Teacher FAQs

Program FAQs

What is STEM Teach?

STEM Teach is a project of the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) in partnership with the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis. Through a state grant, it brings together a group of ICI member and public institutions to offer professional development to in-service teachers to complete the requirements from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) for teaching dual credit courses and to strengthen K-12 teachers’ STEM knowledge and pedagogy to enrich STEM classroom instruction in Indiana. More information about the program can be found HERE.

What is the primary focus of STEM Teach V?

The primary focus of STEM Teach V is to provide graduate courses to dual credit teachers who need to complete courses in a specific content area to meet the requirements of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Who is eligible to participate in STEM Teach V?

All applicants must be currently teaching in an Indiana school and are required to submit a letter of verification from a school administrator.

What are additional areas of focus for STEM Teach V?

Once 18 graduate credits are earned towards a dual credit credential through STEM Teach V,  assistance to fund the completion of a master’s degree will also be provided. Three additional opportunities for STEM Teach V for all Indiana K-12 teachers include:

  • Tuition and textbooks/materials to complete a master’s or graduate certificate in STEM education from a participating higher education institution
  • Scholarships for teachers to attend STEM-based conferences in Indiana
  • Professional development and supplies to infuse STEM into daily classroom activities
How do I become eligible to participate in STEM Teach V?

In order to be eligible for STEM Teach V, teachers must apply via an online application to participate in this grant-funded opportunity. Click here to read more about the application process. 

How many semesters are available for STEM Teach V?

STEM Teach V is expected to include Winter/Spring 2022, Summer 2022, Fall 2022, Winter/Spring 2023, and Summer 2023 (as funding allows). 

Will teachers receive a degree or certificate from STEM Teach V?

STEM Teach V does not provide degrees or certificates; it provides opportunities to take graduate and undergraduate level courses at participating higher education institutions that may result in a degree or certificate.

Will eligible teachers receive a financial incentive for participating in STEM Teach V?

STEM Teach V teachers who complete a credential to teach a dual credit course in a STEM content area through this funding cycle in Indiana will receive a one-time financial incentive (amount to be determined) in the summer of 2023.

Are teachers reimbursed for travel expenses, such as hotel or mileage, to attend any offerings?

STEM Teach does not pay travel expenses to attend or offset expenses for any in-person offerings.

When will STEM Teach V courses be offered?

STEM Teach V courses will be offered beginning in the Winter/Spring 2022and continue through Summer 2023. Six semesters of courses are being funded through STEM Teach V.

Will every dual credit teacher who is an accepted applicant be able to complete 18 credit hours?

STEM Teach V does not guarantee that every teacher will be able to complete 18 credit hours.  An applicant’s priority status, class availability, content area limitations, minimum and maximum enrollment requirements, funding limitations, etc. can affect the number of credit hours available to accepted applicants.

Are other STEM graduate courses opportunities available?

Other programs were funded through the STEM Teacher Recruitment Fund. Read more about those programs here

Course FAQs

How do I access my STEM Teach account?

Click here to access your STEM Teach account.  You can also copy and paste https://stemteach.azurewebsites.net/ into your browser.

How do I update my STEM Teach profile?

To update your STEM Teach profile, login to the STEM Teach portal with your username and password.  Next, click Apply Today to access current profile information.  Once it loads, make the needed changes and click save at the bottom of the page.  STEM Teach staff are required to update email addresses.  Please contact Trish Wlodarczyk to request a change to your email address as this changes the login email for your account.

How do I register for courses in STEM Teach V?

Teachers who are accepted into the program will receive email instructions prior to each semester detailing when they may register for courses.

Based on a variety of indicators, teachers are prioritized for class registration.

Who is eligible to register for courses?

All in-service teachers in Indiana public schools, including charters, and accredited private schools who have been accepted into the STEM Teach V program and are currently teaching will be eligible to register for courses.

All prerequisites must be met.

As space permits, teachers may enroll in a maximum of 1 course per semester.

May teachers enroll directly into courses at any institution that is offering STEM Teach courses?

