Dec 05, 2025  
2025-2026 Graduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

Exceptional Learning: Moderate to Severe Disabilities M.Ed.


At the Graduate level, Exceptional Learning Programs at the University of Tennessee- Chattanooga offer a 30-hour Master’s in Education Degree. By meeting additional requirements, and in tandem with the M.Ed. coursework, candidates can also earn teacher licensure in the state of Tennessee.

The M.Ed. in Exceptional Learning: Moderate to Severe Disabilities program prepares teacher candidates to implement evidence-based practices for supporting students with moderate, severe and/or multiple disabilities. Given the required clinical experience settings, candidates may pursue licensure for endorsement code 461 Special Education Comprehensive Programs Grades K-12.

Candidates interested in a non-licensure M.Ed., can complete up to 15 hours of advisor-approved electives to satisfy the 30-hour degree requirement.

Program of Study


Masters of Education in Exceptional Learning: Moderate/Severe Disabilities Grades K-12 is a dynamic 30-credit hour program leading to M.Ed. Teacher candidates seeking licensure with M.Ed. completion, (Endorsement Code 461; Special Education Comprehensive K-12) have two options for obtaining licensure with degree completion (graduate student teaching, or  job-embedded options). Teacher candidates seeking licensure will complete an additional 6-9 hours of either EDUC 5960- Induction Experience, or EDUC 5970- Job-embedded Induction.

M.Ed. with licensure options


The M.Ed. in Exceptional Learning: Moderate to Severe Disabilities includes licensure options for endorsement code 461 Special Education Comprehensive Programs Grades K-12. Teacher candidates seeking licensure with M.Ed. are required to complete 6-9 credit hours of clinical experience. For licensure with M.Ed. a total of 30-33 semester credit hours of graduate coursework is required. Graduate coursework includes 24 hours of professional education, and 6-9 hours of an approved clinical experience.

 

Option 1 (Job-embedded licensure)

EDUC 5970R - Job Embedded Mentoring ; 6-9hrs

Option 2 (Student Teaching; graduate)

EDUC 5960 - Induction Experience ; 6-9hrs

EDUC 5950 - Professional Seminar ; 3hrs

Option 3 (Internship with School District AND SOE Approval ONLY)

EDUC 5981 - Internship I ; 3hrs

EDUC 5982 - Internship II ; 3hrs 

EDUC 5950 - Professional Seminar ; 3hrs

Additional Information and Notes


Note: A comprehensive examination is not required. For Licensure Information, please see: Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP)