Education students in the classroom

Transition to Teaching Program

Learn how to get an Indiana teaching license in just one year at Valpo Image

Learn how to get an Indiana teaching license in just one year at Valpo

Change careers and become an adept educator in as little as 12 months through Valparaiso University’s transition to teaching program.

Our CAEP-accredited transition to teaching licensure program is for those who have a passion for education, already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-educational field, and are interested in becoming a classroom teacher. We offer alternative teacher certification in Indiana for the following areas:

  • Elementary education (Grades K-6)
  • Secondary education (Grades 5–12), with content specialization in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages
  • Early childhood education (Preschool- Grade 3)

Transition to teaching in Indiana with flexible course options

If you’re considering transitioning to teaching, at Valpo you can do so in as little as one year. Our licensure program is offered in a hybrid format—courses offered online and in-person during evening hours. That means you can continue to work while moving forward in a new, rewarding career path.

12 Months to Licensure

CAEP Accreditation

3 Licensure Tracks

20 Students
Per Class

Why pursue a transition to teaching program at Valpo?

Do you have a passion for education? Have you already finished a bachelor’s degree but are now considering teaching in a classroom near you?

Built for prospective teachers who are looking to transition to teaching in Indiana classrooms, Valpo’s program stands out as you’re considering how to get an Indiana teaching license through:

Faculty who are experienced educators

Our faculty members, who will help you in the process of transitioning to teaching, have vast K–12 teaching experience, and they’ve also been recognized for their outstanding contributions to elementary education, secondary education, and early childhood education.

Affordable coursework

As you’re considering how to get an Indiana teaching license, know that Valpo’s tuition for transition to teaching program students is $530 per credit and is lower than our normal tuition rate. That means you can more affordably move your career forward and pursue alternative teacher certification in Indiana and beyond. State-funded programs may reduce this cost further. Contact the Graduate Admissions Office to learn more about these opportunities.

Hands-on classroom experiences

At Valpo, our alternative teacher certificate in Indiana program starts with field experience during your very first semester. That’s when you’ll teach lessons as part of your coursework. To complete your transition to teaching program, you’ll student-teach for a total of 15 weeks.

Immediate employment

Many students are eligible to receive an emergency teaching license in Indiana. This means that you can go to work today while you complete the transition to teaching program. You can even maintain your job while you complete student teaching.

Courses you will take as you pursue alternative teacher certification in Indiana

Courses you will take as you pursue alternative teacher certification in Indiana

Whether you choose our elementary education, secondary education, or early childhood education tracks, at Valpo, transitioning to teaching may take as little as nine classes. All of our licensure tracks culminate in a 15-week student teaching experience in a local school, which will help you to transition to teaching in Indiana classrooms.

What can you do with your alternative teacher certification in Indiana Image

What can you do with your alternative teacher certification in Indiana?

While learning how to get an Indiana teaching license is important, it’s equally important to know where you can work upon completing Valpo’s transition to teaching program. Our elementary, secondary, and early childhood education transition to teaching programs are helping to address the teacher shortage in Indiana and the nation. Upon earning a teaching license in Indiana, it can be transferred to Illinois, Michigan, and beyond, opening up career opportunities across the nation.

Nearly 100% of majors find jobs upon completing alternative teacher certification in Indiana classrooms. Employment in education and related career opportunities are expected to grow 10% through 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Transitioning to teaching professionals earn, on average, $58,500 upon entering the workforce.

Eleigh Tricker

Hear from our transitioning to teaching students

“I can absolutely say that the skills I’m learning in this program, right now, are already helping me in my classroom. I’m building the foundation and structure to keep increasing my proficiency as an educator. I’ve built a great framework to build on, thanks to Valpo.”

— Eleigh Tricker ’22 Transition to Teaching

Get started on your transition to teaching in Indiana degree

Take the next step and learn how to get an Indiana teaching license at Valpo. We have the resources to answer all your questions and help you get started.