2025-2026 Catalog

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English Language Learners

Mission Statement

Through the development of pedagogical and content knowledge, personal dispositions, practical applications, professional teaching, and advanced academic coursework, the mission of the Master of Arts in Teaching English Language Learners program is to prepare masters candidates to meet the academic needs of all students, at any grade level, whose native language is not English.  

Students in this program must pass the Praxis English to Speakers of Other Languages Test before they are considered candidates for licensure and permitted to student teach.

For initial license candidates, the program is 36 semester hours including the student teaching semester and seminar. Individuals with a valid and current Tennessee teacher's license may complete a subset of the courses below for an add-on endorsement in English and a Second Language PreK-12 (endorsement code 490). Please contact an education faculty member or the Licensure Officer for information.

Candidates will complete the specific course requirements below.

 

 

 

Emphasis in English Language Learners

English Language Learners emphasis - 15 hours

MAT 5510Introduction to Linguistics

3
MAT 5520Instruction & Planning for English Language Learners

3
MAT 5530Field Experience with English Language Learners

3
MAT 5540Reading and Writing in the Content Areas

3
SPE 5040Advanced Educational Assessment of Exceptional Students

3

MAT Core Courses - 21 hours

MAT 5014Education for the Developing Learner

3
MAT 5070Advanced Classroom Management

3
MAT 5080Diverse Populations

3
MAT 5180Education: The Profession & The Professional

3
MAT 5250Building Literacy in the K-12 Classroom

3
MAT 5285Practicum

3-9
or
MAT 5286Student Teaching

3
MAT 5287Student Teaching Seminar

3
Traditional student teaching is completed in one semester with MAT 5286 and MAT 5287 as co-requisites.

Job embedded clinical experience is completed in two semesters with MAT 5285 (first semester of employment) and MAT 5287 (second semester of employment).

36 minimum hours required for graduation.

Licensure: Candidates for a Tennessee teaching license must pass state-required exams to be qualified for a license. Exam requirements periodically change. Candidates must consult the Tennessee Department of Education and Educational Testing Service websites for a list of current licensure exams.

Licensure: Candidates for a Tennessee teaching license must pass state-required assessments to be qualified for a license. Assessment requirements periodically change. Candidates must consult the Tennessee Department of Education and Educational Testing Service websites for a list of current licensure assessments.