre with Licensure, has found that praise to be well-founded. “With the wide variety of leadership opportunities provided by many majors at Maryville, education students can get a significant amount of hands-on experience in what their careers will actually look like,” she said.


Meredith recently attended the Southeastern Theatre Conference, where she learned about secondary school budgeting and ways to engage students. She also interviewed for several jobs involving teaching theatre. That knowledge, she said, helped her have “a real-world understanding of what would be expected of me as a teacher.”

 

Meet a Recent Grad

Photo of alumnus Carder Sprous who graduated with a degree in History with Teacher Licensure.

Carder Sprous ’24

Currently: Teaching 7th Grade Social Studies at South Doyle Middle School in Knoxville, Tennessee

Carder came to MC as a Religion major but felt a call towards education and so changed his major to History with Licensure in the educator preparation track. Originally from Massachusetts, Carder has made his home in East Tennessee, saying “it is an honor to teach the children of East Tennessee and help them grow each day.”


Crediting his professors and his student teaching experience for giving him a wealth of knowledge and practical experiences before stepping foot in his own classroom, Carder said, “without Maryville College, I would not be making the true impact I am now in the local Knoxville community.” His career plans are to continue teaching and positively impacting his students and the community he serves

 

Chair, Division of Education, Professor of Education
Dr. Cynthia Gardner
Chair, Division of Education, Professor of Education
More Info
Professor Emerita
Dr. Rebecca Lucas
Professor Emerita
Professor of Elementary Education
Dr. Alesia Orren
Professor of Elementary Education
More Info
Lecturer in Education
Dr. Samantha Astor
Lecturer in Education
More Info
Lecturer in Education, edTPA Coordinator, EPP Partnership Director
Tracy Wulf
Lecturer in Education, edTPA Coordinator, EPP Partnership Director
More Info

A degree in education opens up a variety of teaching and non-teaching careers.

Teaching: Kindergarten and Elementary Teacher; Middle School Teacher; High School Teacher; Postsecondary teacher; Education Administrator, Adult Literacy Teacher, Instructional Coordinator

Non-Teaching: Writer or Editor; Curriculum Designer, Test Developer, Educational Nonprofit Employee,

Teacher Licensure Web Resources:

The Maryville College faculty and administration believe that the teacher education program should provide students with the skills, dispositions, and knowledge needed to be successful first-year teachers. Our coordinated efforts are dedicated to provide a teacher education program that will develop teachers who demonstrate:

  • The influence of a broad liberal arts education;
  • An understanding of the learning process, and the skills to design instruction appropriate for diverse student populations;
  • The skills needed to analyze and implement the instructional process;
  • The ability to solve the many theoretical, practical, and ethical problems associated with who to teach, what to teach, and how to teach;
  • The ability to effectively integrate technology into the instructional process;
  • A thorough, comprehensive understanding of the assessment process as it relates to student learning and professional development;
  • A commitment to personal and professional growth.

 

The Elementary Education Bachelor of Arts degree for K-5 Licensure is designed for students who plan to teach in the elementary grades and consists of 79 total credit hours. Students are immersed in the liberal arts content while completing professional courses.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

BIO 111: Fulfills the Scientific Reasoning – Life Science Core Domain for this major.

ENG 212: Fulfills the Literary Studies Core Domain for this major.

PSY 101: Introductory Psychology (3 hrs)
BIO 111: Fundamentals of Biology (4 hrs)
ENG 212: Children's Literature (3 hrs)

One of the following:

PSY 211: Child Development (3 hrs)
PSY 218: Adolescent Development (3 hrs)

One of the following:

HIS 131 and HIS 132: Fulfills the Historical Reasoning Core Domain for this major.

HIS 131: Early American History: 1492-1865 (3 hrs)
HIS 132: Modern American History: 1865-Present (3 hrs)

One of the following:

HIS 242: World Civilization from Earliest Times to 1500 C.E (3 hrs)
HIS 243: Modern World History: 1500-Present (3 hrs)

Educator Preparation Courses

EDU 312: Fulfills the U.S. Pluralism Core Domain for this major.

EDU 199: Contemporary & Professional Issues (3 hrs)
EDU 200: Field Experience I (1 hrs)
EDU 201: Models of Classroom Instruction (3 hrs)
EDU 202: Educational Technology (3 hrs)
EDU 211: Methods for Teaching Earth and Life Science (2 hrs)
EDU 221: Introduction to Exceptional Learners (3 hrs)
EDU 305: Strategies for Classroom Management (2 hrs)
EDU 312: Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners (3 hrs)
EDU 321: Disciplinary Literacy Methods (3 hrs)
EDU 323: Reading & Writing K-5 (4 hrs)
EDU 324: Instructional Methods of Teaching Science (3 hrs)
EDU 325: Instructional Methods in Teaching Social Studies (3 hrs)
EDU 351: Senior Study I (3 hrs)
EDU 352: Senior Study II: Professional Seminar (3 hrs)
EDU 375: Field Experience II (1 hrs)
EDU 376: Field Experience III (2 hrs)
EDU 400: Clinical Experience I (2 hrs)
EDU 401: Clinical Experience II (3-10 hrs)
EDU 411: Educational Assessment & Evaluation (3 hrs)
MTH 309: Math Content & Instructional Methods (3 hrs)
This minor is designed for those who desire to work with children, youth, and/or other groups in settings other than a traditional classroom. The minor in Educational Studies requires the completion of 18-19 hours of coursework. This minor is not open to Elementary Education majors or any other Licensure majors. Psychology majors and minors may only count a maximum of 6 credit hours in Psychology toward this minor.

