Student Teachers must pass all state-required exams
OPL confirms completion of required coursework and HAL uploads
OPL verifies GPA (cumulative and content area)
OPL confirms completion of required clinical experiences
Student Teachers must complete graduation and licensure requirements (Undergraduates must graduate to qualify for a Practitioner License)
At the completion of the Student Teaching Program, OPL will verify that all program requirements have been satisfactorily met. Many student teachers complete the teacher preparation program and Bachelor’s degree the same semester as they complete their student teaching. However, it is not uncommon for some student teachers to complete coursework following their student teaching. Additionally, some students complete student teaching at the post-baccalaureate program. All of these are acceptable program completion timelines.
To receive the Practitioner license:
1) Student Teachers must pass state-required exams. The state of Tennessee requires that teachers demonstrate proficiency through multiple exams (see TN Board policy 5.105 for current required examination information). Information on the Praxis Exams required for licensure is available here. Note: Student Teachers will NOT be required to take the Principles of Learning and Teaching Praxis exam. Student Teachers should refer to their licensure areas for the required content knowledge assessments for specific endorsement areas; candidates seeking multiple licensure areas should note that they are required to take multiple Praxis exams. Failure to successfully pass state required exams will result in the inability to issue the practitioner licensure.
2) Student Teachers must complete required courses and applicable HAL uploads (or have a plan approved by their program area for completion of all required courses and applicable HAL uploads). OPL will verify this via transcript and HAL review prior to issuance of the practitioner licensure. Visit the HAL section of the internship handbook for more details. Reminders and checklists will be posted to HAL prior to completion dates.
3) Students must be verified to be in good GPA standing. Student Teachers must maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA, a 2.50 content/subject area GPA, and a 2.80 GPA in professional education courses. A grade of “C” or above must be received in all professional education courses. Keep in mind that some licensure programs have GPA requirements that differ from the 2.50 content GPA.
4) OPL confirms successful completion of required clinical experiences including UTPA summative assessment.
5) Student Teachers must complete graduation and licensure requirements (Undergraduates must graduate to qualify for a Practitioner License). The state TNCompass system requires an official transcript in order to issue professional licensure.
If one or more of the above Gateway requirements have not been met, the candidate will not be recommended for the practitioner licensure. At the discretion of the instructional team, student teachers may be granted a 6 month extension from the completion of student teaching to complete licensure requirements. However, this delay can have negative consequences such as interfering with the ability to be hired as a teacher.
Due to frequent changes in State Board of Education requirements for teacher licensure, additional coursework, assessments, and/or clinical experiences may be required if the student teacher does not complete all licensure requirements within 6 months from the completion of student teaching.