Frequently Asked Questions

Education is not a major at East Tennessee State University.  If you plan to teach, you must select a major that leads to teacher licensure.  There are a variety of majors leading to licensure at the primary, elementary, and secondary levels.  The Clemmer College houses four majors that lead to teacher licensure Early Childhood Development (elementary, PreK-3), Interdisciplinary Studies (Elementary, K-6), Physical Education, and Special Education.  Some majors in the Phil and Martha Bachman College of Arts and Sciences (PMBCAS), the College of Business and Technology, and and the College of Public and Allied Health also lead to teacher licensure.  For instance, if you want to teach high school math, you would major in Mathematics which is in the PMBCAS and Sciences and minor in Teacher Education. After choosing a licensure area, you need to make an appointment to meet with a professional advisor in the Clemmer College.  This appointment will be the first of many advisement sessions related to the specific licensure requirements for your major. 

A minor is not always required for majors leading to teacher licensure.  If you are pursuing a teacher licensure major that does require a minor, your minor will be Teacher Education Multiple Disciplines (TEMD). This minor is only open to students pursuing teacher licensure.  

For students following a non-licensure program, the Clemmer College has minors in Early Childhood Development, Special Education, Human Development and Learning, Leisure Services, Sport Management, Physical Education, and Athletic Coaching.  These minors will complement many of the majors at ETSU, although none of them will fulfill teacher licensure requirements.

If you need a minor to graduate in a non-teaching program, you may choose any minor that East Tennessee State University offers.  The undergraduate catalog has information about minors, including the required courses for each minor.  A minor may or may not be related to a major.  One example is that with an Early Childhood non-teaching major, you could minor in Special Education. One of the advisors in the Clemmer College can discuss possible minors with you.

 If you plan to pursue a secondary (middle/high school) teaching license, you should select a major based upon the subject that you would like to teach.  For example, History would be your major if you want to teach History. Your minor will be Teacher Education Multiple Disciplines (TEMD). (See the previous question for information related to this minor). For information on advisement refer the last FAQ.

There are several majors in the Clemmer College that allow you to work with people and do not involve teaching in the classroom.  These majors are Early Childhood Development General (non-licensure), Special Education General (non-licensure), Sport Management and Leisure Services, and Physical Education with a concentration in Exercise Science.  All of these majors would provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in jobs in public or private sectors. 

Early Childhood (non-teaching) majors may direct childcare centers or work with public agencies that provide services to children. 

The Sport Management and Leisure Services major has two concentrations, one in Sport Management and the other in Parks and Recreation.  If you pursued the Sport Management concentration, you might pursue a job with a business such as the Bristol Motor Speedway or a professional football team.  With a concentration in Parks and Recreation, you might work direct a city's recreation program or coordinate activities as a camp leader.

 Typically high school coaches are licensed teachers who have experience with the sports they are coaching.  Tennessee does not offer licensure in coaching, therefore taking coaching courses is not a requirement to coach.  East Tennessee State University does offer a minor in athletic coaching.  This minor provides courses that would help you understand the psychological, sociological, and performance aspects in coaching.  If you want to coach in a school setting you should pursue teacher licensure in areas you would like to teach to enhance employment opportunities. 

Each student's path at ETSU is unique and can vary depending on a multitude of factors. Some of those factors include credits from Dual Enrollment, AP courses, transfer credits, etc. Please work with your Academic Advisor to create the best plan for you.

The Compass Core Curriculum was designed with three central values: (1) do what is best for student learning, (2) provide students with greater flexibility and choice, and (3) maintain appropriate academic rigor in the general education program to meet student needs for the 21st century. Compass was designed to empower students by providing a foundation for professional success as well as success in their journey of lifelong learning.

All Compass classes include high-impact teaching practices to engage students in the learning experience in ways that make coursework relevant, meaningful, and connected to students’ lives through reflective and thoughtful connections. Explore Compass and begin your pathway to success.

Find out more, here.

If you pursue a major in Early Childhood Development, Elementary Education, Physical Education K-12 (teaching), Special Education, Interdisciplinary Studies, or Applied Science, you will be advised by Clemmer College professional advisors when you first enter the university. You are required to have advisement at least the first four semesters in school. The Clemmer College Academic Advisement Team contacts students who are required to have advisement to discuss appropriate course selection and other pertinent program information before they are allowed to register each semester. 

There are a variety of tutoring services across campus that are available to students at no charge.  You may also obtain assistance in mathematics from the Math Lab and in oral and writing skills from the Writing Lab. Access tutoring services, here.

You may have questions not covered in this section. A professional advisor would be glad to assist you and may be reached through the Student Success office phone or email:

Telephone: 423-439-7626
From a campus phone, dial 9-7626.

Email: clemmer_success@etsu.edu