Required coursework includes:

 

Minor and Minor-Related Courses

EDU 300: Field Experience (1 hrs)
EDU 301: Models of Classroom Management & Instruction (3 hrs)
PSY 101: Introductory Psychology (3 hrs)

Choose one of the following

PSY 211: Child Development (3 hrs)
PSY 218: Adolescent Development (3 hrs)
PSY 222: Adult Development and Aging (3 hrs)

Choose one course that addresses learning for various populations

EDU 221: Introduction to Exceptional Learners (3 hrs)
EDU 312: Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners (3 hrs)
PHR 235: Group Facilitation (3 hrs)
PHR 321: Physical Education and Recreation for Special Populations (3 hrs)
PSY 232: Child Trauma and Resilience (3 hrs)
PSY 324: Child Poverty and Inequality (3 hrs)

Choose two electives in a focused area of interest

(5-6 credit hours)

ASL 107: History and Culture of the American Deaf Community (3 hrs)
BUS 201: Principles of Management (3 hrs)
EDU 211: Methods for Teaching Earth and Life Science (2 hrs)
EDU 321: Disciplinary Literacy Methods (3 hrs)
ENG 214: Creative Writing: Fiction (3 hrs)
HIS 248: Appalachian Cultural and Social History (3 hrs)
OST 215: Natural Environments and Health (3 hrs)
PHR 231: Motor Development and Motor Learning (3 hrs)
PHR 331: Physical Education for Children (3 hrs)
SLS 203: Introduction to Nonprofit Management (3 hrs)

*Some of these courses have pre-or co-requisites. Consult with your advisor prior to enrolling.

Post-Bacc

The Post-Baccalaureate program consists of a core of professional courses (approximately 36 credit hours; may require additional hours depending on major) that include one full semester of student teaching. Admission to the post-baccalaureate program requires the following:

  1. Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited 4-year IHE in the same (or similar) content to the specialty area;
  2. Minimum overall GPA of 2.75 from a completed baccalaureate or post- baccalaureate degree program or a GPA of 3.00 in the most recent sixty hours earned at a regionally accredited IHE;
  3. Qualifying score(s) on the required content assessment as defined in the State Board’s Assessments for Tennessee Educators Policy; and
  4. Successful completion of Level I screening.
Maryville College offers a Post-Baccalaureate Program for educator preparation in the following areas:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Elementary Education
  • English
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Vocal General Music
  • Instrumental General Music
  • Physical Education/Health
  • Spanish
  • Teaching English as a Second Language
  • Theatre Studies
Additional courses may be required for the Post-Baccalaureate in Elementary Education, English, and Music and for other majors upon review of transcripts.
Required courses are:
EDU 202: Educational Technology (3)
EDU 299: Contemporary and Professional Issues in Education (1)
EDU 300: Field Experience I (1)
EDU 301: Models of Classroom Management and Instruction (3)
EDU 312: Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners (3)
EDU 321: Disciplinary Literacy Methods (3)
EDU 333: Applied Pedagogy (3)
EDU 351-352: Senior Study & Professional Seminar (6)
EDU 403: Clinical Practice for PK12/Secondary (10)
EDU 411: Educational Assessment and Evaluation (3)

Following the guidelines provided by the Tennessee State Department of Education, teacher candidates may complete an additional endorsement while completing their initial teacher licensure.  Specific endorsement requirements are available from faculty advisors in the Educator Preparation Program and specific content disciplines.  Teacher candidates are encouraged to review endorsement requirements in the Educator Licensure & Preparation Operating Procedures document provided by the TN State Department of Education.

<!–

Additional Endorsements: Maryville College offers additional endorsements in the following licen­sure areas: Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Elementary Education, English, History, Mathematics, Geography, Government, Spanish and Theatre Studies. Maryville College bac­calaureate students may complete an additional endorsement according to the following guidelines while completing their initial licensure:

  1.       Each candidate (with the exceptions noted in 2, 3, and 4) must complete a minor in the endorse­ment area as part of an individualized educational plan developed by the academic adviser. Requirements for a minor designed for additional endorsement may vary from those for a traditional minor, a larger number of credit hours may be required, and some additional endorsements may be available only to students majoring in a related area. Specific additional endorsement requirements are available from faculty advisers in the subject areas.
  1.      A candidate completing initial licensure in History, or History/Economics may complete an additional endorsement in Government with Political Science 121, 122 and one course from Political Science 211 and 212.
  1.      A candidate completing initial licensure in History, History/Government, or Government/History may complete an additional endorsement in Economics with Economics 201, 221 and 332.
  1.      A candidate completing initial licensure in History, History/Economics, History/ Government, or Government/History may complete an initial endorsement in Geography with Social Science 201 and two additional courses chosen from the World Cultures 370 options.

–>

In addition to required courses for majors and minors, Maryville College students take classes in the Maryville Curriculum, a core program of general education. Consisting of 51 credit hours, the Maryville Curriculum ensures that students see their major in a wider context and develop the basic communication, quantitative, and critical thinking skills that are needed for success in college and career.

You may also be interested in:

Counseling

Developmental Psychology

Masters in Teaching Secondary STEM (M.A.T.)

Psychology

American Sign Language-English Interpreting
Apply

Request Info

Interested in this Program of Study at Maryville College? Submit your basic information and an Admissions counselor will contact you shortly to answer any questions you might have.

Loading…