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Grace College in Indiana offers Secondary and Elementary Education Transition to Teaching programs for students with a Bachelors degree.
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Secondary Education License: Transition to Teaching Program

  • 100% Online
  • Online

Teach a child. Change a life.

Transition to teaching is for those individuals who have a degree outside of education and now want to make an impact as a teacher. We are glad you are here!

Grace College’s Transition to Teaching program is a graduate level licensure program aimed at serving candidates with a bachelor’s degree in any area who want to become competent and well-rounded middle school or high school teachers. Upon successful completion of the program and passing required licensing tests, candidates can earn their secondary educator teaching license.

Indiana residents can teach in the classroom while completing the program through an Indiana Transition to Teaching Permit. The program is specifically designed to support candidates who are working either inside or outside of the classroom.

What if I live outside of Indiana? This program can be completed by anyone living in the United States. Indiana has reciprocal teacher licensure agreements with most states in the U.S., meaning your Indiana teaching license can be easily transferred to your state of residence. There are a few states that have additional requirements, such as passing a specific state licensure exam, but we are here to support and guide you through each step of the process. If you are a non-Indiana resident, reach out to our Transition to Teaching Director, Courtney Thrasher at thrashce@grace.edu, and she will help you find the licensing requirements for your state.

What if I want to start teaching right away? If you live in Indiana, you may be eligible for a 3 year Transition to Teaching permit! The permit allows candidates who are enrolled in our program to teach in an Indiana school while also working towards your teaching license. Contact Courtney Thrasher at thrashce@grace.edu with any questions!

All Grace College School of Education licensure programs have been approved by the Indiana State Board of Education and meet requirements for Indiana state licensure.

Secondary Education License: Transition to Teaching Program is great for those who are:
  • Effective Communicators
  • Service Oriented
  • Team Players
  • Lifelong Learners
  • Flexible Thinkers
  • Next Start Date

    June 30, 2025

  • Course Delivery

    100% Online with Student Teaching

  • Credit Hours

    18

  • Total Program Price

    $7,700

  • Degree Type

    Licensure Programs

You can become a secondary teacher in these content areas and more:
  • Art
  • Business
  • Mathematics
  • Spanish
  • Marketing
  • Psychology
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
Featured Staff Member
Courtney Thrasher

M.Ed.

Alternative Program and Partnership Director

Featured Staff Member
Cheryl Bremer Dean School of Education; Professor of Education
Cheryl Bremer

Ed.D.

Dean School of Education; Professor of Education

Admission Requirements

To be eligible to participate in a Transition to Teaching program in secondary education within the state of Indiana, applicants must meet one of the three conditions:

  • Bachelor’s degree with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale from an accredited postsecondary educational institution
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution with a GPA of at least 2.5 AND provide evidence of 5 years RELEVANT professional experience
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution AND proof of passing state approved secondary content area assessment in the subject area the candidate wants to teach.

 

If you are eligible under condition #1 (you have a bachelor’s degree and your GPA is 3.0 or higher), submit your transcripts to Grace College.

If you are eligible under condition #2 (you have a bachelor’s degree and your GPA is between 2.5 to 2.9 on a 4.0 scale, AND you have worked in a related field/education for at least five years, submit your transcripts to Grace College and a letter of reference from your employer providing the following details (your role, number of years you were in that role, how it is relevant to teaching).

If you do not have/did not have a supervisor to provide a reference for this experience (i.e., self-employed, unattainable contact information) submit a letter/email from yourself along with employment evidence to Grace College admissions. In the letter/email provide the following information: 1) your name and contact information along with your professional experience (where you worked- name of the employer, address, any contact information), 2) years you worked at this location/employer, 3) your role (what you did relevant to teaching), 4) evidence of your employment or self-employment in this role (i.e., tax documents, pay receipts/stubs, etc.). The Director of Alternative Programming & Partnerships at Grace College will evaluate your professional experience as it relates to the elementary education licensure requirements in consideration of your eligibility. You will be contacted for further information and if additional verification is required.

If you are eligible under condition #3 (you have a bachelor’s degree) – Submit your transcripts to Grace College. Complete and pass the assessments required and submit scores to Grace College

These exams are offered by Praxis. Information on when, where, and the costs for these exams is available here: https://www.ets.org/praxis/site/test-takers/where-to-test.html

Do I have to have a degree to apply?

Yes. You need to have a bachelor’s degree earned from an accredited institution.

Do I need to have a certain GPA to be accepted?

If you have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited postsecondary institution we can consider your GPA and how you might qualify for admittance to the Grace Transition to Teaching program based on the following Indiana state requirements for acceptance:

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale; or
  • Both a baccalaureate degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution with a grade point average of at least 2.50 on a 4.0 point scale, and five (5) years of professional experience; or
  • Both a baccalaureate degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution, and proof of passing state approved content area examination(s) in the subject area.
  • Graduate degree in subject area or related field in which the candidate wants to teach
Can I continue to work or teach?

Yes, you can continue to work while taking these courses. You will likely need to make other arrangements during your final session when you are student teaching for 10 weeks.

You may be eligible for a Transition to Teaching permit allowing you to teach and work as a classroom teacher while completing the program. The permit is available to those formally accepted and enrolled in an approved Indiana T2T program. The permit allows you to teach for 3 years in the area in which you are seeking licensure while you complete your T2T program.

This link will give you more specific information and instructions for the Indiana Department of Education. Further questions can be directed to our Transition to Teaching Director, Courtney Thrasher at thrashce@grace.edu.

When does my program start?

The next cohort begins June 30, 2025.

How do I get my textbooks?

Students are responsible for getting their own textbooks.

