Licensing Instructions

Application and Registration Instructions for an Original Teaching License, Addition, and Renewal:

Choose the option below that fits your situation, then follow the steps listed for the option you select.

Option 1

For those taking courses to renew their Indiana teaching license:

• Visit the Professional Educator instructions page - for License Renewal ONLY

Option 2

For those taking courses to obtain an original license or to add a license area to your current license:

• Contact the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure to request an official evaluation by calling: (765) 494-5486, or visit:  Steven C. Beering Hall of Liberal Arts & Education, Room 3229 (3rd Floor).
• Apply on-line as Teacher's License and pay a $55 graduate application fee. 
• Submit the following materials to the College of Education Office of Graduate Studies, 100 North University Street, West Lafayette, IN  47907-2098:
  • Photocopy of official transcript evaluation from the Office of Professional Preparation & Licensure, Beering Hall, Room 3229, (765) 494-5486
  • An official transcript of grades from all universities attended (PDF)
  • College of Education Application Questionnaire (PDF)
  • 500-word goal statement if applying to Science Education (Biology Education, Chemistry Education, Earth Space Science Education, Physics Education, Science Education)

  For additional Teacher License application instructions visit www.education.purdue.edu/oppl/home/licensing/original_license.html

Option 3

For those taking courses to obtain an initial license or add a license area while working on a graduate degree:

• Contact the College of Education, Office of Graduate Studies at, phone (765) 494-2345, e-mail education-gradoffice@purdue.edu or visit Beering Hall, Room 6104. We will be happy to  assist and instruct you in the application process.
• Depending on the time of the year, and the application deadlines for the specific program you are interested in, you may need to do one of the following:
  • Fill out a degree application and submit the required materials by the deadline date to be reviewed for admission to the degree program you have requested.
  • Apply for Postbaccalaureate study to enter an academic program outside of a degree program's deadlines.  Once admitted as a Postbaccalaureate student, fill out a degree seeking application and submit the required application materials for the next upcoming admission review deadline. 
  Students who go this route will take any required licensing courses along with their degree courses.

Option 4

For those taking 100-400 level credits only to obtain an original license or addition to an existing license: 

• After receiving a copy of your official evaluation from the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure, call or visit the Office of Admissions, Schleman Hall: ph: (765) 494-1776. Tell them you want to take courses to obtain an original teaching license/addition.
• You will be admitted and assigned to the Undergraduate Advising and Recruitment Office that handles the specific subject area for your license (i.e., College of Education handles only Elementary Education, Social Studies Education, or Special Education certifications).
• The Office of Admissions will provide complete instructions to students choosing this option when you contact their office.
• Your undergraduate counselor will assist you with registration each session. 

*Choosing this option does not result in an advanced graduate degree.  See Option #3 if an advanced degree is part of your enrollment objectives.

*You cannot use this option if you wish to take 500 or 600-level courses.

IMPORTANT  REMINDERS:

*If you register through the Graduate School for a 100-400 level course you must also register for a 500-600 level course at the same time.

*Any course taken as Pass/Fail or Audited may not be used on an advanced degree plan of study.

*Special Education only - Graduate students with a GPA below 2.5 will be required to maintain a GPA of 3.25 or better in their first nine (9) hours of graduate special education coursework.     

*Up to 12 credits taken while in a Postbaccalaureate  or Teacher's License, non-degree status (including any undergraduate excess credits), with a grade of "B" or better may be considered for use on a plan of study for an advanced degree (subject to approval by your major professor, committee, department, and university).  

*If you enroll 30 days before the first day of classes, you will be mailed an invoice. A $200 late fee will be added for students who register on or after the first day of class.

*If you have any questions about enrolling, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies at (765) 494-2345.  For any questions about billing please contact the Bursar's Office at (765) 494-7570.