Determining Eligibility
The first step in determining your eligibility for the program is to submit your transcripts for a review. Click on the Contact Us Box on the left or you can email unofficial transcripts directly to Rebekah Porter at r_porter2@fhsu.edu. If you send official transcripts directly from an institution to FHSU for review, make sure you designate them to go to the Graduate School. Then ask T2T staff to obtain a copy from the Graduate School. We will review your eligibility and respond to you within 1-3 business days.
There are two options to qualify for the Transition to Teaching program.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Basic Eligibility Requirements for both options:
- Undergraduate or graduate degree
- 2.75 GPA on the most recent 60 credit hours
- Must be hired, under contract, to teach in Kansas
- Must have a passing Praxis content test in the area hired to teach
- Must teach at least 50% in the subject area you qualify for
- The program is designed to be completed in two years with the possibly of a third year, if extenuating circumstances warrant it.
Option 1 – Restricted Teaching License
In addition to the Basic Eligibility Requirements, Option 1 – Restricted Teaching License requires:
- Undergraduate or graduate degree in the content area or equivalent coursework in the area for which the restricted license is sought
- Must apply for and hold a Restricted Teaching License that will be renewed through FHSU for a second year if appropriate progress has been made.
Option 2 – Limited Use License
In addition to the Basic Eligibility Requirements, Option 2 – Limited Use License requires:
- Any bachelor’s or master’s degree qualifies, regardless of major
- Must reapply and pay a fee each year for an additional Limited Use License if appropriate progress has been made.
Guidance:
- Which license? If you are eligible for a Restricted Teaching License, that is the license you must apply for when entering the program. If you are not eligible for that license, then you must apply for a Limited Use License which has more restrictions attached to it.
- GPA: If your GPA is too low to enter the program, you must take or retake coursework to get it to the required 2.75 level prior to being eligible.
- Praxis Test: The Praxis test for the subject area you qualify for must be passed prior to receiving a Restricted Teaching License or a Limited Use License. The applicable license must be issued and in place while completing the program. You should take the test early on to allow plenty of time to retake it, if necessary, or for the results to be available. Register for the test at Praxis. Be sure to select FHSU as a score recipient when registering.
- Test Prep: Those hired and qualifying for a Restricted Teaching License may request a free credit to study and prepare for the test using 240 Tutoring. Contact Kerry Schuckman at kschuckm@fhsu.edu. Not all subjects are included in 240 Tutoring. All Praxis tests have a free interactive study guide available to you through ETS once you have registered for the test.
Ready to Begin:
Once you have passed the Praxis test and are hired to teach the subject you are eligible for, contact either Rebekah Porter or Kerry Schuckman with the name of the school and district you have been hired to teach at. They will create a Plan of Study for you and share additional information to get you started in the program. You’ll need to apply to the Graduate School and, once admitted, register for the courses identified on the Licensure Plan of Study sent to you. You must take courses in the semester indicated unless prior approval is obtained by T2T program personnel. Find out your next steps to being a Tiger.
While in the program, you will have three supervisors/mentors to provide support to you.
- A University Supervisor who will be either university faculty or your principal. They will complete a KEEP evaluation of your teaching performance twice per semester each semester that you are in the program.
- You will have a School Mentor who your district will assign to you to provide guidance and assistance to you.
- FHSU has three Faculty Mentors that are available to provide support and guidance to you in reference to professional or school teaching issues and career path concerns.
In addition, Amanda Frank, your university advisor is a great resource for technical issues and guidance regarding enrollment in classes, master’s degree requirements, etc.