Pictured | Shannon Yoder | Elementary Education, Special Education | Goshen, Indiana (hometown)
Elementary Education Transition to Teaching Licensure Program
The Transition to Teaching Licensure Program at IU South Bend is an alternative route to licensure program designed for mid-career professionals with a bachelor’s degree who want to become licensed teachers in the state of Indiana. The rigorous, field-based program is most appropriate for mid-career changers. To participate in the program for either developmental level (secondary education or elementary education), all applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, and take and pass the Pearson Core Academic Skills Assessment (CASA) for basic reading, writing, and mathematical skills, or provide proof of CASA exemption. For more information visit the Indiana Department of Education website. Additional requirements for entry are listed for each licensure program below.
The program is offered when there are an adequate number of qualified cohort candidates who commit to participation.
Elementary Education Transition to Teaching Licensure Program
The Elementary Education Transition to Teaching Program is approved by the Office of Educator Licensing and Development to recommend for licensure as an elementary generalist for the early childhood and middle childhood developmental levels.
The program is designed for individuals with a liberal arts and sciences degree with a broad course base that includes math, science, English, and social studies. Degrees in child development, social work, or other degrees in human development and human interaction fields are also appropriate.
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
- A bachelor's degree with a grade point average of at least 3.000, both in the major and overall
- Both a bachelor's degree with a grade point average of at least 2.500, both in the major and overall and five years of professional experience working with children
- Passing scores on Pearson CASA Basic Skills test
- A bachelor's degree and proof of passing the state approved content area exam
- Remove any deficiencies as determined by prior assessment of learning experiences
- Interview with elementary education faculty and representatives
All candidates enrolled in the Elementary Transition-to-Teaching program will be required to provide passing scores from all sub-tests of the Pearson Core Content Assessment for Elementary Generalists, as well as passing scores for the Pearson Assessment for Elementary Pedagogy in order to obtain their licenses. Candidates are encouraged to take the Core Content Assessments prior to student teaching.
Essential Courses in Elementary Education Transition to Teaching
- EDUC-E 502 Elementary Reading and Language Arts Curriculum I
- EDUC-E 544 Mathematic Methodology, Research, and Teaching in Elementary School
- EDUC-E 572 Elementary School Social Studies Curriculum
- EDUC-E 575 Teaching of Science in the Elementary School
- EDUC-E 576 Elementary Reading and Language Arts Curriculum II
- EDUC-K 505 Introductory Special Education for Graduate Students
- EDUC-M 500 Integrated Professional Seminar (1 cr.) (three semesters required)
- EDUC-M 550 Practicum
Field Experiences
Although a few courses in the program are offered online, the rest are offered in the evening. Program participants should be aware that field experience requirements during each of the semesters prior to student teaching will require candidates to spend one to two full days per week each week during the semester observing, teaching, and participating in local elementary schools during traditional school hours. Some field-based activities may also require participation in activities and events before or after the start of the school day.
Student Teaching
During the final semester of the program, Elementary Education Transition-to-Teaching candidates will complete 16-weeks of full-time student teaching in two different 8-week placements at different developmental levels (Grades Kindergarten-2, and Grades 3-6). Student teaching emulates full-time teaching, and candidates are expected to maintain the same hours as classroom teachers, and to participate in a variety of different extra-curricular events to better understand the life of the school as a whole. Teacher candidates will need to apply for their student teaching experiences by submitting to the Director of Student Teaching and Clinical Practice a list of preferences for placement. While the Office of Student Teaching and Clinical Practice will try to accommodate placement requests by candidate, the Director will make the final determination. For more information, please contact the Director of Student Teaching and Clinical Practice.