Requirements

Admission Requirements

• 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 examination(s) in the subject area.
• 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 Early Childhood 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 Early Childhood students will be required to provide passing scores for Indiana’s required licensing content test(s) by the end of the fifth course in the program or will be administratively withdrawn from the program.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- Early Childhood 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 their program. Tuition and fees will be charged for repeating the course.

Clinical Experience Requirements

• All candidates must complete P-3 field experience throughout the program as well as a 14-week full time student teaching experience in a Preschool, if NAEYC accredited, or K-3
• All coursework 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