Teacher Education Requirements
Initial Licensure
Beginning August 1, 2023, all educators or administrators with at least one endorsement listed in this document will need to demonstrate proof that they have met the TLSA requirements when seeking to obtain, renew, or advance their license.
Educators may elect to demonstrate compliance using one of the below pathways. Both the trainings and the assessment are free to all educators.
- Foundational Literacy Skills Training: Complete Course 1 of either the Early Reading Training or Secondary Literacy Training. Candidates should select the training that best fits their licensure or school grade band.
Or
- Assessment: Pass the Tennessee Early Literacy Assessment (TELA). The Tennessee Early Literacy Assessment (TELA) is now available online. Once completed, candidates will upload the completion certificates to their licensure materials. Contact your program manager or advisor if you have additional questions
Undergraduate Teacher Education Requirement
- Successful completion of LU 1103/Lipscomb Experience and 3 hours of EN 1313 University Writing with a minimum grade of C
- Completion of ED 2313 Schooling in America with a minimum grade of C
- GPA of 2.75
- Full attendance at Teacher Education Initiation Sessions
- Conduct record in keeping with Lipscomb and the education profession’s standards (e.g., Tennessee Teacher Code of Ethics)
- Satisfactory interview with professional education faculty and practicing P-12 teacher or administrator
- Satisfactory completion of initial professional portfolio requirements
- (3) Positive references
- Satisfactory, current TBI fingerprinting and criminal background check sent to Lipscomb’s College of Education
- Verification of personal liability insurance:
- There are several companies that offer liability insurance for educators. Professional Educators of Tennessee (PET) has offered a special rate of $20 for Lipscomb teacher candidates. You are not required to use PET. But, if you decide to use PET, the easiest way to sign up is online or by going to the main page and click on the JOIN button at the top. The promo code for students to register individually: LIPSCOMBU5.
- Satisfactory scores on:
Graduate Teacher Education Requirement
In addition to meeting the Lipscomb University graduate school requirements, candidates are required to:
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.75 from a completed baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree program at a regionally accredited institution of higher learning or a GPA of 3.0 in the most recent sixty (60) credit hours earned
- Satisfactory, current TBI fingerprinting and criminal background check sent to Lipscomb’s College of Education
- Verification of personal liability insurance:
- There are several companies that offer liability insurance for educators. Professional Educators of Tennessee (PET) has offered a special rate of $20 for Lipscomb teacher candidates. You are not required to use PET. But, if you decide to use PET, the easiest way to sign up is online or by going to the main page and click on the JOIN button at the top. The promo code for students to register individually: LIPSCOMBU5.
- Satisfactory interview with program faculty
- Three professional letters of reference specifically recommending admission to teacher education, including one that is from an immediate supervisor from an educational setting. If the applicant has not yet worked in an educational setting, this can be from the current employment supervisor
- Passing test score(s) per the Tennessee State Board of Education on the state-specific content exam(s) (Praxis II or other as determined by state requirements) for job-embedded placements