Do you have a bachelor's degree and are interested in becoming a middle or high school teacher?
If YES, then the WSU T2T program may be for you!
The WSU T2T program is a two-year alternative restricted licensure program that sombines graduate-level coursework (in-person, virtual, and online) with full-time employment as the teacher of record in a specific subject area.
T2T participants complete Kansas teacher licensure course requirements (29 credit hous) while enrolled in the two-year program, with the option to complete a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree by taking an additional year (7 credit hours) of research coursework.
A new T2T Cohort Group begins June 1st of each year.
What Makes Us Different?
Follows a Cohort Model
The WSU T2T program follows a cohort model, providng its participants a consistent and stable structure within a small group of students for the entire two-years of the restricted licensure program. This model fosters networking, motivation, a feeling of belonging, and personal confidence that encourages and strengthens academic and professional success. The average number of students in each WSU T2T cohort group is 20.
Provides In-Person Interaction and Collaboration
The WSU T2T program utilizes a hybrid model for course delivery, consisting of in-person, virtual, and online classes. WSU T2T teachers have the privilege of collaboration and working closely with their cohort group, experienced WSU faculty and instructors. The WSU T2T program offers the best of all worlds.
Provides a University Mentor
The WSU T2T program provides a dedicated and specially trained university mentor from outside of the hiring school district for every T2T teacher. University mentors visit their assigned teachers' classrooms three times each semester to provide formal observation and feedback. Mentors assist with meeting program expectations, classroom management, lesson planning, and helpful teaching tips, materials, resources, etc. University mentor support is vital to a WSU T2T teacher's success.
Offers a Personal Touch
From the first inquiry to program completion, the WSU T2T program strives to provide a personal touch and establish a strong relationship with each T2T teacher. WSU T2T teachers are not just numbers in a sea of hundreds, but unique individuals with a variety of backgrounds and beginning teacher needs. WSU T2T program staff members place great value on building personal connections with their teachers and providing individual support and encouragement throughout the duration of the program.
Utilizes Partnersips to Assist T2T Teachers
The WSU T2T program partners with local school districts and former/current T2T program completers to coordinate job shadowing opportunities for incoming candidates prior to program entry and to assist them in the job search process. These strong and valuable partnerships often lead to employment opportunities for prospective WSU T2T teachers.
Hosts a Free Orientation/Job Search Workshop
Every spring semester, the WSU T2T program offers a free interactive orientation/job search workshop for incoming T2T candidates. This orientation is held virtually and provides prospective program participants the opportunity to ineract with local school administrators and WSU T2T staff to gain valuable insight about the teaching profession, applying for teaching positions, resume/cover letter witing, and interviewing tips/tricks.
Qualifying Subject Areas for T2T/Restricted Licensure
T2T candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in the subject area that they want to teach.The T2T program is available for those with degrees in the following subjects:
- Agriculture (6-12)
- Art (PreK-12)
- Biology (6-12)
- Business (6-12)
- Chemistry (6-12)
- Earth/Space (6-12)
- English (5-8 or 6-12)
- Family & Consumer Science (6-12)
- History/Government (5-8 or 6-12)
- Journalism (6-12)
- Math (5-8 or 6-12)
- Music (PreK-12)
- Physical Education (PreK-12)
- Physics (6-12)
- Science (5-8)
- Speech/Theatre (must have a degree in at least one of the subjects) (6-12)
- Technology & Engineering (6-12)
- World Languages (PreK-12)
Other Licensure Options
The following subject areas are currently not available through the WSU T2T program: School Counseling, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, ESOL/TESOL, Library Science, Psychology and Special Education.
However, WSU does offer other licensure program options for some of these subject areas:
Early Childhood Education Elementary Education Special Education School Counseling
Degree in Another Subject
If you do not have a degree in the subject area that you want to teach, you will most likely need to complete additional subject area course work to qualify. You will be provided a list of prerequisite courses needed to qualify for program entry after you have submitted your application materials.
WSU can only provide a list of prerequisite course for the following subject areas:
- Art (PreK-12)
- Biology (6-12)
- Chemistry (6-12)
- Earth/Space (6-12)
- English (5-8 or 6-12)
- French (PreK-12)
- History/Government (5-8 or 6-12)
- Math (5-8 or 6-12)
- Music (PreK-12)
- Physical Education (PreK-12)
- Physics (6-12)
- Science (5-8)
- Spanish (PreK-12)
- World Languages (PreK-12)
The following degree majors DO NOT qualify for T2T without first completing additional subject area coursework: Anthropology, Bible Ministry, Criminal Justice, Computer Studies, Information Networking, Interdisciplinary Studies, Law, Liberal Arts, Nursing, Organizational Leadership, Religion, Social Work, Sociology, Sports Management, or Women’s Studies.
