All syllabi have been updated to reflect changes for 2024-2025

Tennessee State University’s Occupational Educator Preparation Program (OEPP) is a part of the general Educator Preparation Program, whose conceptual underpinning is supported by the charge of preparing competent and caring facilitators of learning, committed to diversity and the success of all.  Through course instruction, intensive mentoring, and clinical experiences, all programs in the TSU EPP provide candidates with the knowledge and skills to enable competency in facilitating learning. Throughout the program, candidates are carefully monitored to ensure the development of appropriate disposition. While most of the programs in the EPP focus on academic areas (e.g., Elementary Education, Secondary English, Math, etc.), the OEPP is specifically designed to prepare individuals to obtain licensure in 24 occupational areas (see list below).  

Applicants with a verified background in one of the occupational areas apply to TSU for admission into the 18-credit hour program through the regular application process to the university. Applicants are typically employed practitioners in the school system or contracted there. As job-embedded applicants, candidates must provide the EPP with a letter of intent to hire from the prospective employer. While the state of Tennessee verifies that candidates have the requisite content knowledge and certification in their chosen field, TSU OEPP provides the pedagogical and literacy competencies through six standards-based courses. All six courses are offered online through TNeCampus, allowing candidates the flexibility to take classes remotely at their convenience.  

Occupational Endorsements 

Automotive

Drafting/CAD

Fire Safety

Public Health 

Aviation Ground School

Electrical 

Digital Arts and Design

Welding 

Barbering

Programming 

HVAC

Broadcasting 

Health Informatics

Carpentry 

Health Science

Collision Repair 

Information Technology

Concrete/Masonry 

Legal and Protective Services

Cosmetology 

Manufacturing

Culinary Arts 

Plumbing

Distribution and logistics 

The programs are all cohort-based online, hybrid, and face-to-face learning by design and flexible for students who still need to meet the requirements to continue with their cohort. The program faculty believes there is more excellent value to candidates learning from their peers and learning collaboratively. Given that many of the candidates work within the primary partnership (PP) as educational leaders, the cohort model offers a rich collaborative approach between the PP and faculty.

CTE- A

While CTE-A remains a valuable program, it is currently not undergoing active development or recruitment. CTE-A is presently on pause regarding program updates and student recruitment. We are exploring future possibilities for this program

• Program Assessment

• InTASC Alignment

• Literacy Standards Alignment

Recruitment Plan

2023-2024 Plan

CTE- 0 Occupational Licensure Program Course Description and Syllabi Links:

• TELC 2000 & 4000 Level courses are at the undergraduate level

• ELC 5000 level courses are at the graduate level

  • Courses at the Undergraduate and Graduate level are taught concurrently

  • Graduate-level courses have additional deliverables and expectations for all key assignments

• TELC 2007, 4001, 5001 Adolescent Learners

• TELC 2008, 4002, 5002 Assessment and Evaluation

• TELC 2009, 4003, 5003 Managing the Learning Environment

• TELC 2010, 4004, 5004 Survey of Exceptional Children

• TELC 2011, 4005, 5005 Teaching and Learning with Technology

• TELC 2012, 4006, 5006 Teachers as Agents of Change

1. CTE -O Program of Study

2. CTE -A Program of Study [program has no students for licensure]

The plan was developed based on the 2022-2024 data regarding enrollment and retention.

• Recruitment and Retention Plan [no submission]

All SAPs within the EPP will provide a clear field and clinical practice description inclusive of all components, including organization, sequence, diversity of placement as related to grade bands and endorsement areas, and how candidates will be supervised and evaluated during those field and clinical experiences.

• • Clinical Experience

CTE Matrix

• CTE-O Progam Files - a comprehensive collection of CTE program folders and files.

• EPP Data [21-24]

• Revised Teacher Handbook - Teaching and Learning revised the handbook to explain the clinical experience further as the team works to update the process and better support candidates in secondary programs.  

  • EXAMPLE: CTE-O Syllabus, Clinical Experience

• Residency Booklet Revised Residency Handbook for Clinicians and Supervisors (CTE-A only).  The purpose was to ensure all clinicians and supervisors have a reference guide after training.  

1. Enrollment Fluctuations: Enrollment numbers fluctuate across semesters, with peaks in the Spring and Fall semesters. This suggests a potential seasonal variation in student interest or program offerings.

2. Low Graduation Rates: The overall graduation rate over the 3-year cycle is relatively low, at 15% and 4% for the two periods, respectively. This indicates a significant dropout or program completion issue.

3. Decreasing Retention: The retention rate from Fall to Fall has declined significantly, from 40% to 8% in the second cycle. This suggests a worsening issue in retaining students from one academic year to the next.

Potential Factors Contributing to Low Graduation and Retention:

• Program Design and Delivery

• Student Support Services

• External Factors