Program Overview
Tennessee State University’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education-Interventionist K-8 concentration-is a 33-credit program designed for certified teachers or teacher candidates aiming to specialize in educating students with mild to moderate disabilities. The curriculum integrates theoretical foundations and practical application to build expertise in areas such as psycho‑educational assessment, behavior management, consultation, collaboration, and the use of assistive technology. Through rigorous coursework and practicum experiences, candidates are prepared to serve in inclusive classroom settings, schools, hospitals, group homes, mental health centers, and community-based agencies, ultimately becoming skilled intervention specialists and advocates for learners with exceptional needs
Program Outcomes
Graduates will:
- Become reflective, caring, competent, and culturally responsive practitioners who are able to work with diverse populations using research-based interventions.
- Generate new knowledge through scholarly research and communication.
- Apply relevant theory, philosophy, research, policies, legislation, and best practice to their professional goals.
- Demonstrate growth in knowledge of content, differentiated interventions, and developmentally appropriate pedagogy.
- Become collaborators with learners, parents, the community, and other professionals.
- Uphold the ethical standards, values, and attitudes of the education profession.
Admission Requirements
- Unconditional admission to the program requires the applicant to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university, an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale. Candidates seeking initial licensure must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale.
- Conditional admission may be gained with a lower grade point average, but the student must remove conditional status by earning at least a B (3.0) average in the first nine hours of graduate courses. Failure to achieve this will result in withdrawal from the program.
- Admissions to teacher education programs at the graduate level may require additional evidence of academic performance (higher GPA, other test scores). Applicants who are also seeking an initial teaching license should contact the Office of Educator Preparation for current requirements.
Important Dates
Students may begin their coursework in the M.Ed. at the beginning of any semester. The only significant dates are the acceptable dates for admission to the program. This small chart displays the last date of receipt of a completed application and the starting semester.
Summer April 25
Fall July 15
Spring November 15
Program Duration
The M.Ed. Special Education program typically takes 2 - 3 years to complete depending on the number of courses in which candidates enroll each semester. Candidates seeking licensure will enroll in an additional semester to complete clinical experiences and additional licensure requirements.
Transfer of Credits
At the master’s level, a student may be allowed a maximum of twelve (12) semesters or eighteen (18) quarter hours of graduate credit from another accredited college or university. The Transfer of Credit is a fillable form that is to be completed with assistance from the assigned faculty advisor or program coordinator. The course credits being considered for transfer must be evaluated by the graduate program coordinator, department chair, college dean of the academic unit, and the dean of the Graduate School. Only courses in which the student earned grades of “B” or better, and which are taken within the degree program time limit, will be considered for transfer.
Degree Requirements
Licensure Option Degree Requirements
Special Education, with a concentration as an Interventionist and certified in grades K-8.
Special Education candidates must complete 36-credit hours of course work plus 12-credit hours in the semester of student teaching for a total of 48-credit hours and pass the comprehensive exams and all required Praxis subject area exams.
Advanced Degree and Endorsements Requirements
Licensed teachers may also choose to complete course work leading to an additional endorsement for their teaching license, Interventionist K-8, and. Candidates seeking an endorsement must complete the required course work and pass the Praxis subject area exam(s).
Career Opportunities
M.Ed. Special Education K-8 Interventionist candidates are prepared to serve as K-8 classroom teachers with expertise to work collaboratively with general education colleagues and support students with mild to moderate disabilities.
Accreditation Information
The M.Ed. Special Education K-8 Interventionist program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Tennessee Department of Education (TNDoE).
Program Website
M.Ed. Special Education
Program Coordinator/Contact Information
Dr. Heraldo Richards, Program Coordinator
Email: hrichards@tnstate.edu
Phone: 615-963-5324
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