Program Description

The Transition to Teaching Elementary Education program is most appropriate for people who already have experience in preschool to grade six educational settings. This may include working as a teaching assistant or other experiences. The program consists of 24 credit hours of educational coursework that includes 6 credit hours of reading instruction. The curriculum consists of research-oriented courses taught by School of Education faculty and school-based mentors/supervisors. Summer seminars on the Marian University campus focus on developing curriculum and instructional strategies and classroom management applications. Classroom-based practicums during the school year focus on delivery of curriculum through instruction, assessment of student learning, and cultural competency.

Admission Requirements

The following criteria are judged for admission to the program:

• Academic ability
• Empathetic attitude toward children
• Critical thinking ability
• Strong commitment to continued learning and education as a profession
• Sensitivity to cultural and language diversity
• Appreciation of the teacher’s role in society
• Relevance of experiences in working with children

The Transition to Teaching program is embedded in the Master's Bridge to Teaching program. For admission to the program, students must complete an online application and apply using the Master's Bridge to Teaching application.  In addition, candidates must submit the following information and supporting documents to the School of Education:

Official transcript(s) indicating a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0/4.0, both in the major and overall or a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0, both in the major and overall, and five (5) years of related work experience with groups of preschool to grade five children.

Official transcript(s) indicating completion of content requirements in liberal arts, mathematics, social studies, and sciences at either the graduate or undergraduate level.

Basic Skills competency requirement. There are two possible paths to meet this requirement:

1. successfully complete the PRAXIS I test in mathematics, reading, and writing with the following minimum scores: Math 175, Reading 176, and writing 172. Information on the PRAXIS I can be found at www.ets.org/praxis. Be sure to code Marian University (#1442) to receive the scores; or
2. successfully meet one of the following assessment criteria to substantiate basic skills competency:
• ACT with a score of at least 24 based on Math, Reading, Grammar, and Science
• SAT with a score of at least 1100 based on Critical Reading and Math
• GRE with a score of at least 1100 based on Verbal and Quantitative
• Anyone with a Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution is exempt
• Praxis 1 composite score of 527 based on Reading, Writing and Math

Note: ACT, SAT and GRE scores do not include writing.

Limited Criminal History Check. As of July 1, 1997, school systems throughout Indiana require Criminal History Checks for all student teachers.  You must obtain the criminal history check from the Indiana State Police.  Please follow these steps to obtain the criminal history check:

1. Complete State Form 8053.
2. Send form 8053, a self addressed, stamped envelope, and a money order or cashier's check for $7 payable to the State of Indiana to the address listed at the bottom of the form.

Resume or portfolio with supporting artifacts that indicate knowledge, dispositions, and performances according to the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) principles and Indiana Department of Education developmental and content standards for elementary teachers.

Essay that explains goals and reasons for pursuing a teaching career. This should include documentation of experience working with children in preschool to grade six in school and/or community settings, if applicable.

Program Costs

Costs include the following:

Application fee of $35.

Total cost of the Elementary program, not including application fee - $ 9,120. 

Program Structure

Transition to Teaching Elementary Education is a part-time program taken over a two-year period. A list of courses and course descriptions may be found here. 

Credit for Prior Learning

It is the goal of Marian University's Transition to Teaching program to help degreed individuals meet Indiana licensure requirements as quickly and efficiently as possible while maintaining high quality instruction. Applicants to the Transition to Teaching program may request credit for prior learning. Requests for prior learning credit will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the program director.