How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Indiana
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Samantha Cleaver, Ph.D.
As a special education teacher in Indiana, you have the opportunity to make a positive, lasting difference in the lives of students with disabilities. Special education teachers provide specially designed instruction to students within a range of settings, from the general classroom to schools that are specifically designed for students with disabilities.
If your goal is to teach special education, there are multiple pathways to become a teacher in the Hoosier State. And, the state has a high demand for special education teachers, which means more options for you in deciding where you want to live and teach.
Keep reading to learn more about how to earn your teaching license and become a special education teacher in Indiana.
Comprehensive Guide on How to Become a Teacher in Indiana
The process of earning a special education license in Indiana is similar to the process of earning a general teaching license, but it includes taking licensure exams that show your readiness to teach students with disabilities.
You can review a step-by-step breakdown of the requirements and process to become a teacher in the Hoosier State in our How to Become a Teacher in Indiana guide. There are a variety of pathways to earn a special education teaching license in Indiana; this guide explains requirements and offers tips and advice for an easy transition into teaching.
What Do You Need to Be a Special Education Teacher in Indiana?
Indiana teachers are required to have a bachelor’s degree and to complete an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). Teachers must also pass the required Praxis exams, complete fingerprint and background checks, earn a CPR certification, and complete training on preventing suicide, human trafficking, and child abuse/neglect.
If you are a high school graduate and you know you want to become a special-education teacher, earning a bachelor’s degree is your next step. It will likely take you about 4 years to earn a bachelor’s degree in education.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, you may be able to get into an Indiana classroom much faster. You could complete an alternative or graduate EPP and earn your license that way. For example, Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in as little as 9 months, 100% online.
It’s important to note that TEACH-NOW is an out-of-state EPP in Indiana, so you would earn your teaching license in another state and use the reciprocity process to transfer the credential.
Steps to Becoming a Special Education Teacher in Indiana
Out-of-State Preparatory Program (Reciprocity)
Indiana teachers are required to complete an EPP. If you prefer an out-of-state EPP, like Moreland’s online TEACH-NOW program, you could earn your teaching license in another state and use Indiana’s reciprocity process to transfer the credential.
Example of reciprocity via Washington, D.C.:
- Earn your bachelor’s degree. Again, this degree does not necessarily have to be in education.
- Complete an EPP. The TEACH-NOW program can be completed in 9 months.
- Pass the required certification exams for D.C. For a license in Special Education: Non-Categorical (PreK-12), for example, you might take the Special Education: Foundational Knowledge test along with the Principles of Teaching and Learning (PLT) test.
- Submit your fingerprints for a background check and apply for your D.C. teaching license.
- Apply to transfer your D.C. credential to Indiana. Indiana makes this process easier for teachers who complete an EPP, like Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program, that is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
- Complete any additional requirements. This may include earning your CPR certification or taking training on preventing suicide, human trafficking, and child abuse/neglect. If you need to take any additional Praxis exams, you would complete those at this point as well.
Your first license in Indiana is likely to be an Initial Practitioner License, which is valid for two years. After completing the Indiana Mentor and Assessment Program or a Professional Growth Plan, you could advance to the Proficient Practitioner License. For more detailed information, visit the state Department of Education website.
In-State Preparatory Program
If you choose an in-state EPP in Indiana, you’ll follow similar steps to earn your license.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree.
- Complete an EPP. Indiana has a list of approved EPPs as well as a list of approved Transition to Teaching programs for career professionals looking to move into teaching.
- Pass the required exams. For special education, you will take the Special Education: Foundational Knowledge test and may take additional exams such as Special Education: Severe to Profound, for example, or Special Education: Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, depending on the students you want to work with. The Praxis website has more information about testing.
- Complete additional training. You will need to earn a valid CPR/AED certification and take training on preventing suicide, human trafficking, and child abuse/neglect. These courses must be led by a certified provider.
- Submit your Indiana application. As part of the application process, you will submit your fingerprints for a background check.
It’s important to note this is just one example of how teachers can earn a special education license in Indiana. For more information, visit the Indiana Department of Education website.
Why Reciprocity Might Make Sense for You
Reciprocity could be the ideal path for you if:
- You’re already an out-of-state teacher. If you already hold a teaching license from another state and are making the move to Indiana, reciprocity simplifies the process of getting your new license. It’s designed to help qualified educators transition into Indiana classrooms without starting from scratch.
- You want a flexible EPP. Reciprocity allows you to enroll in an out-of-state EPP. This is ideal if you’re drawn to the convenience and structure of an out-of-state program, like Moreland University’s 9-month TEACH-NOW program.
It can help to think about your career goals and what you want from a certification program. For some educators, the in-state pathway makes more sense. For others, out-of-state ends up being the most direct and convenient route.
Can You Become a Special Education Teacher in Indiana Without a Teaching Degree?
Yes! Many Indiana teachers have a degree in a non-education field. Indiana welcomes career changers and even has multiple alternate licensure pathways to make the process easier. Especially in special education, having a range of skills is beneficial as you prepare students for college, career, and success.
Ready to take the next step? Earn your teaching license in as little as 9 months with Moreland University. Our TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program is accredited and 100% online, with rolling admissions and monthly start dates.
Once you complete the TEACH-NOW program, you have the option to add on a master’s degree in just 3 additional months.
Apply for free (the application only takes about 15 minutes), and you’ll hear back within 2 business days.
