Teacher Education FAQs
The frequently asked questions listed below are about admission to the Teacher Education Program only.
If you need additional information, you may contact the Office of Teacher Education at 931-372-6407 or email teachereducation@tntech.edu.
Interview Process
Q: Can I complete my interview for admission to the Teacher Education Program at any time?
A: No. Interviews are only conducted on specific pre-scheduled dates based on interviewer availability. Appointments are filled on a first-come, first-served basis for each date and time. Once all spaces for a given date are filled, no additional requests can be accepted. Many students wait until the end of the semester to complete the interview process, which often results in limited availability. To avoid delays, plan ahead and schedule your interview early in the semester.
Q: How do I know when interviews for admission to the Teacher Education Program will be available?
A: Available interview dates and times can be found on the Interview Request Form. Announcements about upcoming interviews are also shared in the monthly Office of Teacher Education newsletter. If you are not receiving the newsletter at your Tennessee Tech email account, please let our office know. You can also view recent newsletters HERE.
Q: When are interviews for admission to the Teacher Education Program offered?
A: Interviews are typically conducted on multiple days each month throughout the semester. The Office of Teacher Education alternates interview days and times to accommodate a variety of class schedules.
Q: How do I request an interview for admission to the Teacher Education program?
A: Students may request an interview by submitting the Interview Request Form. The form should not be submitted unless there is an available date and time listed that the student plans to attend. If none of the listed times work, students should check back periodically for additional availability.
Q: About how long does the interview for admission to the Teacher Education Program take?
A: Most interviews take approximately 15-20 minutes, depending on the interviewer.
Q: How do I reschedule my interview for admission to the Teacher Education Program if the date and time I selected no longer work for me?
A: If you need to reschedule your interview, please email the Office of Teacher Education at teachereducation@tntech.edu.
Testing Requirements
Q: What options do I have for meeting the Teacher Education Program testing requirements?
A: Students must meet one of the following testing requirements for admission to the
Teacher Education Program:
•ACT: A minimum superscore of 21
The ACT superscore is calculated by averaging your highest scores for each section
across multiple test attempts.
•SAT: A minimum total score of 1080
•Praxis CORE Exams: Minimum scores of Reading: 156, Math: 150, and Writing: 162
Praxis CORE Test Code Changes
Beginning September 1, 2020, students must register using the updated Praxis CORE
test codes.
| Test Name | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
| Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading | 5713 | 156 |
| Core Academic Skills for Educators: Writing | 5723 | 162 |
| Core Academic Skills for Educators: Math | 5733 | 150 |
Q: Can I retake the ACT to meet the testing requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program instead of taking the Praxis CORE tests?
A: Yes. You may retake the ACT to achieve the minimum superscore of 21 required for admission instead of taking the Praxis CORE tests.
Q: When I register for the ACT, do I need to sign up for the science and writing sections?
A: No. You only need to register for the basic ACT test (math, reading, English). The science and writing portions are not required.
Q: Is there tutoring available for the Praxis CORE Academic Skills for Educators test or the ACT?
A: Yes! Tutoring and test preparation resources for both the Praxis CORE and the ACT are available free of charge. [Click here for more information on test resources.]
Background Check Process
Q: How do I complete the background check process?
A: Instructions for completing the background check through the Tennessee Tech Office of Teacher Education can be found in the Background Check Guide.
Q: I recently completed a background check for a job. Can that background check be used for admission to the Teacher Education Program?
A: No. Not all background checks screen for the same information. To ensure that school systems receive the correct and complete information, all background checks must be completed through the Office of Teacher education, no exceptions. Instructions for completing the required background check can be found in the Background Check Guide.
Q: I was recently hired for a new job. Can I have my background results sent to my employer?
A: No. Background check results completed through the Office of Teacher Education can only be used for clinical placements. We are unable to share copies of background check information, as the TBI/FBI does not consider secondary dissemination of reports to be current or valid. Employers will need to request a new background check.
Registration: Upper Division Professional Education Courses
Q: I need to register for a class that requires admission to the Teacher Education Program. Can I register before being fully admitted?
A: No. Students cannot register for or receive permits for any upper-division professional education courses until they are fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program.
Q: I keep getting an error code when I try to register for some upper-division classes. What is causing it?
A: A prerequisite/test code error may appear if you have not yet been fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program when registering for upper-division professional education courses. The error code could also be cause by a course corequisite. Please contact your advisor for assistance and guidance.