FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): A Fort Wayne University has stepped up to help education majors impacted by Indiana Tech’s School of Education being denied national accreditation.

That shortfall, which was announced earlier this month, meant that students outside of this graduating class wouldn’t be able to get their state teaching license through their coursework at Indiana Tech.

But now a partnership with the University of Saint Francis will allow those students to complete their degrees and get their licensure requirements, including student teaching, at USF. Their remaining non-major specific coursework can be finished at Indiana Tech and they’ll still earn an Indiana Tech Degree.

The partnership has been approved by the Indiana Department of Education.

“This collaboration between the University of Saint Francis and Indiana Tech is a wonderful example of the priority both institutions place on students’ success,” said Dr. Lance Richey, USF Vice President of Academic Affairs. “USF was founded as a teachers college, and over 125 years later we are delighted to be able to share our programs and talents to help serve these aspiring teachers and, by extension, the children of Northeast Indiana whose lives will be positively impacted by their work.”

“Everyone at Indiana Tech greatly appreciates the work of the Saint Francis team to serve our students,” said Dr. Tom Kaplan, Indiana Tech Vice President for Academic Affairs. “The University of Saint Francis has an excellent teacher preparation program and has been generous with their time and commitment to developing this initiative in a timely way. By working together, our two universities have created a strong pathway for Indiana Tech education majors to earn their degrees and ultimately obtain their state licenses to teach.”