Transition to Teaching - Elementary Education

The TTT-Elementary Education program is a lock-step, graduate level, non-degree initial licensure program structured to prepare candidates to apply subject matter expertise, assessment knowledge, and differentiated instructional practices to technology rich learning environments for today’s elementary students. This program is available to candidates pursuing the Elementary Generalist K-6 teacher licensure in Indiana. Candidates who seek licensure in states other than Indiana bear the responsibility to determine whether completion of the Transition to Teaching program will meet the academic and assessment requirements of the state in which licensure is sought. Fifteen credits in this program can be applied to the Master of Science with a major in Elementary Teaching.

Upon completion of this program, candidates should be able to:

Demonstrate professional, moral, and ethical behaviors and articulate related Christ-like principles.
Demonstrate competence in the following dispositional domains: Critical Thinking, Relational, Application of Content, Reflection, Collaboration, Diversity, Ethics, Leadership, Engagement, Advocacy.
Apply content/subject matter and assessment knowledge to teaching and learning experiences using a variety of pedagogical methods and technologies at the elementary level.
Demonstrate research-based knowledge of how and when elementary children learn, addressing developmental, motivational stages and factors that affect learning for students with exceptionalities, diverse backgrounds, language differences, and learning differences.
Create and implement differentiated assessments of student learning at the elementary level that inform instruction.
Design and implement a variety of differentiated instructional strategies that consider the varied needs of all elementary children.
Create a safe and culturally responsive learning environment using research-based classroom management strategies and high standards for all elementary children.
Collaborate professionally and effectively with elementary children, colleagues, administrators, primary care provider(s), and community in written and oral forms.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must have:

Earned a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) verified on original transcripts sent by the institution directly to Indiana Wesleyan University with one of the following:
- GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale from an institution of higher education, or
- GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 point scale from an institution of higher education and five (5) years of professional experience in an education related field, or
- Proof that the individual has passed the state-approved content area examinations
A criminal history background check that meets School of Educational Leadership guidelines.
Submit a signed FERPA Release Form.

NOTE: Applicants should be aware that Indiana State Legislation has mandated that expanded background checks are required for those working with students in Indiana schools. Applicants will also be required to adhere to any additional State Mandates required for educators. Though candidates will be required to submit an initial background check that is acceptable to the university as a part of their application materials, that successful background report will only serve to gain admittance to that academic program. School corporations are governed by a locally elected Board of Trustees who set policy for their school corporation. All accepted candidates should understand that additional background checks at the candidate’s expense will most likely be required by school corporations before participating in clinical experiences.

Program Requirements

All Transition to Teaching-Elementary Education candidates will be required to provide passing scores of the state's licensing content test(s) by the end of the fifth course in the program or will be administratively withdrawn from the program.
The Transition to Teaching Certificate is a lock-step program. Candidates who are unable to complete a course or who receive an unsatisfactory grade will repeat that course before moving on in the program. Tuition and fees will be charged for repeating the course.

Clinical Experience Requirements

All candidates must complete field experiences throughout the program as well as a 14-week full-time student teaching experience in a K-6 classroom.
All course work prior to student teaching must be completed with a minimum grade of no less than "B-" in each course to be eligible to student teach.
All clinical placements will be made by the Office of Clinical Experiences, unless otherwise outlined in course curriculum. Candidates are not to contact any school or attempt to secure their own student teaching assignment at any time.
Removal from a clinical experience may result in the candidate not passing the course and/or being permanently withdrawn from the program.

Completion Requirements

To successfully complete the Certificate Program, candidates must:

Complete all course requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.00 and no grade lower than a "B-."
Successfully complete all Clinical Experience requirements associated with the program.
Provide passing scores for all required state licensure content and pedagogy examinations.
Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a certificate.

Upon completion of the Transition to Teaching-Elementary Education Program, candidates will be recommended for K-6 Educator Licensure in the state of Indiana. Candidates seeking licensure in states other than Indiana must first obtain their Indiana educator license and then seek licensure, in their state of choice, through possible reciprocity agreements.

TTT Elementary - Program of Study

Core Courses - Elementary Education

EDUT-505	Educational Psychology and Diversity for Elementary Educators	3
EDUT-510	Elementary Instructional Planning and Student Learning Processes	3
EDUT-545	Assessment and Learning in the Elementary Classroom	3
EDUT-520	Foundations in Phonics and Language Structure	3
EDUT-521	Literary Assessment and Intervention in the Elementary Classroom	3
EDUT-550	Methods of Teaching the Elementary School Curriculum	3
EDUT-548	Researched-Based Behavior Interventions and Elementary Classroom Management	3
EDUT-590	Student Teaching: Elementary Education	3
Total Credit Hours:		24