Become A Special Educator in TN

What is the BASE-TN Program?

BASE-TN stands for Becoming A Special Educator in TN. The BASE-TN Program is a program that provides limited financial support for persons who meet the eligibility criteria and desire to earn an initial Tennessee teacher license in special education or an endorsement in special education. This support involves a commitment to teach in a Tennessee public school two years for each academic year of financial support received, serving students with disabilities ages birth through twenty-one.

At Middle Tennessee State University, the BASE-TN Program offers certification in Modified Special Education (endorsement 460) and Comprehensive Special Education (endorsement 461). Both endorsements are grades K-12. See our brochure here.

The BASE-TN Program is a grant-based State program. More information can be found on the State of Tennessee's web site here.

---

Who qualifies for the BASE-TN Program?

There are two priority groups for the BASE-TN Program:

Priority One	Priority Two
Has a Bachelor's Degree in a field other than Special Education AND	Has earned at least two years of transferable college credit in Special Education OR has an Associate's of Science in Teaching Degree
Has a Post-Baccalaureate Plan of Study for a Tennessee license in Special Education (with intent to complete within one to two years) OR	Currently working as an Educational Assistant or Para-Professional in a Special Education classroom
Has a teacher's license in a field other than Special Education	Currently serving students with disabilities on a full-time basis
	Has written intent to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education within three years.

---

How do I apply to the BASE-TN Program?

All applicants should do the following:

• Read the BASE-TN Guidelines
• Complete the BASE-TN Application
• Be admitted to the Teacher Education Program (contact Quinton Goodman for more information. Email: quinton.goodman@mtsu.edu or Phone: 615-898-2485)
• Provide four Letters of Recommendation (click here for more details)
• Provide a Letter of Intent (click here for more details)
• Provide official college transcripts

Priority One applicants should do the following:

• Have transcripts analysed by the Teacher Licensure Office for a Post-Baccalaureate Plan of Study in Special Education (contact Flora McCullough for more information. Email: flora.mccullough@mtsu.edu or Phone: 615-904-8001) (for the Transcript Analysis Request form, click here)
• Apply and be admitted to Middle Tennessee State University's Graduate School
• Provide a copy of any current teacher licenses

Priority Two applicants should do the following:

• Apply and be admitted to Middle Tennessee State University as an Undergraduate student

---

Important Dates

• BASE-TN Application Deadlines
  • first week of March for the following Fall semester
  • first week of October for the following Spring semester
• Teacher Education Application Deadlines
  • October 4 and December 4 for the following Spring semester
  • March 4 and May 4 for the following Summer terms
  • August 4 for the following Fall semester
• Graduate School Application Deadlines
  • June 1 for the following Fall semester
  • March 1 for the following Summer term
  • October 1 for the following Spring semester
• Undergraduate Application Deadlines
  • July 1 for the following Fall semester
  • December 15 for the following Spring semester

---

For more information on the BASE-TN Teaching Program at MTSU, please contact:

Dr. Craig Rice
Director, BASE-TN
1301 East Main Street
PO Box 69
Murfreesboro, TN 37132

(615) 898-5643
craig.rice@mtsu.edu

COE 335