Secondary Program Textbook List and Links

By clicking on the book link, you will be directed to where the book is sold on Amazon.com. You are free to purchase the book from your preferred seller. Used books are acceptable as long as it is the same edition as the listed book.

What is the drop/withdrawal policy?

Withdrawal Refund Schedule: 

Withdrawal 1-7 days after course has begun= 100% tuition refund

Withdrawal 8-14 days after course has begun= 50% tuition refund

Withdrawal 15 days and beyond after course has begun= non refundable

Note: Day refers to the number of calendar days from the first official day of classes for the session. Individuals who withdraw within the first seven days will receive a full refund.

See the Grace College Online Handbook for guidance on withdrawing from a course.

What are the courses like?

Courses are taught completely online through Canvas, our virtual course management system.

The courses are delivered in a weekly module format. Each week you will have course readings, a direct instructional resource (video, voiced over presentation, etc.) from your professor, a discussion or forum post, and at least one culminating assignment. There may be other assignments or requirements throughout the course as well. 

We are committed to equipping our students to become competent and capable classroom teachers. Our program is centered around student learning and support, so we are with you every step of the way to assist or help as needed.

Is Grace College School of Education accredited?

Yes, Grace College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

The School of Education is accredited by CAEP and ACSI. In addition, the School of Education was awarded the prestigious 2023 Frank Murray Recognition for Continuous Improvement from CAEP.

How much time is required?

The courses are graduate-level and require dedicated time and effort to learn the material and complete the required assignments. On average, it is suggested a student will spend 3 hours of work time for every one hour of course credit. The Transition to Teaching courses are worth 3 credit hours each, meaning time spent can be calculated by multiplying 3 credit hours by 3 hours of work equaling 9 hours per week. For an 8 week course, the average time needed to complete the course is 72 hours total. 

What technology is needed?
What are the term dates?

Click here for the 2025-2026 Secondary Course Schedule

How do I pay for the program?

The Office of Student Financial Aid Services is responsible for giving financial aid information to students, as well as administering all the financial aid programs at Grace. If you have any questions about scholarships, grants or loans, the financial aid staff would be happy to assist you. You can reach out to them at financialaid@grace.edu or (800) 544-7223, ext. 6162. 

For more information, go to the Grace College Financial Aid and Scholarship website.

For a potential scholarship opportunity for Indiana residents, contact Courtney Thrasher at thrashce@grace.edu.

For a general graduate scholarship search, go here.

Does Grace accept transfer credit for the Transition to Teaching program?

We do accept transfer credits from other Transition to Teaching programs and review each situation on a case by case basis following IDOE guidelines. Please reach out to Courtney Thrasher at thrashce@grace.edu with specific transfer credit questions.

Does this program have student teaching or field experience?

Yes, there is a student teaching as a culminating experience to end the program. This is an in person teaching experience that also includes an online seminar component as a well as a Teacher Work Sample project. During student teaching, the candidate is supported by a college supervisor and classroom supervisor.

No formal field experience is required. Some of our courses do require you to teach or interact with a child or small group, but you are able to do this around your schedule. Each assignment requiring the candidate to teach or interact with children includes an option for those already in a school setting and those who are not in a school setting. We want our program to be as accessible as possible for those outside of the traditional education field.

Do I have to pass state tests?

Yes, all candidates must pass content and pedagogy tests through practice before receiving licensure
from the Indiana Department of Education.

Secondary education licensure requires taking and passing Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT):
Grades 7-12 (5624) and then the corresponding licensure test(s) for your desired content area. This link to the Praxis website will tell you what content area test(s) are needed.

Can I transfer my Indiana state teaching license to another state?

Yes, many states have reciprocity agreements which ease the transfer of an Indiana state teaching license to another state. Some states only allow for a temporary teaching license while the out-of-state licensed teacher completes an application and additional state specific requirements for a license in that state. Contact Florell Hand at handfa@grace.edu with any questions about licensing. 

How do I access Canvas?

You can access Canvas by logging into the Grace portal at portal.grace.edu and choosing the Canvas (LMS) link on the left side of the screen. You can also access Canvas directly at grace.instructure.com. 

How do I reset my password?

Go to grace.instructure.com and choose the Forgot Password link. It will take you through the steps of resetting your password. 

In which time zone are course materials due?

All course materials (assignments, quizzes, exams, etc.) are due in Eastern Standard Time. 

How do I request a Grace College Transcript?

Follow this link to order a Grace College transcript or request it be sent to your needed organization or institution. 

You can view your unofficial transcript on the Grace Portal at portal.grace.edu. 

Diverse Metrics of Success

A

the grade received from Niche.com for our top-rated Winona Lake community

265

hands-on learning opportunities on campus and in the community

100+

Programs

Why is there a National Teacher Shortage? Learn about the Grace College School of Education and our Christian path for training teachers.
Why Should I Get a Secondary Education Degree at Grace College

Looking for a scholarship specifically for this program?

Contact Courtney Thrasher at thrashce@grace.edu for more information

See Scholarship Opportunity

Enrollment Deposit

Upon acceptance, submit your $100 Enrollment Deposit to accept your offer of admission. Your $100 deposit will be credited to your student account. Welcome to the Grace College community!

*Please note: Acceptance is given pending the receipt of a clear background check for you, which Grace College will request. Once this is received, you will be officially enrolled in the program. Grace College will have a link emailed and texted to you for you to complete the background check requirement. It is free and takes less than 5 minutes to complete.

Submit Your Deposit

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“Being a transfer student, I felt God leading me to Grace because of its great academic programs, amazing professors, and its ever-present integration of faith and learning.”

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Grant Lawrence

Current Grace College Student

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