Teaching Licensure Pathway

Mount Mercy’s Teaching Licensure Pathway (Second Degree) is an accelerated degree for individuals who want to teach and already hold a bachelor’s degree but do not hold a teaching license. Students completing this program are fully licensed to teach in the state of Iowa and will join the strong tradition of Mount Mercy educators making an impact on future generations!

Criteria for Admissions

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0*
  • Passing score on C-Base or Praxis Core Exam

*Students with lower GPA will be considered on a case by case basis.

Students can take the C-Base in person at Mount Mercy or the online Praxis Core exam.

Financial Aid

You may be eligible for the following financial aid based on the FAFSA. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits per semester to qualify.

Iowa Tuition Grant—Up to $6,000 is available to Iowa residents attending a private college that meet financial need guidelines. Students can only receive the ITG for one bachelor degree so if you have received previously, you may not be eligible.

Federal TEACH Grant—$4,000 grants available to students teaching in shortage areas in low-income schools. Students must also sign an Agreement to Serve (ATS) that obligates them to teach for 4 years within 8 years of completing or ceasing enrollment in a TEACH Grant eligible program. 3.25 GPA required.

Federal Student LoansLoans up to $12,500 annually are available.

Teach Iowa Scholar ProgramThe Teach Iowa Scholar (TIS) Program provides qualified Iowa teachers with awards of up to $4,000 a year, for a maximum of five years, for teaching in Iowa schools in designated shortage areas.

Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness ProgramOffers $5,000 or $17,500 in loan forgiveness benefits to certain full-time teachers who serve in designated low-income schools.

Join our welcoming, supportive community.

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