To teach in Indianapolis, Teach For America corps members must pass two national teaching exams - the PRAXIS I and the PRAXIS II – and submit fingerprinting and criminal background checks before teaching. In addition, they must complete university coursework while teaching.
Teach For America • Indianapolis has partnered with Marian College to create a program leading to an Indiana initial teaching license and a master’s of arts in teaching. This program is unique in that it is designed specifically for, and in conjunction with, Teach For America to meet district and state requirements and the specific needs of corps members. Throughout the year, corps members attend classes that build on their training, undergo bi-weekly observations, and receive feedback from faculty observers. In addition, Marian College has agreed to grant corps members 12 credit hours for their Teach For America requirements and has drastically reduced the cost of a master’s degree. The costs of the required university coursework can be covered entirely by the AmeriCorps education awards corps members currently receive at the end of each of their two years.
| Costs to Begin Teaching |
|---|
| Testing: $250 - $300 |
| Initial Certification: $35 |
| Fingerprinting & Criminal Background Check: depends on location. |
| University Coursework Costs : $6,000 for Initial Licensure Program; $7,500 for Initial Licensure & Masters Program (AmeriCorps education awards can cover all costs) |