Become a Teacher
in Indiana
Certification Roadmap
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Indiana Prerequisite Coursework
Indiana Teacher Preparation
Indiana Certification Reciprocity
Indiana Teacher Salary
Indiana Required Tests
Teacher Certification Information & Links
Indiana Highlights
$48550
Avg. Elementary Teacher Salary
$46630
Avg. Secondary Teacher Salary
140%
Teacher Salary vs. State Average
15
Vacation Weeks Per Year:
To become a certified teacher in Indiana, you will need to fulfill all prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating the site with new information on a regular basis. To stay up-to-date with the latest in teacher certification, please complete the form in the right sidebar.
Indiana Prerequisite Coursework
All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Indiana, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.
This page is sponsored by Rossier Online, an innovative master level teaching degree program delivered online from the University of Southern California. Click here to learn more and become a teacher in Indiana.
Indiana Teacher Preparation
The Indiana Department of Education requires prospective teachers to complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. Teacher preparation programs in Indiana vary widely, though all accredited schools of education are required to offer the Transition to Teaching program.
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship. While the involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources specifically for teachers exist around the country. For more information on this, visit our page on scholarships for teachers. For more scholarships for teachers exclusive to the State of Indiana, visit our Indiana Teacher Scholarship page.
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Information about alternative certification in Indiana can be found here.
Indiana Certification Reciprocity
Indiana will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the Indiana Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
| Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | California |
| Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida |
| Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
| Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine |
| Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Mississippi |
| Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada |
| New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York |
| North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
| Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina |
| South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah |
| Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | Wyoming |
Indiana Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Indiana provides no support for teachers teaching in high needs schools or teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Indiana has strong induction policies in place
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in Indiana makes $48,550
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in Indiana makes $46,630
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Indiana makes 140% of the salary of the average worker in Indiana
- Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in Indiana receives 15 weeks of vacation per year
Indiana Required Tests
In order to become a certified teacher, you must satisfactorily complete the Basic Skill Test requirement or an approved alternative and any Subject Area Competence assessments needed for your desired area of instruction.
Basic Skills Test
Approved Alternatives
- 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 prior to 8/1/11
- GRE with a score of at least 301 based on Verbal and Quantitative after to 8/1/11
Subject Area Competence
Indiana Teacher Certification Information & Links
- Indiana Department of Education
- Indiana Teacher Preparation
- Troops to Teachers Indiana: In Indiana, Troops to Teachers is managed by the Indiana and Illinois Region Office
This page is sponsored by Rossier Online, an innovative master level teaching degree program delivered online from the University of Southern California. Click here to learn more and become a teacher in Indiana.
