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. Persons wanting licensure in one of these areas must choose one licensure area from elementary or high school grade levels. The first license would be only for the secondary (9-12) grade level unless arrangements were also made to complete additional courses in education for the elementary level.

Valparaiso University has approval to offer teacher preparation programs in the following content areas:

• Developmental levels of elementary and secondary education
• Content areas of:
  • Exceptional Needs - mild disabilities
  • Fine Arts - vocal/general music, instrumental/general music, visual arts
  • Generalist - early/middle childhood (elementary education)
  • Health/Physical Education - (only one of these)
  • Language Arts - (former English content area)
  • Mathematics
  • Science - life science, physical science
  • Physics, chemistry, earth/space science
  • Social Studies - economics, geographical perspectives, government and citizenship, historical perspectives, psychology, sociology
  • Foreign language
    

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.

The state-mandated maximum number of credits in education-related courses for secondary licensure areas is 18. The state-mandated maximum number of credits in education related courses for elementary education licensure is 24. However, prerequisite course work 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 performance-based licensure standards. Required content area course work will be determined through transcript evaluation of courses previously completed. If a teacher candidate is completing the Transition-to-Teaching program at Valparaiso University, content area courses will most likely be offered at the undergraduate level and a different tuition rate may be charged for enrollment in those courses.

The state does not mandate a pre-determined completion timeline for candidates enrolled in Transition-to-Teaching programs. At Valparaiso University, it is possible to complete education-related coursework in one fall, spring, and summer semester, with a second fall semester devoted to completion of the teaching internship. If additional content area course work is needed, the program may take longer to complete. Usually, the additional content area coursework can be completed concurrently with education coursework required in the program. However, all content and education-related courses required for licensure must be completed before a teacher candidate will be allowed to enroll in ED 626- Internship 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 is reciprocal with many other states and territories in the United States. Successful completion of this program does not lead to an advanced degree. The Graduate Coordinator in the Education Department will also provide candidates for this program with information on master's degree requirement at Valparaiso University for those who are deciding between the Transition-to-Teaching program and the M.Ed - Initial Licensure track.

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 the content area, or in a closely related content area, in which the applicant wishes to be licensed. If background in the content area is deficient, an evaluation of transcripts of previous college course work will be completed by the Graduate Coordinator to determine other content area courses that must be taken for licensure. Any required content area course work 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 GPA in the specific content area; or meeting all three of the following conditions: 2.5/4.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA and 2.5/4.0 GPA in the specific content area and five years of relevant professional experience. "Professional experience" is defined as full-time employment in an education-related field (e.g. teacher aide) or in a field in which the person intends to be licensed. These criteria are set by the State of Indiana in the Transition-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, 175; and Math, 178.
• PRAXIS II scores in the content area that meet the minimum required for state licensure. Elementary Transition-to-Teaching applicants will take the PRAXIS II exam after their course work has been completed but prior to being allowed to begin their internship experience. Passing score information can be obtained from the Department of Education: 219.464.5077.
• Proof of possession of Professional Liability Insurance, either personal insurance or insurance as a student member of AFT or NEA.
• Valid substitute teacher's license for the state of Indiana. A copy of the license must be included with application materials. Information on how to obtain Indiana substitute teaching licensure will be provided with the Transition-to-Teaching application packet.
• Documentation of a minimum of 150 clock hours of experience in a P-12 education setting. (e.g., volunteer at a public or parochial school, after school tutoring at a school in a formal tutoring program, substitute teaching, teacher aide in a public or private school, etc.). Experience must be in a school setting, and this documentation must be provided with application materials (see the application packet for more information).
• Payment of $30.00 Graduate Division application fee as well as completion of VU Graduate Application and Supplemental Education Application.
• Payment of $2,500.00 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 course work, and potential to be an effective teacher. All three referees 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.
• 300-500 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.

Students who do not have sufficient course work in the content area in which they desire to be licensed must complete additional course work at Valparaiso University. This course work may be at the undergraduate level with a different tuition rate from that charged for graduate course work.

Indiana law mandating Transition-to-Teaching programs does not require that universities offer any regular P-12 licensing program as a Transition-to-Teaching Program. If a person wishes to be licensed in art, music, or physical education in a Transition-to-Teaching Program, that person will be licensed only at the secondary level, not P-12.

In the new licensing framework, Special Education: Mild Interventions is considered a content area as are Math, Science, Social Studies, etc. Additional course work beyond the 18 or 24 credits will be required if a person wants to be licensed to teach special education - mild disabilities.

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 application packet from the Office of Graduate Studies through our website or by e-mailing Graduate.Studies@valpo.edu.