Office of Teacher Education

Graduate (Post-Baccalaureate) Pathway to Teacher Licensure

If you already have a bachelor’s degree, which may not be in an educational field, and are interested in becoming a teacher, consider Tennessee Tech’s post-baccalaureate teacher certification pathway.

Students in the program can take the necessary course work to gain teacher certification without having to obtain another undergraduate degree.

Many of the endorsement areas can be completed as a Masters + Licensure candidate. Please see our available programs below.

Candidates may complete this pathway as a part-time or full-time student. Upon completion of all program requirements, candidates are recommended for a Tennessee Practitioner Teaching License.

For a breakdown of program requirements, please review the benchmark tracking form (Updated 12/3/2025):

Benchmarks for Student Teachers

Eligibility for the Post-Baccalaureate Pathway Requires:

1. Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from a regionally accredited university.

2. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 overall or a 3.00 in the last sixty (60) hours of undergraduate coursework.

NOTE: Candidates who do not meet these requirements may request an appeal. This appeal is for post-baccalaureate candidates only.

For Assistance Contact

Ethan Grissom, Certification Analyst

Phone: 931-372-3097 | Email: egrissom@tntech.edu

In addition to an undergraduate degree and GPA requirements, candidates must complete the following three (3) steps:

Step 1 / Complete Program of Study Request

Candidates will also need to submit copies of all previous transcripts to Ethan Grissom, Certification Analyst, at egrissom@tntech.edu.

The transcripts will help determine what coursework is needed and the appropriate program information for your application to the College of Graduate Studies. This must be returned to your advisor with your signature prior to registering for coursework.

Program of Study/Transcript Analysis Request

NOTE: Candidates must submit an official copy of all transcripts to the Office of Teacher Education (OTE) for the analysis process, EVEN IF you have already submitted transcripts to Tech's Admissions Office or the College of Graduate Studies. OTE can forward any transcripts to the College of Graduate Studies for a candidate’s application after the analysis has been completed.

Step 2 / Admission to Graduate Studies

After completing the Program of Study/Transcript Analysis Request, all candidates must receive full admission to Tennessee Tech through the College of Graduate Studies.

College of Graduate Studies