GPA Requirement
The GPA requirement for T2T/MAT program entry and for KSDE restricted teacher licensure is 2.75 in the last 60 credit hours of graded coursework. Your last 60 credit hour GPA will be calculated during the preliminary application process.
T2T applicants that do not meet the GPA requirement, can raise their GPA to the required level by retaking courses or completing additional coursework. If you need to raise your GPA to qualify for program entry, you will work with the T2T academic program specialist to create a plan to do so.
Tuition and Fees
T2T is a graduate level initial teacher licensure program. Graduate level tuition will be charged for each course in addition to university, department and supervision fees. Current information regarding graduate level WSU tuition and fees can be found at: https://www.wichita.edu/academics/graduate_school/admissions/tuition-and-costs.php
Please note: Summer, fall and spring course loads vary, so tuition costs differ each semester.
Financial Aid
- T2T is a track of the Master of Arts in Teaching degree program so financial aid is available for T2T students.
- While participating in the T2T program at WSU you will be considered a part-time graduate student.
- There are TEACH grants available for high needs subject areas. Contact the WSU Financial Aid Office for these possible funding options. Current information regarding financial aid at WSU can be found at: https://www.wichita.edu/administration/financial_aid/
Transition to Teaching Program Coursework
The following list is the current sequence of required T2T professional education coursework
| Course | Title | Instructional Method | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CI 760A | Creating an Effective Classroom | Hybrid | 3 |
| CI 702 | Introduction to Exceptional Children | Hybrid | 2 |
| CI 707 | Adolescent Development | Hybrid | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 7 |
| Course | Title | Instructional Method | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CI 743 | Internship 1 | Hybrid | 1 |
| CI 789 | Working With Diverse Student Populations | Hybrid | 1 |
| CI 761A | Instructional Planning | Hybrid | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 4 |
| Course | Title | Instructional Method | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CI 744 | Internship 2 | Hybrid | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 3 |
| Course | Title | Instructional Method | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CI 794 | Diversity & Culture in a Global Society | Online | 3 |
| CI 701 | Foundations of Education | Online | 2 |
| CI 710B | Differentiated Instruction for Active Engagement | Online | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 7 |
| Course | Title | Instructional Method | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CI 748 | Internship 3 | Hybrid | 3 |
| CI 779 | Disciplinary Literacy and 21st Century Fluencies | Online | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 5 |
| Course | Title | Instructional Method | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CI 749 | Internship 4 | Online | 3 |
| CAS 501 | Teacher Licensure Capstone | Online | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours | 3 |
Hybrid = In-person and virtual class meetings that meet on Saturdays
Online = Module based, NO in-person or virtual class meetings
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Degree Option
T2T students fulfill Kansas teacher licensure requirements during their two years of participation in the program. During these two years, 29 graduate level credit hours are completed. These credit hours can be applied towards the School of Education's Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree. Those wanting to earn the MAT degree must complete an additional seven credit hours of graduate level research coursework for a total of 36 credit hours. Currently, MAT coursework is offered completely online and takes an additional year to complete.
| Course | Title | Instructional Method | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CI 849 | Practices and Trends in Action Research | Online (June) | 3 |
| CI 860 | Seminar in Research Problems | Online (July) | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 5 |
| Course | Title | Instructional Method | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CI 862 | Evidence Based Capstone Project Proposal | Online | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 1 |
| Course | Title | Instructional Method | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| CI 863 | Evidence Based Capstone Project | Online | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 1 |
Heritage Language Speakers and International Degrees
Heritage Language Speakers
- Heritage language speakers can qualify for participation in the T2T program after having met the content equivalency for their heritage language by passing the Praxis subject exam and meeting other T2T program entry requirements. See Program Entry Checklist for requirements.
International Degrees and Transcript Evaluations
- Candidates who have completed college coursework or degrees from international institutions may be eligible for the T2T program and a restricted teaching license in Kansas. International T2T candidates must request an evaluation of their academic credentials or transcripts from a KSDE approved evaluating agency.
- International candidates will need to request a course-by-course evaluation that includes semester credits, grade equivalents, a grade point average on a 4.0 scale and the confirmed degree from a National Association of Credential Evaluations Services (NACES) member. This will also need to be submitted with preliminary application documents. The approved NACES list can be found at: https://www.naces.org/members
Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Eligibility Requirements for Restricted Licensure
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in the regular education subject that you want to teach (OR) Hold a degree in another subject area but have completed (or have the equivalency to) all the required content area coursework required for the subject that you want to teach.
- Have a GPA of 2.75 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 credit hours of graded coursework from an accredited institution.
