Transition to Teaching

Transition to Teaching

Non-Degree, Licensure Program

The Transition to Teaching (T2T) program assists individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree and are seeking and initial teaching license. Oakland City University offers the following T2T options:

  • Elementary Education
  • Secondary Education
  • Special Education

OCU’s Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) approved T2T programs are dedicated to meeting the IDOE approval which is consistent with state and national standards.  With successful completion of coursework and passing scores on both State required content and pedagogy assessments, the licensing process can begin. The State also requires a valid CPR, AED, and suicide prevention training certification to be completed for an initial teaching license.

Girls talking

Licensure Programs

Elementary Education (K-6)

This licensure program’s goal it to provide a forum for applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree and are seeking to teach in an elementary setting.

Secondary Education (5-12)

This licensure program is offered to those with a bachelor’s degree in a content area.

Special Education (P-12)

This licensure program’s goal is to provide a forum for applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree and are seeking licensure in Special Education.

Elementary Education Courses

  • Integrated Elementary Curriculum I and II (EDUC 506* and EDUC 507*
  • Inclusive Classroom (EDUC 510
  • Elementary Classroom Management (EDUC 557e)
  • Teaching and Remediation of Reading (EDUC 572)
  • Internship (EDUC 596e)
  • Culturally Responsive Instruction for the 21st Century (EDUC 610*)
  • Advanced Reading & Language Arts (EDUC 650)

*CAEP Key Assessment Course

Secondary Education Courses

  • Introduction to the Profession (EDUC 500)
  • Inclusive Classroom (EDUC 510)
  • Secondary Classroom Management (EDUC 557s)
  • MS/HS Teaching Strategies & Assessment (EDUC 565)
  • Reading Problems in the Content Area (EDUC 575)
  • Internship (EDUC 596s*)

*CAEP Key Assessment Course

Special Education Courses

  • Special Education Law (SPED 506)
  • Collaboration & Consultation (SPED 565)
  • Methods & Materials for Exceptional Learners (SPED 575)
  • Diagnostic Assessment of Exceptional Learners (SPED 601)
  • Classroom Management (Elementary or Secondary) (EDUC 557e or EDUC 557s)
  • Teaching and Remediation of Reading (EDUC 572)
  • Reading Problems in the Content Area (EDUC 575)
  • Internship (EDUC 596e* or EDUC 596s*)

Admissions Requirements

Indiana Requirements

Elementary, Secondary and Special Education

Transition to Teaching – Secondary Education program is based on the premise that the candidate already has content knowledge in the licensing area. Candidates applying for admission to T2T –Secondary Education who do not have content knowledge in the licensing area OR their bachelor’s degree does not match their desired area of license will be required to pass the Indiana Praxis assessment (content test) prior to admission. The programs consist of 18 hours of coursework for secondary education, 24 hours for elementary education, and 24 hours for special education. No education courses are required as prerequisites for admission. In order to be eligible for a Transition to Teaching (T2T) permit, candidates must be enrolled in an Indiana college/university T2T program and hired by an Indiana School Corporation.

Admission Requirements for T2T

INDIANA REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Prospective Indiana educators are required to have earned a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution prior to admission to Indiana educator preparation programs. Requirements are:

Elementary Education Requirements (K-6)

  • 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, andproof of passing state approved content area examination(s) in the subject area.

Secondary Education Requirements (5-12)

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0-point scale and the degree corresponds to the subject content area in which the applicant seeks to be licensed; or
  • Graduate degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the subject area or related field in which the person wants to teach; 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 the degree corresponds to the subject content area in which the applicant seeks to be licensed, 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.

Special Education Requirements (K-12)

  • 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.
  1. Basic Skills: Core Academic Skills for Educators

Prospective Indiana educators are required to demonstrate Basic Skills: Core Academic Skills for Educators prior to admission to Indiana educator preparation programs which are endorsed by CAEP and approved by IDOE for demonstrating Standard 3, Component 3.2. Note that the requirements for basic skills competency must be met for each content area separately – reading, mathematics, and writing.

  • Candidates have the option of achieving passing Praxis Core® scores as one means for demonstrating Basic Skills: Core Academic Skills for Educators as follows:

License Content

Praxis Test Code

Praxis Test Name

Cut Score

Mathematics

5752

Core Academic Skills for Educators:  Mathematics

150

Reading

5713

Core Academic Skills for Educators:  Reading

156

Writing

5723

Core Academic Skills for Educators: 

162

  • Candidates have the option of achieving passing ACT® scores as one means for demonstrating Basic Skills: Core Academic Skills for Educators with a score of at least 21 in the reading and mathematics content.
  • Candidates have the option of achieving passing SAT® scores as one means for demonstrating Basic Skills: Core Academic Skills for Educators with a score of at least 540 in evidence-based reading and writing and at least a score of 530 in mathematics.

Oakland City University Admission Requirements for T2T:

  1. OCU Graduate Application
  2. Concentration Declaration
  3. Current resume
  4. Official transcript(s) from all undergraduate and graduate coursework (official means it is sent directly to OCU from the university or college.
  5. Background check (OCU will provide this)

Oakland City University Admission Requirements for MAT:

  1. OCU Graduate Application
  2. Concentration Declaration
  3. Current resume
  4. Official transcript(s) from all undergraduate and graduate institutions of study
  5. Background check (OCU will provide this)
  6. Two (2) character references from persons able to attest to the candidate’s suitability as a prospective graduate teacher
  7. Writing sample reflecting personal goals with the objectives of the MAT program as reflected in the OCU Mission Statement

Indiana License Requirements

  1. Under the current licensing rules, REPA/REPA3, a pedagogy/developmental exam is required for all individuals that are applying for their first initial practitioner instructional license in addition to any required content exams. The pedagogy exams cover the strategies of teaching such as Methodology, Classroom Management, Student Development and Diversity, Learning Processes, Learning Environment, Instructional Planning, Assessments, and the Professional Environment as a teacher at the respective developmental levels. These are topics that are covered in a teacher preparation program. Candidates must pass Praxis Content tests AND the developmental (pedagogy) area assessment that matches the grade level for which they plan to teach.  These can be taken during or after the teaching field experience (internship).

License Content Area

Praxis® Test Code

Praxis® Test Name

Cut Score

Elementary Education

5622

Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6

160

Secondary Education

5625

Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12

157

All Grade

5625

Principles of Learning and Teaching: PreK-12

157

  1. Pass the Praxis® Content Area and pedagogical assessments. Go to for a listing of the Praxis® at https://www.ets.org/praxis.
  2. Certification of CPR/AED/Heimlich training. Go to https://www.in.gov/doe/educators/educator-licensing/  for a list of centers for training centers.
  3. Certification of suicide prevention training. Click https://www.in.gov/doe/educators/educator-licensing/ for a list of centers for training and certification.

Not quite ready to apply?

Learn more about OCU.