IU, Ivy Tech reach credit transfer deal

Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College have formed a partnership they say will help Indiana fill a critical teaching shortage predicted as baby boomers retire during the next decade and beyond.

IU said it will now accept all graduates of Ivy Tech who have successfully completed a two-year elementary education degree. To teach in a classroom, teachers of course, must have a four-year degree.

During a signing ceremony Tuesday morning, the presidents of both institutions said they believe Indiana's teaching pool will become more diverse, more qualified and much larger because of the agreement.

"It's critically important that we do our part in helping rebuild America and helping rebuild Indiana," said Tom Snyder, Ivy Tech president.

Students could save thousands of dollars over two years at any of Ivy Tech's 23 campuses that offer elementary education associates degrees. IU President Michael McRobbie said the curriculum is in place for Ivy Tech students to get the same high quality schooling they would get over four years at an IU school.

"We believe that the quality of those subjects they do in an associates degree would be comparable to what they would be doing in an education degree at IU and hince the final two years would give them the additional training they need to become fully qualified for a bachelor degree," said Dr. McRobbie.

Both schools said the move could be a very attractive deal even for older people who've lost jobs or are considering a career change. That's because the Indiana Department of Workforce Development estimates a 12% increase in teaching jobs from now through 2016.