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Certificate in
Transition to Teaching in Elementary Education

This program is designed for those who want to be elementary teachers but have bachelor’s degrees in non-education fields. By building a solid foundation in elementary education, it will prepare you for a career of working with young learners.

Total cost at ACE

$7,750

(tuition + fees)

Applications due August 14 for August 17, 2020 Term

Estimated Time to Completion:
14 - 15 Months

View Tuition Details

Key Features

  • Flexible: Study on your schedule. Our online format allows you to plan your coursework around your life.
  • Hands-on Learning: To help you transition to a career in teaching, you’ll complete field experiences/observations throughout the program and end with student teaching. This hands-on experience will make sure you’re ready to teach.
  • State-Approved: This program is approved to lead to an initial elementary generalist teacher license in Indiana.
  • Transferable: If you choose to continue your education, you can apply all of the credits earned in this certificate program toward our M.A. in Elementary Teaching and get your degree faster.

For more information about this program, view the College Catalog. You can also ask questions anytime via chat.

See Student Experience
See Student Experience

View Academic Calendar
View Academic Calendar

Understand Admission Requirements
Understand Admission Requirements

Explore Payment Options
Explore Payment Options

Department Chair

Tiffany Hamlett, Ph.D.
Administrative Faculty and Chair,
Department of Teaching and Learning

Dr. Tiffany Hamlett has worked in higher education for eight years in various educational fields. Her background includes early childhood education, curriculum development, and research methods. In addition, she serves as a reviewer for Social Development and the Southern Early Childhood Association. She is particularly interested in studying developmentally appropriate practice, lifespan development, and constructivist teaching practices.

Quality Without Question

We are, and have always been, regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This accreditation guarantees that our programs meet certain levels of quality standards.   

A Note About Licensure:

Students who complete certificates that are approved to lead to licensure, endorsement, or certification may be subject to additional requirements for the receipt of initial licensure, endorsement, or certification in the state in which they intend to teach or administrate.

Students are strongly encouraged to check licensure requirements in the state in which they intend to teach or administrate to determine whether they are eligible for licensure, endorsement, or certification.

It is vitally important that students know and be continually aware of the requirements for licensure in their state. State licensing requirements and licensing agency information may be found here.

Home / Teaching and Learning / Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Elementary Education

Tuition

Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Elementary Education

Total Tuition

24 semester credits x $235 per credit

$5,640

Fees

$50 Application Fee

$960 Technology & Library Fee ($40 per credit)

$100 Program Conferral Fee

$1,000 Student Teaching Fee

$2,110

Total Program Cost*

$7,750

*This is an estimated value of the cost for tuition and fees. Amounts may vary depending on number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program credit hours, receipt of scholarship and/or grant amounts, and adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section.

State of California Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF)

It is a state of California requirement that a student who pays his or her tuition is required to pay a state-imposed assessment for the Student Tuition Recovery Fund. For more information and to see if you must pay the state-imposed assessment for Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) click here.

Home / Teaching and Learning / Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Elementary Education

ACE General Admission Requirements

  • Complete and submit all application components including the admission application, including the enrollment agreement, and payment agreement.
  • Submit the nonrefundable application fee.*
  • Provide official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution indicating successful completion of the level of education required for entry to the program.**

*The application fee is valid for one year from date of submission.
**Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview.

Program Admission Requirements

Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Elementary Education

  • Bachelor's or highest post-baccalaureate degree earned
  • Minimum grade point average cumulative 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for full admission
    • or 2.5 and, at least, 5 years of documented professional experience related to the content area in which the applicants seek licensure;
    • or both a bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution and proof of passing state approved content area examination(s) in the subject area.
  • Applicants must meet the following requirements:

    • Provide official test results* demonstrating achievement of the following scores on any of these nationally recognized tests:

      • ACT: Minimum Composite score of 24
      • GRE: Minimum Composite score of 301
      • SAT: Minimum Composite score of 1100

      • Scores on tests in different grading scales will be converted to match the present scoring methodology using appropriate converter tools.

        *Official results must include results in reading/verbal and math subtests.

International Transcript Requirements

All applicants must submit to the Admissions Office official, sealed college transcripts from each institution attended.

  • Transcripts that are international and/or not in English must be evaluated through an NACES-recommended agency.
  • Texas applicants may only submit evaluations from agencies approved by the Texas Education Agency.
  • International applicants must request the course-by-course evaluation. The evaluation report must show that the non-U.S. education is equivalent to the education/accreditation level required for the program.

English as a Second Language Applicants

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language as demonstrated in one of three ways:

  1. Submission of an official transcript showing a degree from a United States secondary school or regionally accredited college/university.

  2. Submission of an official minimum score on the paper or internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams.
    • The minimum TOEFL score required for the internet-based version is 80, and the paper-based version requires a minimum TOEFL score of 20 for each of the three skills: Reading, Listening, and, Writing.

    • The minimum IELTS score required is 6.5. Note: IELTS is not acceptable for Texas programs leading to certification.

    • The testing agency must send test scores directly to American College of Education.
  3. Applicants to the Texas Educational Leadership program whose first language is not English must submit scores from the Internet-Based (IBT) TOEFL. An overall score of 80, and a score of 26 on the speaking section is required.

Admissions Appeal Process

Applicants have the right to appeal admissions decisions. Begin the process by filling out the admissions appeal here.

