Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Secondary Education

  • Course Information
  • Prerequisites
  • Cost Calculator

Course Information

Total Cost *
$6,352
Next Start Date
Aug 24, 2026
Completion Time
14 Months
Semester Credits
18

Prerequisites

Degree Type
Bachelor's
Minimum GPA
2.5

Cost Calculator

Transfer Credits
Total Cost *

Quickly Prep for Secondary Education Licensure

Gain the foundational knowledge needed to effectively lead a secondary classroom. The Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Secondary Education program at American College of Education (ACE) is designed for aspiring secondary educators with bachelor’s degrees and can lead to initial licensure. You’ll become the educator you aspire to be as well as an equipped leader, ready to contribute to student success.

You’ll learn the latest, evidence-based differentiated instruction approaches as well as develop the skills needed to create lesson plans and cultivate engaging learning environments. Courses equip you with relevant, innovative technologies and artificial intelligence integration tools like gamification and human-computer interaction.

With ACE, your transition to teaching is as seamless as possible.

This program is approved as an alternative pathway to lead to an initial secondary generalist teacher license in Indiana. Students residing outside of Indiana are encouraged to check with their state’s licensure agency for eligibility requirements before enrolling, as licensure and certification requirements vary by state.

Graduates of this certificate may apply their credits to the Master of Arts in Secondary Teaching for continued education. Plus, we offer a special Educator Grant for new students who enroll in this program. Visit our?Grants and Scholarships page?to learn how you can reduce your tuition. 

Career Opportunities

Empower your students and community, and take the next step toward a future full of possibility.

Program Details

The Transition to Teaching (T2T) program in Secondary Education prepares candidates to meet the changing needs of today's grade 5-12 adolescent students. Candidates learn how to structure core content classes, utilize best practices, incorporate digital tools into the learning environment, and differentiate instruction for learners. The graduate certificate program leads to an initial secondary teacher license in Indiana. Students who do not reside in Indiana should determine requirements for applying the Indiana initial license for teacher licensure in their state of residence. All courses in this program can be applied to a Master of Arts in Secondary Teaching at American College of Education.

Courses

Here are the courses you’ll take when working towards this program. If no focus of study option is selected, you can choose any 3 courses from the study options below.
Visit the College Catalog to see all courses.

This program consists of
credits

Related Programs

Start Dates

With flexible start dates, you can begin your program when it's best for you.
August 24, 2026 Term
-
+
Aug 21, 2026
Application Due
Aug 21, 2026
Payment Due
Aug 24, 2026
Term Start
Aug 28, 2026
Unregister/Cancel Deadline
Sep 27, 2026
Term End
November 16, 2026 Term
-
+
Nov 13, 2026
Application Due
Nov 13, 2026
Payment Due
Nov 16, 2026
Term Start
Nov 20, 2026
Unregister/Cancel Deadline
Dec 20, 2026
Term End
January 11, 2027 Term
-
+
Jan 08, 2027
Application Due
Jan 08, 2027
Payment Due
Jan 11, 2027
Term Start
Jan 15, 2027
Unregister/Cancel Deadline
Feb 14, 2027
Term End
April 12, 2027 Term
-
+
Apr 09, 2027
Payment Due
Apr 09, 2027
Application Due
Apr 12, 2027
Term Start
Apr 16, 2027
Unregister/Cancel Deadline
May 16, 2027
Term End

Tuition

We believe in full transparency with our total cost of attendance. No hidden fees. No surprises along the way.

Total Cost of Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Secondary Education

credit

Total Tuition

semester credit x $ per credit
$

Fees

$
Total Program Cost
$*
Find a plan that fits your budget.
View Payment Options

Return on Your Investment

Continuing your education is a big decision that involves an investment of your time and money. We recognize that, which is why we're committed to ensuring you experience a positive return on that investment.

You only pay the cost it takes for us to deliver your education, nothing more. By keeping our tuition low, we’ve helped our students see a $19.20 return in future higher earnings for every $1 they invested in their ACE education.1

How to Pay for College

Because of our low tuition and total program cost, 87% of our students graduate debt-free.2 Popular payment options include paying by course, paying by month or paying in full. Visit our payment options page to learn more.

$17,515
Average competitor total cost2
$9,655
Average ACE total cost*
When we say low cost, we mean it

The proof is in the numbers. ACE’s commitment to keeping tuition and fees low means our price is a fraction of the cost of other comparable programs.

Why ACE?

Low-Cost, High Quality

You deserve a great return on your educational investment, and we deliver master's degrees at a total average cost of $10,000*. We also award over $1.2M in scholarships and grants each year.

