Education programs

Studying at UT

Research & hands-on opportunities

UT is a high-intensity research institution, and all students have the opportunity to participate. As an education student, you might assist in the Intercultural and Classroom Culture Research Lab where you can examine how teachers and children construct a peer and school culture as they interact with each other. Or maybe you’ll study the psychosocial well-being of young people with incarcerated parents. Perhaps you get involved in the Parenting Education Lab where you’ll help strengthen the bond between parent and child through training.

Education students can also work in several centers at UT. You could support the Tennessee Reading Research Center where you can collaborate on a program that helps students in sixth through eighth grades build reading fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. You might work alongside professionals in the Korn Learning, Assessment, and Social Skills Center who offer clinical services to help students with academic challenges (like Dyslexia or ADHD) to gain confidence and be successful in school.

Career advancement

Students in education can join VolsTeach, a learning pathway that emphasizes early and ongoing field-based experiences. You’ll get experience in classrooms at a variety of schools and work alongside career mentors. Or, you might want to enroll in a teacher education program that will allow you to earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees within the span of five years.

UT has also partnered with the state of Tennessee to offer the Grow Your Own program, which was created to address teacher shortages. Through the program, students who already have a bachelor’s degree can earn a salary by working in schools as apprentice teachers while obtaining teacher licensure and a master’s degree. 

Involved in the community

Part of being a Volunteer means using your skills and talents to make a difference in the community around you. The Education Research and Opportunity Center at UT is home to five US Department of Education TRiO outreach and student services programs that have helped veterans, adults, and youth for over 30 years. By participating in these programs, you might find yourself helping youth graduate from high school and enroll in college, encourage high school students to pursue degrees in the fields of math and science, or support veterans while they pursue their educational goals.