- Must have received a passing score on the Praxis exam for the subject area that you want to teach.
- Must have completed a supervised practical training experience. This requirement can be met a in number of ways including shadowing/observing, substitute teaching, para-professional work, etc. The T2T program will need to provide approval for the option that is used to meet this requirement.
- An official transcript from every institution where a degree was completed must be on file with the Wichita State University graduate school.
- Heritage language speakers with a bachelor’s degree or higher can qualify for a restricted teaching license to teach their native language if all other requirements are met.
KSDE Employment Policies
- You must obtain an offer of employment as the teacher of record in your qualifying subject area.
- You must be hired at least half-time (.5 FTE). If employed half-time, 100% of the courses taught must be in your qualifying subject area.
- If you are hired full-time (1.0 FTE), 50% of the courses taught must be in your qualifying subject area.
- Employment is limited to KSDE approved accredited schools/districts only.
- Teaching must be done in a traditional in person classroom setting. Online teaching or virtual classroom teaching DO NOT meet the KSDE requirements for restricted licensure.
- You must be able to pass a KBI fingerprint and background check.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I begin the program?
A new T2T cohort group begins June 1st of each year and summer coursework prepares those that have been hired to begin teaching in August.
When can I apply for the program?
Preprogram application materials can be completed and submitted year-round. May 15th is the latest that application materials can be submitted for June program entry.
How do I attend classes?
Courses for the T2T program include in-person, virtual and online delivery models. In-person/virtual courses meet every Saturday during the first summer. During the academic year, T2T courses meet in-person/virtual two Saturdays a month.
See licensure plan for specific semester details.
Can I still join this program if I live at distance from Wichita?
Yes. If you live in Kansas but are at a significant distance from Wichita, virtual attendance may be an option. This can be discussed after preprogram application materials have been submitted.
How long does it take to complete the T2T program?
It takes two years (29 credit hours) to complete the teacher licensure requirements.
Can I get a master’s degree with coursework from the T2T program?
Yes. All 29 credit hours from the T2T program can be applied towards the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Following T2T licensure completion, a MAT degree can be earned by taking an additional 7 credit hours of research coursework.
What test will I need to take for program entry?
You will need to take and pass the Praxis content exam required for your licensing subject area for the state of Kansas. A passing score on the subject exam must be received before KSDE will issue you a restricted teaching license. https://praxis.ets.org/. The specific test you need to take will be discussed at your advising appointment.
Can I transfer credit hours from another program or university to substitute for T2T program course requirements?
No. The WSU program must be completed in its entirety.
Can I apply for teaching positions anywhere in the state of Kansas?
Yes. The school must have KSDE-approved accreditation.
Once eligible for program entry, am I required to have a teaching job to participate?
Yes. KSDE regulations for a restricted teaching license require that you be hired as the teacher of record in your licensing subject area and grade level in an approved Kansas school district. The first T2T summer courses can be taken without having secured a teaching position, but a job must be secured by August 1st in order to move forward with additional T2T coursework.
What type of teaching license will I have while participating in the T2T program?
After meeting the program entry requirements and securing a teaching position, you will be issued a Restricted Teaching License from KSDE. This restricted license will be valid while completing the two years of required T2T coursework. Once you successfully complete the T2T program, you will then be eligible to apply for either a two-year Initial Teaching License or a five-year Professional Teaching License.
In what ways am I supported as a new teacher during my two years in the program?
- Each T2T teacher in our program is assigned a university mentor. The university mentor supports their teacher for both years of the T2T program. Classroom visits and observation reviews will be provided during this timeframe.
- You will also be supported by a building mentor within your school which is assigned by your principal.
- All T2T team members, including your course instructors, will support, guide, and encourage you every step of the way.
Can I coach or sponsor extracurricular activities while participating in the T2T program?
We highly recommend that extracurricular activities be avoided while participating in the T2T program. These activities can create additional stress while being a new teacher and keeping up with graduate level coursework. They may also cause schedule conflicts with in-person and virtual T2T class sessions.
Once I complete the Transition to Teaching program, will my initial/professional teaching license be accepted by other states?
Statement on 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v). Wichita State University’s teacher education programs are accredited at the national, regional, and state level. Candidates for these programs complete requirements to be recommended for licensure in the state of Kansas. Except for Kansas, Wichita State has made no determination if this program will lead to licensure in your state or the state in which you are seeking licensure. Because every state has different requirements that may change frequently, we recommend checking with your state education department for current requirements. The nonprofit organization Education Commission of the States has compiled Teacher License Reciprocity State Profiles that provide additional information about the teacher license reciprocity agreements for each state in a searchable format.
Helpful Links
School of Education