BASE-TN
Become A Special Educator in Tennessee Teaching Program is a program that provides financial support for persons who meet eligibility criteria and desire to earn an initial Tennessee teaching license or 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.
Who Qualifies?
There are two groups of candidates who are eligible to apply for BASE-TN.
- Priority I: Individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in an area other than special education and desire to obtain a license to teach in special education.
- Priority II: Individuals currently employed as an educational paraprofessional in a special education classroom and have earned an associate degree.
What Type of Financial Support is Available?
The BASE-TN grant will pay partial tuition. Students will be responsible for some costs, including technology (College LiveText CD), textbooks, housing, and meals, if applicable. Upon completion of the program, participants must teach in Special Education in a Tennessee public school two years for every 30 hours of financial support provided.
Application Process
The first step is to read the BASE-TN Guidelines: http://tennessee.gov/education/base-tn/index.shtml.
The second step in the application process is to become a student at Cumberland University in the Special Education program:
- Click here http://www.cumberland.edu/admissions/ to apply to Cumberland University’s undergraduate program and specify whether you are degree-seeking, licensure only, or additional endorsement only.
- Licensure-Only Program (undergraduate level): for those who already have an undergraduate degree but desire only licensure; or
- Additional Endorsement Program (undergraduate level): for those who already hold an apprentice or professional teaching license in an area other than Special Education.
Additional requirements for BASE-TN applicants: BASE-TN Application form, Four Letters of Recommendation to the Cumberland University BASE-TN Program, and a Letter of Intent. These must be submitted in addition to application requirements for these above programs. These additional requirements should be submitted directly to the School of Education & Public Service, BASE-TN Program, One Cumberland Square, Lebanon, TN 37087.
Deadlines for Submission
For Fall Entry – July 15 each year
For Spring Entry – Oct. 21 each year
If these dates fall on a weekend, the application will be due on Monday of the following week.