Program Description
The state of Indiana mandates that any university offering undergraduate teacher preparation programs in the state must also offer Transition-to-Teaching programs in all licensure areas for which it has state approval. The only exceptions are the licensure areas currently referred to as "all-grade" licensure areas: art, music, physical education, and special education.

Valparaiso University offers the following licensure areas through the Transition to Teaching program:

1. Elementary education
2. Secondary education:

a. English/Language Arts/Mathematics

b. Sciences - life science, physical science, physics, chemistry, earth/space

c. Social Studies - economics, geographical perspectives, government & citizenship, historical perspectives, psychology, sociology

d. Foreign Languages - Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Latin

e. Health

The state-mandated maximum number of credits in education-related courses for elementary licensure areas is 24;  secondary education licensure is 18. However, prerequisite coursework in content areas (e.g., mathematics, science, English) is not part of this credit limit and may be required so that the teacher candidate can meet all preformance-based licensure standards. Required content area coursework will be determined through transcript evaluation of courses previously completed. If a teacher candidate is completing the Transtition to Teaching program at Valparaiso University, content area courses will most likely be offered at the undergraduate level and a different tuition rate might be charged for enrollment in those courses.

All content and education-related courses required for licensure must be completed before a teacher candidate will be allowed to begin courses in Education.

Completion of the Transition to Teaching program at Valparaiso University plus completion of all other state-mandated requirements for teaching licensure leads to Indiana teaching licensure which may be reciprocal with many other states and territories in the United States. The Transition to Teaching program does not lead to an advanced degree and no courses taken for this program may be applied to an advanced degree at Valparaiso University.

If a content area is not listed above, Valparaiso University does not have a state-approved program in that area and so does not offer a Transition-to-Teaching in that area.

Criteria for Admission
The following application materials must be submitted before an applicant will be considered for admission. Applicants are admitted in the spring so they can begin the program during the summer term. The application deadline is the preceding April 1. Because admission to this program is competitive, serious applicants are encouraged to complete all admission requirements well in advance of the April 1 deadline.

Applicants who submit their application/forms after the April 1 deadline will be contacted to determine if they wish to be considered for admission to this program April 1 of the next calendar year.

• Transcripts detailing a minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a "licensable" area. The Valparaiso University Licensure director evaluates transcripts and determines if there are any deficiencies in an applicant's application for admission. Any required content area coursework adds to the 18 or 24 credits of education course work in the Transition to Teaching Program.
• Transcripts showing a minimum 3.0/4.0 grade point average both overall and in the specific content area; or meeting all three of the following conditions: 2.5/4.0 undergraduate cumulative grade point average and 2.5/4.0 grade point average in the specific content area and five years of relevant professional experience. These criteria are set by the State of Indiana in the Trasition to Teaching legislation and therefore there can be no exceptions.
• PRAXIS I scores in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics with the following minimums: Reading, 176; Writing, 172; and Math, 175.
• For secondary candidates, PRAXIS II scores in the content area that meet the minimum required for state licensure. Elementary Transition to Teaching applicants must  submit passing scores on the PRAXIS II exam after their course work has been completed but prior to final approval. Passing score information can be obtained from the Department of Education website.
• Payment of $30.00 Graduate School application fee as well as completion of Graduate and Education application forms.
• Payment of $3,200.00 Transition to Teaching program fee according to schedule provided with Transition to Teaching application packet.
• Three letters of reference focusing on the candidate's character, ability to complete graduate coursework, and potential to be an effective teacher. All three references should address all of these areas, or acceptance into this program may be delayed or denied. Three references are required of every applicant, regardless of where the applicant's undergraduate or graduate coursework was completed.
• A 500-800 word reflective essay explaining reasons for wanting to become a teacher, reasons for wanting to enroll in this program rather than a degree licensure program, description of work/other professional experiences in diverse settings, knowledge/familiarity with computers and other technology, knowledge in the area(s) in which the applicant wants to be licensed, and professional dispositions related to teaching. The essay must address each of the above areas, or acceptance into this program could be delayed or denied.

Curriculum
The specific courses and credits differ for the elementary education and middle/secondary school programs. Some courses may be offered only online.

For more information about the Transition-to-Teaching program
To learn more about the Transition-to-Teaching program, visit their department website at http://www.valpo.edu/education/.

Interested students should request an information packet from the Office of the Graduate School through our website or by e-mailing Graduate.School@valpo.edu.

Click here to apply online!