Home / Teaching and Learning / Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Elementary Education

Courses

Explore the classes you'll take to fulfill this program's 24 semester credit requirement. For more information, a complete list of requirements, and course options, see the College Catalog.

Literacy Courses

(9 semester credits)

This course builds key concepts and principles related to phonemic awareness and phonics, shaping an emerging understanding of the connection between language and the written code. Essential components of effective reading instruction will be explored using a Response to Intervention (Rtl) model. Methods to support individual learning needs, including learners with dyslexia, will be examined. Learners will analyze critical elements of emerging skills to foster the use of appropriate strategies across developmental stages, content areas, technology, and diversity issues in learning to read as they complete 5-10 hours of embedded field experiences.
This course examines issues related to integrating reading skills to enhance fluency, vocabulary development, and comprehension in a variety of text structures and across content areas. A range of instructional strategies for assessment, intervention, and enrichment will be evaluated as to their effectiveness for supporting engagement and motivation in reading to learn. Resources and strategies to enhance learning for students with reading disabilities, including dyslexia, will be addressed. Key dimensions for the development of differentiated instruction will promote blending of resources from the school environment, community and abroad, including the use of technology. During the course, students complete 5-10 hours of embedded field experiences.
This course considers how to develop an appreciation for the world beyond the classroom as found in writings and other literacies in relation to significant historical events and global perspectives. Principles and methods of inquiry to foster critical and creative thinking are utilized to explore methods for introducing genres and core ideas which have shaped regional, state, national, and global understanding from past eras to present day. Response to Instruction (RtI) procedures will engage strategies and methods appropriate for the delivery of English language arts and social studies through the use of differentiated instruction. Students also engage in 5-10 hours of field experiences.

Education and Teaching Core Courses

(6 semester credits)

This introduction to the teaching field provides students a rich perspective on child development knowledge, observational strategies and skills, and ethics in education. Students increase their understanding and awareness of teacher roles and responsibilities in relation to the school climate and educational policy. The course also introduces students to the tools and technologies that they will need to successfully complete field experiences that are integrated throughout their coursework and the student teaching experience.  
This course will focus on integrated curriculum for elementary teachers. Emphasis will be placed on content areas outside of the core elementary classroom content, including health and wellness, fine arts and technology. The course will address state and national standards in health and wellness, fine arts and technology as well as strategies to plan and implement activities that integrate these areas with instruction in core academic areas. Students will engage in 5-10 hours of field-based activities.  
This course provides students with the opportunity to apply theory, pedagogy, and best practices in education to understanding the role of the elementary teacher. In this course, students participate in a 15-week (full time) practicum designed to provide the knowledge and experience necessary for teaching in the elementary classroom.  Through an application based learning environment students will apply the skills they have learned throughout their previous coursework and experience firsthand the issues facing schools and classrooms. Topics include educational foundations, philosophy of education, diversity, exceptional needs, classroom management, cultural competencies, as well as lesson planning, implementation and assessment. 

Digital Learning and Teaching/Technology Courses

(3 semester credits)

This course examines the impact of technology on learning as well as how today's student navigates a media-rich world. Topics include the human-computer interface, technology and the brain, diffusion of innovations, and connectivity through social media. The course considers trends and issues in educational technologies as well as research into the effects of technology on society.

Mathematics Courses

(3 semester credits)

This course provides a foundation for teaching mathematics to diverse elementary students. Students examine current standards in mathematics, as well as the process of aligning curriculum and lesson plans to standards. Students develop a toolkit of content-specific instruction and assessment strategies. Students demonstrate computational skills and understanding of fundamental concepts and processes of mathematics, including number systems and operations, algebraic thinking, measurement, geometry, and statistics and probability. The course includes 5-10 hours of embedded field experiences.

Science Courses

(3 semester credits)

This course provides a foundation for teaching science to diverse elementary students. Students examine current standards in science, as well as the process of aligning curriculum and lesson plans to standards. Students develop a repertoire of content-specific instructional methods for planning, delivering, assessing, and remediating diverse elementary students understanding of the fundamental concepts and mastery of essential process skills associated with science, engineering, and technology. This course provides an integrated scientific inquiry approach using critical-thinking skills, literacy, and technology to explore social, cultural, and ethical aspects of science, including an investigation of the foundational concepts in the physical, Earth and space, and life sciences. Students apply their knowledge and skills in 5-10 hours of embedded field experiences.

Assessment and Support Courses

This course provides additional support, as needed, for students to successfully complete the first benchmark in the Elementary MAT/T2T. The assessment is the development and implementation of a lesson plan. Students must pass the benchmark to continue in the licensure track.
This course provides additional support, as needed, for students to successfully complete the second benchmark in the Elementary MAT/T2T program. The assessment is a professional interview which is submitted as a video recording in response to a series of questions focused on professionalism and ethics for classroom teachers. Students must pass the benchmark to continue in the licensure track. 

Non-Licensure Option

Non-Licensure Option Track (for students no longer wishing to be licensed as a teacher. This will be taken instead of student teaching)

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply theory, pedagogy, culture, and best practices in education to understand the role of the classroom teacher. Through an application-based learning environment, students gain knowledge of specific critical issues File Location: Provost>ACE Meeting Minutes> Curriculum and Assessment Committee 3 facing schools and classrooms. Topics include qualities of effective teachers, diversity, learning environments and professional environments.
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