Carter and Moyers School of Education

CAEP Accredited Program

Initial Teacher Licensure Undergraduate Program Mission Statement

The Carter and Moyers School of Education of LMU is dedicated to preparing professional educators of distinction who embody the three core ideals of Values, Education, and Service in candidates who:

  • Demonstrate the dispositions of the education profession. (Values)
  • Articulate and demonstrate the knowledge base of moral, social and political dimensions, which will impact individual students, schools, districts, and communities for the enrichment of society. (Values)
  • Demonstrate the teaching skills and learning strategies acquired through rigorous academic studies and active engagement in real life classroom experiences while involved in field and clinical placement in partner P-12 Schools. (Education)
  • Promote lifelong learning through continued professional development and scholarship. (Education)
  • Assist in meeting the educational needs of a global society, especially the underserved. (Service)
  • Articulate an understanding that all students can learn as well as demonstrate the dispositions to serve and teach diverse student populations. (Service)

Unit Commitment to Diversity

The School of Education recognizes differences among groups of people and individuals based on ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, gender, exceptionalities, language, religion, sexual orientation, and geographical area. The unit designs, implements, and evaluates curriculum and provides experiences for candidates to acquire and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions necessary to help all students learn. Assessments indicate that candidates can demonstrate and apply proficiencies related to diversity. Experiences provided for candidates include working with diverse populations, including higher education and P-12 school faculty, candidates, and students in P-12 schools.

All Programs

The Initial Teacher Licensure Undergraduate Department offers programs of study that lead to teacher licensure in Tennessee in elementary education, secondary education, special education, English language learners, and K-12 education. Licensure programs are approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education and adhere to the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation standards. LMU reserves the right to adjust at any time its Initial Teacher Licensure Undergraduate Program requirements to comply with changes mandated by the State Board of Education. 

Clinical Experience: All candidates must complete service learning hours each semester and many education courses require clinical experience components in addition to classroom seat time. Please see the Initial Teacher Licensure Undergraduate Handbook for details. ALL REQUIRED PRAXIS EXAMS MUST BE PASSED PRIOR TO STUDENT TEACHING. All candidates must meet or exceed the state required minimum on the edTPA Assessment Portfolio submitted during student teaching in order to qualify for a Tennessee Teacher License and graduation.

Teacher Licensure Programs Grade Requirement

All education major courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

Admission to the Initial Teacher Licensure Undergraduate Program

Admission to LMU does not ensure admission into the Initial Teacher Licensure Undergraduate Program. Candidates must complete the admissions process during Transition 1. The admissions process is initiated during the candidates’ enrollment in EDUC 290. Criteria and procedures for admission into the program are as follows:

Full Admission:
Candidates will:

  1. Enroll in EDUC 290, The Teaching Profession
  2. Fill out Candidate Information Form
  3. Enroll in other professional education pre-requisite courses or academic content courses based on a four (4) year plan for program of study.
  4. Complete Professional Dispositions Interview (DAPtm)
  5. Submit the following documents to Academic Support Assistant (Bus. Ed. 227) to be considered for Admissions Interview:
    1. Cold Writing Sample: Submitted in EDUC 290 6. Complete prior to Release to Field Experiences
  6. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation/Cogent Criminal Background Check
    1. Liability Insurance Purchase
  7. Provide evidence of:
    1. ACT, SAT or CASE Praxis Exam (ACT = 21; SAT = 1020; CASE = writing, 162, Math 150, reading 156)
    2. University Transcript showing Cumulative GPA = 2.75
  8. Submit one recommendation from outside the Carter & Moyers School of Education.
  9. Complete and Pass Formal Admissions Interview

Student Advising

After acceptance to the University, candidates who are pursuing Initial Teacher Licensure Undergraduate programs are assigned an education faculty advisor at the time of program application. The education advisor assists each candidate in developing an educational plan that indicates a time frame for formal admission to the Initial Licensure Undergraduate Program and program completion. The candidate is responsible for scheduling advisement conferences each semester with the Initial Teacher Licensure Undergraduate faculty advisor. Students pursuing a major in secondary and K-12 education will be assigned an advisor for the Initial Teacher Licensure Undergraduate and a faculty advisor from the respective secondary education department.

Note: Candidates should expect to be required to travel outside the main campus for selected clinical field experience during a portion of the program, to include schools in other counties.

Contact Information:

Office of Initial Teacher Licensure Undergraduate Business Education Building 227
Telephone: 423-869-6330
Web site: www.lmunet.edu/education
Email: teachereducation@lmunet.edu

Office of Teacher Certification/Testing and Candidate Placement & Development
Business Education Building 214
Telephone: 423-869-6253
Email: tywana.england@lmunet.edu