Become a teacher in Indiana without a teaching degree by obtaining an Emergency Permit, enrolling in an alternative certification program like Transition to Teaching (T2T), or completing the Career Specialist Permit pathway. These options require a bachelor’s degree in any field and meeting state-specific training or assessment criteria.
Overview: How You Can Teach in Indiana Without a Teaching Degree
You can teach in Indiana without a traditional teaching degree by qualifying for an alternative license. These include:
- Transition to Teaching (T2T)
- Alternative teacher certification programs
- Career Specialist or Workplace Specialist permits
- Emergency Permits
Each path requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school, CPR certification, and completion of specific pedagogy tests or an approved educator preparation program. Some paths allow you to begin teaching immediately while completing training.
Standard Indiana Teaching License Requirements
Indiana requires all licensed teachers to have content knowledge, training, and testing.
Core Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Completion of an approved educator preparation program
- Passing score on Praxis content exams or state-approved subject tests
- Valid CPR certification and suicide prevention training
- Clean criminal background check
Traditionally prepared classroom teachers complete these through university teacher education programs, but alternative routes offer different entry points.
Alternative Licensure Options in Indiana
Indiana offers multiple alternative teacher certification pathways. These options let you teach without a degree in education:
| Pathway | Requirements | Time to Certification | Notes/Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transition to Teaching | Bachelor’s degree, enroll in T2T program, hired by school, pass exams | 1–2 semesters, or 1 year | Must be enrolled in approved program, get 3-year non-renewable permit, teach while fulfilling reqs |
| Alternative Certification | Bachelor’s degree, complete approved program, pass exams, CPR, suicide prevention | Varies (6–24 months) | Can include paid classroom placements; may lead to certificate or master’s |
| Advanced Degree Pathway | Master’s degree or higher, teach for 1 academic year, pass content exams | 1 year teaching + exams | For middle/high school; CPR and suicide prevention required |
| Career Specialist/Workplace Specialist | Varies (some require only industry experience) | Varies | For CTE fields; 4,000 hours industry experience for some roles |
You must still meet testing requirements, provide proof of CPR certification, and sometimes complete a student teaching experience.
Which Degrees Qualify You for Teaching in Indiana?
Indiana allows teaching candidates with any bachelor’s degree to enter alternative routes.
Common accepted bachelor’s degrees:
- Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics (STEM)
- English, History, Spanish
- Business, Marketing, Computer Education
If your degree matches a specific subject and grade level, you can begin teaching in that area. You must also complete pedagogy tests and a teacher preparation program.
For Career and Technical Education, Indiana offers the Workplace Specialist license for those with:
- 4,000+ hours of industry experience in the past seven years
- Documented expertise in fields like automotive, welding, or IT
These options do not require a traditional teaching degree.
Indiana Testing and Training Requirements
All new teachers in Indiana must pass exams and complete health and safety training.
Required assessments:
- Praxis Content Exam or Indiana CORE exams in subject area
- Pedagogy tests if not completed through an educator preparation program
- CPR/AED/Heimlich certification
- Suicide prevention training (state-approved)
These are mandatory, even if you are teaching under an Emergency Permit or alternative route. You must upload your valid CPR certification and training proof to the Indiana Department of Education system.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply Without a Teaching Degree
Follow these steps to get licensed through an alternative teaching program in Indiana:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in any field
- Choose your alternative teaching program
- Approved T2T or alternative teacher preparation program
- Apply to a school district
- Some programs require employment first
- Pass all required content exams
- Subject-specific and pedagogy tests
- Get your CPR certification and suicide prevention certificate
- Submit your application via the LVIS portal
- The Licensing Verification and Information System (LVIS) is run by the Indiana Department of Education
- Start teaching with your initial license or permit
- Some programs let you teach while completing requirements
Teaching Career Outlook and Final Tips
Teaching careers in Indiana offer strong entry points for non-traditional candidates. Shortages in STEM, special education, and technical education increase your hiring potential.
Tips for success:
- Focus on middle school or high school subject areas
- Look for programs with classroom teaching experience
- Choose a regionally or nationally accredited provider
- Stay current with CPR and required training renewals
- Track progress and documents in your LVIS profile
Indiana offers real opportunities for those changing careers, especially if you want to begin teaching immediately.
Popular Questions
Below are the most popular we get asked about in regards to Becoming a Teacher in Indiana
1. Can I teach at any grade level in Indiana without a traditional teaching degree?
No. You can teach middle or high school with a non-education degree. Teaching elementary school usually requires additional training in elementary education or a master’s degree in early childhood education.
2. Are there alternative programs that let me teach while I earn certification?
Yes. Many Transition to Teaching and alternative teacher preparation programs allow full-time classroom teaching while completing coursework. You earn a regular salary during this time.
3. What training is required for all new teachers in Indiana?
You must complete a valid CPR/AED/Heimlich course and suicide prevention training, even if you’re teaching under a permit or alternate certification.
4. Can I use a master’s degree in another field to qualify for teaching?
Yes. The Advanced Degree Pathway allows this. You need at least one academic year of teaching experience at the college or secondary level and must pass content exams.
5. Is there a path for professionals with industry experience but no degree in teaching?
Yes. The Career Specialist Permit and Workplace Specialist license allow industry professionals to teach in career and technical education (CTE) fields like IT, construction, or healthcare.
6. Can I complete an Indiana teaching program online?
Yes. Indiana accepts online alternative teacher preparation programs as long as they are approved by the Indiana Department of Education. Check the official DOE list before enrolling.
