SPED DUAL ENROLLMENT
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2025-2026 UT PLAYS Initial Licensure and Additional Endorsements Apps are OPEN!
Special Education Dual Enrollment Program Information
Special Education Dual Enrollment Program Information
UT - Personal Learning at Your Speed (PLAYS) - Special Education Dual Enrollment Program aims to address the shortage of highly qualified special education teachers in Tennessee by providing an accessible program by which current teachers can concurrently become fluent in special education content and pedagogy and add three special education endorsements to their license: Comprehensive K-12 (161), the Interventionist K-8 (144), and 6-12 (145) endorsement(s) to their current Tennessee educator’s license.
Note: By enrolling in our Dual Enrollment Program, participants will complete coursework leading to add-on endorsements in Comprehensive K-12, Interventionist K-8, and Interventionist 6-12. Since many of the learning modules overlap in the Comprehensive K-12 and Interventionist K-8/6-12 programs, participants in our Dual Enrollment Program will complete a total of 13 modules and clinical experience activities to earn all three endorsements.
Dual Enrollment Timeline and Cost
Dual Enrollment Timeline and Cost
Coursework can be completed in approximately 145 clock-hours. On your own time and at your own pace.
The cost of the program is $1250 for a year subscription.
Course Materials
Course Materials
All course materials will be provided to candidates with a subscription. The subscription covers the cost of 1 Praxis exam. All others are the responsibility of the teacher candidate.
Coursework Requirements
Coursework Requirements
Participants in the Dual Enrollment Program will complete a total of 78 PDPs and clinical experience activities. Each module takes approximately 10-15 hours to complete. Modules for the Dual Enrollment Program include:
Foundations of Special Education
Developmental and Learning Needs (Moderate to Severe Applications)
Developmental and Learning Needs (Mild to Moderate Applications)
Special Education Assessment and Eligibility
Standards-Based IEPs & Assessment (Moderate to Severe Applications)
Standards-Based IEPs & Assessment (Mild to Moderate Applications)
Response to Intervention (RTI)
Communication and Functional Skills Instruction
Evidence-Based and High-Leverage Practices and Data-Based Instruction and Decision Making Parts 1 and 2 (moderate to severe applications)
Evidence-Based and High-Leverage Practices and Data-Based Instruction and Decision Making Parts 1 and 2 (mild to moderate applications)
Evidence-Based and High-Leverage Practices and Data-Based Instruction and Decision Making for Social/Emotional/Behavioral Needs
Licensing Requirements
Licensing Requirements
In addition to completing all modules, participants must take and pass the following license exams prior to receiving your add-on endorsements:
Praxis 5205: Teaching Reading Elementary
Praxis 5547: Special Education: Severe to Profound Applications
Praxis 5355: Special Education: Foundational Knowledge
Please note, assessment requirements for licensing are set by TN Department of Education. For up to date information on assessment requirements, please visit: Tennessee Praxis Exam Requirements
Professional Development Points
UT-PLAYS Special Education participants earn approved Professional Development Points as they progress through the Dual Enrollment program. The PDPs are aligned with The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)'s Professional Preparation Standards and TN Literacy and Specialty Area Standards and include: Foundations of Special Education, Developmental and Learning Needs, Special Education Assessment and Eligibility, Standards-Based IEPs & Assessment, Response to Intervention (RTI), Communication and Functional Skills Instruction, Evidence-Based and High-Leverage Practices and Data-Based Instruction and Decision Making, and Evidence-Based and High-Leverage Practices and Data-Based Instruction for Social/Emotional/Behavioral Needs
The 2025-2026 Additional Endorsement Application is Now Open!
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