No. Teachers must register for courses through the STEM Teach teacher portal to be eligible for this grant-funded opportunity.

Are there fees associated with taking STEM Teach V courses?

No. STEM Teach pays the higher education institution directly for tuition, books and materials for all courses.

My student account at the higher education institution reflects a balance. What should I do?

The cost of tuition and textbooks/materials for courses is covered by STEM Teach Indiana, and you will not be personally responsible for these costs.

Since STEM Teach is billed after a course has ended, it is common for teachers’ student accounts to reflect a balance during a course.  Please disregard the balance in your student account unless you receive an invoice or a bill.

I received an invoice or a bill. What should I do?

The cost of tuition and textbooks/materials for courses is covered by STEM Teach Indiana, and you will not have to be personally resonsible for these costs.

If you receive an invoice or bill from a higher education institution, please reach out to us at stemteachindy.edu and forward a copy of the invoice if possible.  While many notices are automatically generated, we are happy to follow up on your behalf to ensure that costs are appropriatedly billed to the program.

How do I receive textbooks or materials for my course?

The institution that is offering the course will provide the book/materials for the course and send it to or provide an online link to you prior to the start of the course.  Teachers do not need to purchase or pay for any tuition, books, materials or fees for any STEM Teach course.

In extenuating circumstances, teachers may be instructed to purchase the required textbook and be reimbursed soon afterwards.

When will STEM Teach V courses be offered?

STEM Teach V courses will be offered beginning in Winter/Spring 2022 and continue through Summer 2023. 

Six semesters of courses are being funded through STEM Teach V.

If I do not pass or complete a class that was funded through STEM Teach, am I eligible to take subsequent courses?

If you are unable to successfully complete a STEM Teach V funded course (C+ or better), you may not be allowed to enroll in future STEM Teach V opportunities.

What should I do if I need to drop a course after I have registered and enrolled, but the course has not yet started?

Please give thoughtful consideration to your registration and enrollment in this grant-funded opportunity. If you are unable to take the course, and need to drop prior to the start date, another teacher will have missed out on the opportunity to participate.

If you need to drop/withdraw from the course for emergency reasons, inform STEM Teach V as soon as possible

If you withdraw from STEM Teach V courses, even if the course has yet to begin, your student account may be placed on hold for a minimum of one semester.

What do I do if I need to drop a course after I have registered and enrolled and even attended or participated in some sessions?

Please give thoughtful consideration to your registration and enrollment in this grant-funded opportunity. If you are unable to complete the course, another teacher will have missed out on the opportunity to participate.

If you need to drop/withdraw from the course for emergency reasons, inform your instructor and STEM Teach V as soon as possible. The instructor will inform you if you need to go through the institution’s drop process.

If you do not successfully complete the course or withdraw from STEM Teach V courses, you will not have priority to register for future courses offered through STEM Teach.

How do I provide feedback on the completed course?

Each teacher will receive an email with a link to a survey for feedback about the program, course, instructor, etc. Your participation is strongly encouraged to continue improving the STEM Teach program.

Dual Credit FAQs

What are the Higher Learning Commission’s (HLC) requirements to teach dual credit courses?

Teachers should contact their school’s primary dual credit provider to learn about the courses required to teach dual credit.

The formal language regarding dual credit teacher guidelines from the HLC is available here.

What is the deadline for completing all coursework to become credentialed to teach dual credit courses in Indiana?

Indiana recently received an extension until September 1, 2025 for dual credit teachers to earn a master’s degree and at least 18 credit hours in the content area in which they teach.  The requirements are set by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accrediting organization for degree-granting postsecondary institutions in Indiana and 18 other states.  The press release is available here.

How do I know if courses will count toward my dual credit credential?

Teachers must work with their school’s primary dual credit provider prior to registering for a course to ensure that a course will count towards credentialing.

What should I do once I complete 18 graduate credits in a content area?

Teachers should contact their school’s dual credit provider and ask them to verify that they have completed the necessary requirements to be credentialed to teach dual credit courses.

Still Have More Questions?