Master in Initial Licensure

The M.Ed. – Initial Licensure program is designed for any individual who has an undergraduate degree in an area of study other than teacher education and who wants to pursue graduate studies to become licensed as an elementary or secondary school teacher.

Through classroom study and integrated teaching experience in real classrooms, students transition from knowing their subject to knowing how to share that passion with others. After 21 months (two academic years and one summer), candidates complete their degrees and can apply for licensure. Once licensed, Valpo graduates are eligible to teach in public schools in Indiana and dozens of other U.S. states.

Content areas

Because the M.Ed. – Initial Licensure program helps educated candidates earn their teaching license and prepare to teach, this program relies on students’ undergraduate education to fulfill the state’s requirements for content knowledge. For that reason, applicants for this degree must have an undergraduate major that is “licensable.”

Licensable majors include art, biology, chemistry, Chinese, English, environmental science, French, German, geography, history, mathematics, music, physical education, physics, and Spanish.

The Valparaiso University licensure director evaluates transcripts and determines if there are any deficiencies in the content area. Additional content area courses may be required, depending on the type of teaching license that a candidate wants to obtain. These courses will have to be completed with a 3.0 GPA or better prior to beginning classes for the M.Ed.

Valparaiso University is a top-ranked university offering over 15 graduate programs and attracting students from around the world. Focusing on developing professional careers, our mission at Valpo is to create leaders that serve their communities to create a better world. Each of our programs addresses the skills you need to become a leader while stressing the importance of serving others to create a better world. You might choose an MBA from our AACSB-accredited business programs.

Our business school is in the top 5% of business schools in the world and has a focus on sustainability and ethical practice helping leaders “Do Well by Doing Good.” Our information technology program is STEM certified and opens the door to extended OPT and CPT opportunities in the U.S., preparing graduates to work in business and industry around the world. With a focus on epidemiology, our graduate program in Public Health prepares students to address needs in developing and developed nations.

Our Masters in International Economics is a leader in preparing graduates to work in a variety of private and governmental settings. Popular programs in the College of Health Professions include the Masters of Nursing, focusing on training nurse educators to develop practitioners that can educate the next generation of nurses, and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree.

In the College of Arts and Sciences students complete degrees in sports administration, digital and sports media, data analytics and modeling, and more! Located just 1 hour from Chicago, Valparaiso University is a small school that offers personalized services with access to one of the largest cities in the country. Join the growing list of Valparaiso University graduates from over 40 countries and create the future that you want for yourself.