Interested in a Career in Education?
Being a teacher is one of the most rewarding careers because it allows you to make a lasting impact on students' lives. As a teacher, you have the opportunity to shape young minds, inspire curiosity, and help students discover their strengths. You get to guide them through challenges, celebrate their successes, and play a key role in their personal and academic growth. Teaching is also a chance to make a difference in your community by shaping future generations and helping students reach their full potential. Plus, it’s a career that offers variety—no two days are the same, and every student brings new experiences and challenges. If you’re passionate about learning, problem-solving, and helping others, a career in education may be for you.
Vol State offers several pathways to help you develop the fundamental skills and knowledge you need to prepare for university transfer or enter the field of education at an entry level. Scroll through the Career Coach information for a projected job outlook in Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, and Special Education.
Early Childhood Education
This career program is designed to prepare you for entry and advancement in the early childhood education profession. In our Technical Certificate program, you will gain essential knowledge and practical skills needed to work in a variety of settings within Tennessee’s childcare industry, including preschools, childcare centers, and early learning environments. Our program collaborates with the Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA) to offer courses that meet the training component of the six Child Development Associate (CDA) Competency Standards and Functional areas. Completing four designated courses allows you the ability to obtain your CDA.
The Associate of Science in Teaching (A.S.T.) program prepares you for a career in early childhood education by offering the foundational knowledge needed to become a preschool teacher or teach children in grades K-3. Graduates with an A.S.T. are ready to transfer to a four-year university and earn a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, which is required for teaching licensure in Tennessee. The demand for qualified early childhood educators is growing, both in Tennessee and across the U.S., as more focus is placed on the importance of early learning. This program opens the door to a rewarding career with opportunities to make a lasting impact on young children’s education and development.
Elementary Education
The Associate of Science in Teaching for grades K-5 is a two-year program designed for students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. This degree prepares you to teach children in kindergarten through fifth grade, providing a strong foundation in educational principles and classroom management. After completing the A.S.T., you can transfer to a four-year university to finish your degree and earn a teaching license in Tennessee. As the demand for elementary school teachers continues to grow, this program offers a pathway to a stable and fulfilling career where teachers play a key role in shaping young students' learning and development.
Secondary Education
Vol State offers multiple pathways to becoming a high school teacher in Tennessee. Our Secondary Education programs are designed to provide the coursework you need to transfer to a four-year university. After completing an A.S. or A.S.T. degree at Vol State, you will be prepared to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education and earn a teaching license, allowing you to teach one or more subjects at the secondary school level.
- Secondary Education - A.S.
- Secondary Education (English) - A.S.T. (TTP)
- Secondary Education (Math) - A.S.T. (TTP)
- Secondary Education (Social Studies) - A.S.T. (TTP)
Special Education
The Special Education A.S.T. provides a seamless transfer pathway to a bachelor’s program and grounds you in the fundamentals of this dynamic career field. Most Special Education teachers work in public schools, teaching students from preschool to high school who have learning, mental, emotional, and physical challenges. Special Education teachers work to meet the unique needs of students through collaborative planning and individualized teaching strategies.
Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Vol State partners with interested school districts in our 11-county service area to offer a registered paraprofessional apprenticeship program for students who are approved to participate in the Grow Your Own (GYO) registered teacher apprenticeship. Employment with a partnering school district is required. The GYO program offers a no-cost pathway to initial teacher licensure. Apprentices gain hands-on experience while working and completing their academic courses. Visit the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center website or contact your local school district for more information.
University Transfer Options
The universities below offer bachelor's degree programs in teacher education to students in or near the Vol State service area. It is not exhaustive, and information is subject to change. Always check with the receiving university for the most up-to-date information on transfer options. Visit Tennessee Transfer Pathways for a listing of additional universities where each education related TTP can be completed.
Tennessee State University (TSU)
Students who have completed the Associate of Science in Teaching K-5 - A.S.T or Early Childhood Education (Pre K-3) - A.S.T. programs are eligible to transfer to TSU’s Bachelor of Science (B.S.) programs for K-5 or PreK-3 teacher certification.
Benefits of TSU’s “Tribrid” program:
- Direct transfer of courses from Vol State to TSU
- Ability to complete your Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 4 semesters after transfer
- $3,000-$4,000 Community College Graduate Scholarship eligibility, depending on GPA
- Each semester, courses will be offered in three ways: in-person on Vol State's Gallatin campus, (2) online asynchronous, and (3) online synchronous, with practicum and clinical experiences in Pre-K-5 classrooms in your local community.
Vol State graduates interested in transferring to TSU for a bachelor’s degree in education should visit the Transfer Information page or contact the TSU College of Education.
Austin Peay State University (APSU)
Graduates from Vol State A.S.T. programs have a clear pathway to transfer to Austin Peay State University. You can pursue a bachelor’s degree in education and gain licensure in Tennessee! For more information, visit the APSU Eriksson College of Education.
For transfer assistance, please contact the Adult, Nontraditional & Transfer Student Center at admissions@apsu.edu or (931) 221-7661. You can also reach the Eriksson College of Education directly at coe_communications@apsu.edu or (931) 221-7696 for additional inquiries.
APSU offers Transfer Scholarship Opportunities for new transfer students who meet the eligibility criteria and apply by the deadline. For complete details, please visit the APSU Transfer Scholarship webpage.
Grow Your Own (GYO) Teacher Residency at APSU
The Austin Peay State University Eriksson College of Education is a national leader in preparing students to become successful teachers while collaborating with school districts to address teacher shortages. The application process to become a teacher resident begins with the school district. For more information or to fill out the teacher residency inquiry form, visit the APSU Grow Your Own.
Tennessee Tech University (TTU)
Vol State A.S.T. graduates can transfer to an undergraduate program at Tennessee Tech to pursue a bachelor’s degree in education and licensure in the state of Tennessee. Visit Tech’s College of Education for information.
For transfer assistance, please contact Mrs. Carrie Harris, Admission Coordinator at cmharris@tntech.edu or (931) 372-6407. For more information, email teachereducation@tntech.edu or call (931) 372-3170.
Guaranteed Tech Transfer Pride Scholarships are available to new transfer students who qualify and apply by the deadline. Please review the TTU Transfer Scholarship page for complete details.
