Choose a New Path
Is life directing you down a new path? Take your skills and career experiences to Indiana University Kokomo and become a teacher through one of our Transition to Teaching (T2T) programs.
Transition to Teaching Scholarships
Becoming a teacher takes dedication and drive. Scholarships and financial support are available to those looking to take the first step in this journey, but have concerns over the cost of a degree. To learn more about available opportunities and to apply, explore the links below.
The Transition to Teaching Scholarship provides students interested in pursuing a career in education the opportunity to earn a one-time, non-renewable scholarship of up to $10,000. In exchange, students agree to teach for five years at an eligible Indiana school or repay the corresponding, prorated amount of the scholarship.
- The $10,000 is applicable to the cost of the Transition to Teaching program from July 1, 2024 to August 1, 2025 (as defined in IC 21-12-16-8.5).
- If the Transition to Teaching Program costs less than $10,000, the Transition to Teaching Scholarship will cover the cost of the program plus $37.50, which is the total cost for the initial practitioner licensure.
Program Requirements:
To qualify, a student must:
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited postsecondary four-year institution;
- Have enrolled in a Transition to Teaching program described in IC 20-28-4;
- Be employed or volunteer at a K-12 school in the state of Indiana;
- Agree in writing to:
- Complete a Transition to Teaching program described in IC 20-28-4 and obtain an initial practitioner license under IC 20-28; and
- Teach for at least five (5) years in a public school or an eligible school (as defined in IC 20-51-1-4.7) in Indiana after obtaining the initial practitioner license under IC 20-28-4-6;
- Be a member of a household with an annual income of $100,000 or less; and
- Meet any other criteria established by the Commission.
The Future Educator Scholarship is available to incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students. You must be pursuing a degree in education to be eligible for this award.
A total of $10,000 is awarded to aspiring K-12 educators through the annual Teachers Test Prep “Pass the Torch” Teacher Scholarships program – one $5,000 scholarship is given to a recipient planning a career in elementary education, and one $5,000 scholarship is granted to a recipient planning a career in secondary education.
Funds are awarded directly to the recipients to help pay for living expenses that financial aid typically doesn’t cover, allowing them to focus more time on preparing to become a credentialed teacher.
All finalists receive a $100 Amazon gift card and one year of free access to any Teacher Test Prep Core Plus Online Prep Programs to help them pass the credentialing exams required by their state. Programs are offered for CBEST, CPACE, CSET, edTPA, FTCE, ParaPro, Praxis, and RICA.
To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in a teacher preparation program in the United States for the upcoming academic year and be able to demonstrate financial need. Evidence of financial need, such as the receipt of Federal Student Aid (FSA), will be requested when finalists are notified.
Certain scholarships through the Indiana University Kokomo Foundation are available to graduate students in the School of Education. Eligible students will be automatically considered upon completing the General Scholarship Application.
Becoming a teacher doesn’t have to break the bank. Teach.org offers resources for scholarships and financial aid for aspiring instructors.
Transition to Teaching – Elementary
A child’s first teachers play a fundamental role in their success. If you are ready to impact the lives of young learners, the Elementary T2T program is the path for you. This fast-paced program is designed for those ready to make a career change, or for teachers on emergency permits. It combines online courses, hybrid classes, and workshops to give you the skills and knowledge you need to become a licensed K-6 teacher in Indiana. The Elementary T2T program is a 24-credit hour program. Graduate tuition per-credit hours can be found at the Office of the Bursar. Additional fees apply for select coursework. The most recent requirements and courses for the Transition to Teaching programs can be found in the Academic Bulletin
Elementary T2T candidates must meet one of the following admissions requirements:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited postsecondary education institution with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or
- Hold both a baccalaureate degree from an accredited postsecondary education institution with a grade point average of at least 2.50 on a 4.0 scale and five years of professional experience, or
- Hold both a baccalaureate degree from an accredited postsecondary education institution and proof of passing state-approved content area examination(s) in the subject area(s). A list of license content areas and corresponding Praxis tests can be found on the ETS Praxis Test: Indiana website.
Starting Semester | Deadline |
Fall | June 30 (preferred) |
Spring | November 30 (preferred) |
Transition to Teaching – Secondary
Are you interested in working with older students? Then the secondary T2T program may be the path for you. Teachers on emergency license, or those looking to switch careers, can apply for this 18-credit hour program. Most coursework is provided online, allowing a convenient start to your journey toward becoming a licensed middle or high school teacher.
Upon completion of this program, you will have the knowledge and skills necessary to become a successful secondary educator, including knowledge of curriculum, instructional practices, assessment, and professionalism. Graduate tuition per-credit hours can be found at the Office of the Bursar. Additional fees apply for select coursework.
Secondary T2T program candidates must meet one of the following admissions requirements:
- Hold an earned bachelor’s degree in the subject area the individual intends to teach with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited institution of higher education, or
- Hold a graduate degree from an accredited postsecondary education institution in the subject area the individual intends to teach or a related field, or
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the subject area the individual intends to teach with a grade point average of at least 2.50 on a 4.0 scale and five years of professional experience, or
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited postsecondary education institution and have earned a passing score on the state-approved content area examination in the subject area the individual intends to teach.
Starting Semester | Deadline |
Fall | June 30 (preferred) |
Spring | November 30 (preferred) |
Summer | March 30 (preferred) |
The Secondary T2T program prepares you for a single teaching license in the state of Indiana, covering junior high/middle school and high school. Your license will include your designated content field, depending on your program of study. Many, but not all, content areas can be added to a valid existing license by testing alone. A full list of license content areas and corresponding Praxis can be found on the ETS Praxis Test: Indiana website.
Content areas include:
- English/Language Arts/Journalism
- Journalism
- Mathematics
- Social Studies (Economics, Geographical Perspectives, Government and Citizenship, Historical Perspectives, Psychology, and Sociology)
- Science (Chemistry, Earth/Space, Life Science, Physical Science and Physics)
- World Languages
- Business
- Career and Technical Education
- Visual Arts (Grades 5-12 or P-12 option)
- Music Education (Grades 5-12 or P-12 option)
- Physical Education (Grades 5-12 or P-12 option)
- Computer Science (Grades 5-12 or P-12 option)
Need financial support?
We understand that the cost of a degree can be intimidating, or even could prevent you from considering a degree. IU Kokomo and the School of Education offer resources for students in need of financial support, including scholarships.
The Indiana University Net Price Calculator provides you with an estimated net cost of attending IU Kokomo after grants and scholarships. We recommend that you have your most recent tax return, W-2s, bank statements, and investment statements available to improve the accuracy of the calculator.
Contact us
If you have questions about these programs, licensing, or how to get started on your path toward becoming a teacher, we are here to help! Reach out through our interest form and we’ll be in touch with you soon. We can’t wait to meet you and help you take the next step toward your future success as a teacher!