Become a Teacher in Indiana

Teaching in Indiana

Indiana Teacher Shortage Areas

The United States Department of Education defines a Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) as a subject matter or grade level within a state in which there is an inadequate supply of elementary or secondary teachers.  The shortage may be caused by teaching positions that are unfilled or are filled by teachers who have temporary certification or teach in in academic subject other than their area of preparation.  According to a report by the USDE Office of Postsecondary Education, Indiana has the following Teacher Shortage Areas:

Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Indiana

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. Teach.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 11/3/2016

To earn an initial teaching certification in the state of Indiana, teaching candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Step One: Complete a bachelor’s degree and other prerequisite coursework required.
• Step Two: Complete a state-approved teacher preparation program.
• Step Three: Pass required exams.
• Step Four: Submit a Indiana teaching credential application.

Continue below for more information.

Earn Your Indiana Teaching Credential

To earn your Indiana teaching credential you will have to complete the appropriate amount of undergraduate coursework and standardized tests, as well as an accredited certification program. Indiana has two levels of licensure: Initial Practitioner and Proficient Practitioner. Learn more about getting your Teaching Credential in Indiana on the Indiana Department of Education website. Learn more about getting your teaching credential on Teach.com.

Step One: Prerequisite Coursework in Indiana

A Bachelor’s degree is required in every state. Indiana has no specific credit hour requirements, but does require a minor in a content area along with the relevant major.  Indiana requires a supervised field experience in the classroom with responsibility for direct student instruction in order to qualify for an Initial Practitioner certificate. Check with the Department of Education or your teacher preparation program for more information. 

Step Two: Indiana Teacher Certification Programs

To earn your teaching credential you will have to complete the appropriate amount of undergraduate coursework and standardized tests, as well as an accredited certification program. A list of accredited teacher preparation programs in Indiana can be found on the Indiana Department of Education Educator Preparation Programs page.

Step Three: Required Tests for Indiana

Teacher candidates in Indiana must pass the Core Academic Skills Assessment (CASA), which tests reading, mathematics and writing.  In addition, he or she must pass Development (Pedagogy) Area Assessment(s) according to the desired grade and/or subject area.

For more information visit the Indiana Department of Education Educator Testing page.

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Alternative Teacher Certification in Indiana

All accredited teacher preparation programs in Indiana are required to offer Transition to Teaching, a program that helps professionals with the appropriate content knowledge join the teaching profession. Indiana also offers the Indianapolis Teaching Fellows program which offers training, support, and the opportunity to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching for teachers of math, science, Spanish and special education.

For more alternative certification options, visit the Indiana Department of Education Office of Educator Effectiveness and Licensing page. Veterans may also be eligible for the Indiana Troops to Teachers program.

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Benefits of a Master's Degree in Indiana

It is no longer enough to just have years of experience for teaching. After No Child Left Behind and other academic quantification measures, the careers of teachers increasingly depend on their results in the classroom. A master's degree in the field of education will give you more educational theory and classroom skills, as well as more hands-on student teaching experience with a mentor.

After a Master's program, you will be able to achieve better results in the classroom and have more job security and higher pay. According to Indianapublicmedia.org, in 2012, the average salary for a teacher in Indiana with a Master’s was $3,830 more than those with only a Bachelor’s.

Learn more about the benefits of a Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education on Teach.com.

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Certification Reciprocity in Indiana

Interstate reciprocity is a program that allows teachers certified in one state to teach in another state. To find out which other state teaching licenses can be used in Indiana, visit the Teach.com reciprocity page. Or, for more specific questions about your situation, contact the Indiana Department of Education.

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Financial Aid in Indiana

Indiana residents are eligible for the Applegate/Jackson/Parks Future Teacher Scholarship, as well as the TEACH Grant, which gives financial aid to students in return for an agreement to teach in a high-need school.

Learn more about how to finance your Master's degree on Teach.com.

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Indiana Teacher Salary and Incentives

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, the average teacher in Indiana makes $50,065 per year. Teacher salaries in Indiana are up to the discretion of the school district. More information on teacher salaries can be found on the Indiana Department of Education website.

Learn more about teacher salaries on Teach.com.

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Indiana Teacher Benefits and Retirement

Teachers in Indiana are vested in the retirement system after 10 years of service. Retirement benefits are handled through the Teachers Retirement Fund, a division of the Indiana Public Retirement System. Indiana offers additional benefits for teachers, including health and dental benefits according to the county or school district. Learn more about benefits for teachers for Teach.com. 

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Professional Development for Teachers in Indiana

Indiana offers a Professional Growth Plan, through which teachers attend conferences and workshops to gain Professional Growth Points (PGPs). Teachers must gain at least 90 PGPs, 6 credit hours of coursework or complete the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Certification program to renew their teaching license. Beginning teachers join the Indiana Mentorship and Assessment Program (IMAP), receiving 2  years of intensive mentorship to integrate them into their school.

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Indiana Teaching Jobs

The Indiana Department of Education Job Site assists teachers in finding job opportunities. Aspiring teachers can use the new job search engine to find job openings throughout the state. Teacher shortages have made Indiana a popular state for highly qualified beginning teachers.

Learn more about finding a teaching job on Teach.com.

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Indiana Teacher Certification Information & Links

• Indiana Department of Education
• Office of Educator Effectiveness and Licensing
• Transition to Teaching
• Indiana Public Retirement System
• Indiana Department of Education Job Site

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