Tuition & ROI
$1.2M
in
scholarships

Quality You Expect

We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our faculty work in the industries where you work and are committed to your success, contributing to our 84% graduation rate.3 Our curriculum equips you with practical strategies you can apply right away, as well as skills to help you advance your career.

Success Stories
84%
graduation
rate3

Flexibility You Need

Our virtual campus and convenient start dates provide you the flexibility you need to achieve your goals at a time and place that works with your busy schedule. Our student support services are available 24/7 and tutoring is included at no additional cost.

Support Services
24/7
student support
services

See How ACE Stacks Up

Graduation and Satisfaction Rates

ACE Graduates With No Debt² vs. Master’s Degree Holders From Private, For-Profit Institutions⁴

87%
31%

ACE vs. Comparison Group for Better Than Expected Overall Student Satisfaction or Higher³

97%
82%
Stay Within Your Budget

Because we don’t have a physical campus, our students don’t need to pay infrastructure or facility fees. We also keep our operational costs low by not participating in Title IV federal funding. We pass all these savings along to our students.

Network Across the Globe

Due to our engaging online format, you’ll connect and learn from industry peers worldwide. And even though you’re learning online, you won’t feel alone thanks to student discussion boards and online forums.

Gain Today’s In-Demand Skills

Learn strategies and skills you can apply immediately and leverage for future career advancement. Employers of ACE graduates report a 96% satisfaction rate,3 while 98% of our students felt their professional skills were stronger after graduation.3

Learn From Custom-Built Curriculum

Every course is created by our in-house curriculum and production team working in tandem with our academic leaders. Plus, all courses follow a consistent structure. No outdated coursework, no surprises.

Student Success Stories

Picture of Jazzmyne Townsend
Alumni
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
Jazzmyne Townsend
Read Jazzmyne's story »

Admission Requirements

ACE General Admission Requirements
-
+
  • Complete and submit all application components including the admission application, the enrollment agreement and payment agreement.
  • Submit the nonrefundable application fee. *
  • Provide official transcripts from an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education indicating successful completion of the level of education required for entry to the program. **
  • Secure electronic transcripts can be mailed to [email protected].


*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
-
+
  • Bachelor's degree earned in the subject area or related field in which the person wishes to teach.

Or

  • Bachelor's degree in any field and proof of passing Indiana state approved content area examination (s) in the subject area the applicant wishes to teach. 

  • 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 in the subject area or related field in which the person wishes to teach;
  • or Hold both a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and proof of passing Indiana state-approved content area examination(s) in the secondary 5-12 content area assessment in the subject matter.
  • Hold a graduate degree from an accredited postsecondary institution in the subject area or related field in which the candidate wants to teach.
  • Applicants must meet the following requirements:
  • Pass criminal background check from Safe Hiring Solutions. For applicants with less than five years of US or US territorial residency status an extended background check may be required at the applicant’s sole expense.
  • Acknowledgement of field-based diversity experiences and classroom access
International Transcript Requirements
-
+

All applicants must submit, to the Admissions Office, an official evaluation from a NACES-approved organization.

  • Transcripts that are international and/or not in English must be evaluated through a NACES-recommended agency.
  • Texas applicants for licensure programs 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.
  3. 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.
  4. The minimum IELTS score required is 6.5. Note: IELTS is not acceptable for Texas programs leading to certification.
  5. The testing agency must send test scores directly to American College of Education.
  6. Applicants to the Texas Educational Leadership program whose first language is not English must submit a minimum scaled score of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading and 21 for writing from the Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT) or evidence of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States listed in Figure: 19 TAC §230.11(b)(5)(C).

1Lightcast Study

2Internal research conducted November 2025

3Across all ACE Programs. See Student Right to Know. Accessed May 28, 2026

4Education Data Initiative. Accessed January 28, 2026

Let's Get Started

Our Enrollment Counselors are here to answer your questions and walk you through the enrollment process.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
By submitting this form, you consent to receive communications from American College of Education via email, phone, SMS/text messages, and automated or AI-assisted technologies. Message and data rates may apply. ACE may record and analyze communications as described in our Privacy Policy.
By clicking "VIEW OPEN HOUSE,” express consent is given to be contacted by American College of Education (ACE) regarding educational services by email, telephone, or text at the email address(es), telephone number(s) provided. Message/data rates may apply. I consent to receive auto-dialed/pre-recorded telemarketing calls from or on behalf of ACE. I understand my consent is not a condition to enroll or acceptance into any ACE academic program. View Privacy Policy.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Close Chat