Licensing
Career Changers
Community of Teachers
The Community of Teachers program is an alternative teacher education program for undergraduate and graduate students. Rather than completing specific course work, participants work to master "competencies" based on national standards set forth in the Interstate New Teacher Assessment Standards Consortium (INTASC). Participants join a seminar of fellow students and work with a mentor teacher to hone their classroom skills.
Elementary Certification Master's Program
Earn your master's degree and certification as an elementary educator. Learn more about the Elementary Certification Master's Program, one of our graduate degree programs in Elementary Education. This program has replaced the Elementary Transition to Teaching program.
Art Education Certification/Licensure
If you have a bachelor's degree, you can earn certification as a visual arts educator. Learn about Art Education Certification/Licensure requirements.
Special Education Certification/Licensure
You can become a licensed special education teacher through our hybrid (online and residential) certification program. Learn about Special Education Certification/Licensure.
Transition to Teaching
If you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree in another field but are considering teaching as a career, we can help you develop the skills and knowledge you’ll need to teach at the middle school or high school level.
Transition to Teaching is a full-time, 18-credit hour certification program that runs from June of each year through the following spring semester. When you complete your studies, you can become a licensed secondary teacher in one of these content areas:
- English
- Foreign languages (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Spanish)
- Journalism
- Mathematics
- Science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth/Space Science, Physics)
- Social Studies (History, Geography, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology)
- Theatre Arts
While the program is designed around Indiana licensure requirements, Indiana has reciprocal licensing agreements with many other U.S. states. Learn more about licensing outside Indiana »
Eligibility Requirements for Transition to Teaching
The Transition to Teaching program is designed to supplement the knowledge you gained as an undergraduate with intensive teacher education. You’ll learn the theories and practice of teaching through course work, classroom observation, and, ultimately, a full-time student teaching assignment.
To enroll, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA or have earned a graduate degree at a regionally accredited university. (If you have five years of professional experience in a field related to the subject you will be licensed to teach, you can be admitted with a minimum 2.5 GPA.) Your undergraduate degree should be in one of the fields below:
- English
- Foreign languages (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Spanish)
- Journalism
- Mathematics
- Science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth/Space Science, Physics)
- Social Studies (History, Geography, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology)
- Theatre Arts
If you have a bachelor’s degree in another field and are interested in becoming a teacher, talk with one of our academic advisors to see if the courses you have taken can be considered the equivalent of a teaching major or if you need to take additional course work in your chosen content area.
Scholarships for Transition to Teaching Participants
If you are planning to become a science educator, you may be eligible for special scholarships.
Learn about scholarships for science educators »
How to Apply to Transition to Teaching
We accept applications until March 1 for programs beginning the following June.
To apply, you’ll need to submit the following materials:
- Proof of basic skills competency, which can include:
- A composite score of 527 on the Praxis I (Note: In January 2013, we will transition to the Indiana CORE Assessment for Educator Licensure)
- A minimum score of 24 on the ACT
- A minimum combined math and verbal score of 1100 on the SAT
- A minimum combined math and verbal score of 1100 on the GRE
- A minimum combined math and verbal score of 301 on the new GRE
- An advanced degree from a regionally accredited university
- Proof of appropriate content area competency on the licensing exam (if required by the state of Indiana)
- A personal statement that indicates your intention to study either for certification only or for certification and a master’s degree, as well as your personal goals, reasons for pursuing teaching as a career, your interest in this particular program, and the strengths and experiences that make you a good fit
- Two letters of recommendation that focus on your academic qualifications, as well as your professional accomplishments
You’ll also need to provide paper documentation of the following:
- Results from the GRE, if your undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0
- Detailed resume (if not included in your personal statement)
- Official, sealed transcripts from all other colleges and universities (other than Indiana University) that you have attended
In some cases, you may also need to interview with a School of Education representative.
If you have questions, we recommend speaking with one of our academic advisors. Contact us at (812) 856-8500 to make an appointment.
