Elementary Education Graduate Certificate

The graduate certificate in Elementary Education is intended for those seeking to develop a knowledge and skill base that undergirds effective, equity focused teaching of elementary age learners from a range of backgrounds. A graduate certificate in Elementary Education is appropriate for K-12 teachers endorsed in areas outside of Elementary Education, K-12 teachers endorsed in Elementary Education at the undergraduate level, administrators and supervisors aspiring to lead schools at the elementary level, non-endorsed professionals whose work (e.g., museum, public-service agency) interfaces significantly with K-12 education, and those interested in home schooling. Coursework in this certificate is designed to lead to an additional endorsement in Elementary Education for teachers licensed in other areas in the state of Tennessee, pending transcript review, passing appropriate licensure exams, and recommendation of the faculty advisor.

Campus Code

Distance Education
Knoxville Campus

Graduate Certificate Type

Add-On
Stand-Alone

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Applicants can be currently admitted to a degree program at UTK or can apply solely for the Elementary Education Graduate Certificate through the Graduate Admissions Office.
• All 15 credit hours of graduate coursework must be completed at the University of Tennessee within five years of applying for a certificate.

Academic Standards

• Students must maintain a 3.50 graduate GPA in all certificate courses in the program and complete the requirements within five years of applying for a certificate.

Credit Hours Required

15 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• REED 530 
• MEDU 530 
• SSCE 521 
• SCED 531 
• Elective (3 credit hours)
  • REED 528
  • REED 529 
  • REED 537 

Non-Course Requirements

To receive the certificate, students must:
1) complete the Graduate Certificate Course Verification Form (located on the Graduate School webpage under the Forms Central tab) and
2) through MyUTK, apply to graduate from the certificate program.