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Transition to Teaching FAQ

Who is the program for?

  • Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education who realize that they actually have a burning passion for education
  • Candidates who have some experience (three years preferred) beyond college in the degree field or are over the age of 25—exceptions may be made on an individual basis
  • Candidates with a minimum 3.0 GPA for all college work—the School of Education will compute the GPA based upon transcripts
  • Candidates with a 2.5 GPA and five (5) years experience in degree field (elementary education candidates should have experience working with elementary-aged students—secondary education candidates should have worked within their bachelor’s degree major)
  • There is no GPA requirement for candidates with master’s degree or above

How is the Transition to Teaching program structured?

  • Tranisition to Teaching24 credit hours for elementary education licensure
    • Kindergarten - 8th grade, self-contained classrooms (not departmentalized middle school classrooms)
  • 18 credit hours for secondary education licensure
    • Licensure may be more limited than for those in the traditional education program (for example, a graduate in chemistry will earn a 7th - 12th grade chemistry license rather than a 7th - 12th grade science license)
    • Secondary education licensure is available in:
      • Mathematics
      • Science (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)
      • English/Language Arts
      • Social Studies (History, Government, Geography, Psychology, and/or Sociology)
      • Business Education
      • Physical Education/Health
      • Spanish Education
  • Transition to Teaching is now the initial component to the Bethel College Master of Arts in Teaching degree
    • Elementary education students will have 24 of the 36 credit hours completed at the end of the program
    • Secondary education students will have 18 of the 36 credit hours completed at the end of the program
  • The Transition to Teaching program concentrates on pedagogy (how to teach)-it is assumed that the student already has content knowledge before being admitted into the program
    • A transcript review will be conducted to determine any gaps in content knowledge
    • All recommendations for additional content knowledge must be successfully completed prior to the beginning of the Transition to Teaching program

What are the qualifications for admission?

  • Complete a formal application form (must be received no later than February 15th).
  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended (unofficial copies must be received no later than March 1st; official copies must be received in sealed envelopes no later than April 1st.).
  • Submit a candidate profile or resume (Must be received no later than March 15th).
  • Submit an essay as to “what makes a great teacher and why I will become one” (1 – 2 pages, single spaced, must be received no later than March 15th).
  • Complete a self evaluation form (Must be received no later than March 15th).
  • Submit Indiana qualifying scores on the PRAXIS I (PPST—mathematics, reading, and writing). (Must be scheduled by March 15th)
  • Submit Indiana qualifying scores on the PRAXIS II content area (secondary education candidates only, must be scheduled by April 1st).
  • Take science and social studies content assessments, which are given at the Graduate Education office (elementary education candidates only, must be scheduled by April 1st).
  • Submit two letters of recommendation—should support the candidate’s ability to work with school-aged students.
  • Submit a current criminal history check by April 1st.
  • Successfully complete an interview—this interview will help determine if the candidate has the appropriate disposition for being a teacher (will be scheduled in the third week of March).

What is the program like?

  • Tranistion to Teaching Transition to Teaching is offered as a cohort program
  • Students go through the program sequentially and as a group
  • The program is 12 months—it begins in the last of April and is completed the following May
  • Classes are offered in the evening—usually from 6:00 to 10:00 on Monday and Thursday evenings
  • During the fall semester there is a field work requirement in addition to the evening classes
    • 120 hours for elementary education students
    • 80 hours for secondary education students
    • Bethel will assign students to a school and teacher, and the actual schedule for the hours will be worked out between the student and the teacher—this allows some flexibility in scheduling, but hours must be completed during school hours while students are present
  • During the spring semester there is a 15 week, full-time student teaching requirement in addition to the evening class
    • Bethel will coordinate the student teaching assignments
    • Bethel will attempt to obtain student teaching placements within a reasonable proximity to the student’s home but it will be within a 30 mile radius of the Bethel College campus
    • Elementary education students may be assigned two placements (a nine week and six week placement) in varying grades in different schools and districts

What are the timelines?

  • Transcripts should be provided as soon as possible so that a transcriptTeaching review can be completed
    • A minimum of a “C” (2.0) will be accepted for content requirements
    • Elementary education candidates are expected to have a strong liberal arts background—transcripts will be reviewed for the following (must have a grade of “C” or better):
      • 3 semester hours of mathematics
      • 4 semester hours of a laboratory science (must include a laboratory)
      • 9 semester hours of English (literature, composition, oral communication)
      • 6 semester hours of history (U.S. and world history)
      • 9 semester hours of social studies (government, psychology, sociology, geography, anthropology)
      • 9 semester hours of liberal arts (religion, fine arts, foreign language, philosophy, humanities)
    • Secondary education candidates’ transcripts are evaluated according to the basic requirements of students in the traditional teacher education program in that content area (must have a grade of “C” or better)
    • Includes 40 semester hours in that content area.
    • Courses satisfies the conceptual requirements for the content area.
  • Passing PRAXIS I test scores on all three tests must be received prior to the beginning of the cohort in May
    • Scores for the PRAXIS I are more easily obtained since it is a computer based test and offered at Sylvan Learning Centers
  • Passing PRAXIS II test scores (secondary education candidates only) must be received prior to the beginning of the cohort in May
    • Follow the date schedule in the bulletin fully as they are not at all flexible with their schedule

What is the cost of the program and is financial assistance available?

  • Contact the Graduate Office for current pricing.
  • Financial aid is available in the form of loans—there are no scholarships or grants available
    • Additional information regarding financial aid is available from Arlene Duerksen at 574.257.3349

How can I get additional information?

  • An appointment can be made to meet with the program director (Dr. Ralph Stutzman)
  • Application packet can be sent upon request
  • Contact Robbin Myers for more information or to schedule an appointment.