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 micro-credentials (i.e., 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 micro-credentials and clinical experience activities to earn all three endorsements. 

Dual Enrollment Timeline

Coursework can be completed in approximately 145 clock-hours. On your own time and at your own pace. 

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

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

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 5545: Special Education Core Knowledge and Severe to Profound Applications

• Praxis 5543: Special Education Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications

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