FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
My degree and qualifications seem close to what is required, but do not completely match the list above. Are there exceptions?
If you have a question about additional coursework or employment experience that might qualify you for program admission, contact:
IU South Bend School of Education Advising Office
Telephone: (574) 520-4845
Email: catkins@iusb.edu (Please include T-to-T in the subject line)
Will I have to take any additional coursework beyond the T-to-T curriculum?
Your transcript audit may identify additional courses you need if your degree is not a match for the requirements listed above. There are no additional courses required if you meet the admission criteria.
Will I be able to continue working full-time while participating in this program?
That answer is between you and your employer. Look at the schedule of classes listed in the appropriate elementary or secondary link. Both elementary and secondary T-to-T students have some field experience that takes place during the school day. During the student teaching semester, you will be in the schools for the entire day. You will prepare lessons and grade student work in the evening so your available time for employment that semester will be limited.
What is the Praxis I exam and when do I have to take it?
A key admission criterion for the T-to-T program is a passing score on the Praxis I exam. Taking this test as soon as possible is to your advantage. You may only repeat the test once per month, so you want to allow time to retake the test and get a passing score before the Priority Application Date.
To find out more information about the Praxis I and II exams, go to: www.ets.org/praxis. On that site you will find study information and test locations, including computer-based testing centers that give you immediate results.
One local computer-based testing center is in the same building as the Sylvan Learning Center at 3005 Grape Road,Suite A in Mishawaka, Indiana 46545. The name of the business is Thompson Prometric and you can schedule an exam with them at http://www.prometric.com or by calling 800.967.1100.
What is the Praxis II exam and when do I have to take it?
Elementary T-to-T Participants: Students in the Elementary T to T program will need to pass the Praxis II before the end of the student teaching experience in order to obtain an initial license.
Secondary T-to-T Participants: Beginning with the cohort admitted in 2010, Secondary T-to-T applicants will need to provide passing scores on Praxis II prior to admission to the program. Applicants should be aware of the limited offerings of Praxis II and take the exam during 2009.
What if I fail the Praxis II exam?
Elementary T-to-T Participants: You will not be granted your initial license until you pass the Praxis II examination.
Secondary T-to-T Participants: Beginning with the cohort admitted in 2010, Secondary T-to-T applicants will need to provide passing scores on Praxis II prior to admission to the program. Students will not be admitted without passing scores on Praxis II.
Where do I find information about preparing for and scheduling the Praxis exams?
To find out more information about the Praxis I and II exams, go to: www.ets.org/praxis. On that site you will find study information and test locations, including computer-based testing centers that give you immediate results.
One local computer-based testing center is in the same building as the Sylvan Learning Center at 3005 Grape Road, Suite A in Mishawaka, Indiana 46545. The name of the business is Thompson Prometric, and you can schedule an exam with them at http://www.prometric.com or by calling 800.967.1100.
What undergraduate degree do I need to qualify?
Various degrees are required for program admission, depending on the desired licensure area.
Elementary:
- A bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited institution of higher learning with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education with a GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and five years of documented professional experience working with children.
Secondary
- A bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited institution of higher learning with an overall and major grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better in the subject the individual intends to teach
or- A graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning in the subject the individual intends to teach;
or- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education with an overall and/or major GPA of 2.5 - 2.99 on a 4.0 scale with five years of documented professional experience in the subject the individual intends to teach. Both the bachelor's degree and the work experience must be in the subject the individual intends to teach.
Is the T-to-T program considered an undergraduate degree or masters?
The Transition to Teaching program is a licensure program. No degrees are granted at the completion of coursework; however, all hours can be counted toward a Master's degree in Education.
Can I teach in other states?
To teach in another state, the state must have reciprocity with Indiana.
For information about all states' license requirements, see: http://www.alleducationschools.com/faqs/statedepartment.php
For general reciprocity information, see: http://www.teach-now.org/reciprocity.cfm
Can I get financial aid?
For information on financial aid go to: http://www.iusb.edu/~sbfinaid/ Because there are a few special considerations for T-to-T students, on form the financial aid officer provides, it is important that you indicate the application is for a T-to-T participant.
How much does it cost?
Costs for the program change as tuition increases each year. The cost for the 2008-2009 cohort, which includes the special "Transition to Teaching Fee" are as follows:
Elementary: In-state student: $8,065 plus books and materials Out-of-state student: $15,024 plus books and materials. NOTE: Because tuition changes yearly, there may be an increase for the third semester of the Elementary program.
Secondary: In-state student: $6,856 plus books and materials Out-of-state student: $12,075 plus books and materials
How long is the program?
Elementary: The T-to-T program begins in one fall semester and ends at the conclusion of the next fall semester (approximately 18 months from August to following December). There are no summer classes.
Secondary: The T-to-T program begins during the first summer session and continues through the end of the following academic year (approximately one year from May to May).
When are the classes offered?
Although all classes are offered in the evenings, some may begin as early as 4:30 PM. Elementary students are required to be in the schools for a field experience one day per week, and secondary students complete a 30-hour field experience over ten weeks fall semester.
These field experiences occur during the regular school day, generally between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM.
Can I work full-time?
If you can arrange your schedule to attend classes and participate in field experiences, you may work during the coursework semesters. The student teaching semester requires full days so working during the final semester of the program requires permission from the Director of Student Teaching and the Transition to Teaching Program Director of your program.
When does the program start?
Can I start early?
This is a cohort program so students move through the program together in a particular sequence. The elementary program begins in the fall semester of each year, and the secondary program begins with summer session I.
It is not possible to begin "early" and join a cohort.
What areas can I teach in Secondary?
T-to-T participants can only be licensed in the areas that IU South Bend offers licensure. Currently, licensure areas include:
- Mathematics
- English
- Foreign Language (French or Spanish or German)
- Social Studies (Historical Perspectives
- Science: Life Science; Physics; or Chemistry
Currently, IU South Bend does not license in the areas of music, art, business education, physical education, or other areas not listed above.
