Indiana Announces the Professional Pathway Credential for High School Students

October 14, 2025 | Upland, Indiana — As Indiana high schools move forward with the state’s new, transformative diploma requirements, Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner announced today the approval of a faith-based academic pathway that meets the 30-college-credit-hour requirement for the Honors Plus Seal.

This new option, the Professional Pathway Credential, will provide high school students with the opportunity to integrate faith and learning while advancing their academic goals. Secretary Jenner made the announcement from the campus of Taylor University, the oldest non-denominational Christian college in the country.

Indiana’s new diploma framework establishes minimum graduation requirements while offering two levels of academic distinction: Honors and Honors Plus Seals. The new Professional Pathway Credential will satisfy a requirement for the Honors Plus Seal and will be offered through Indiana’s six independent Christian colleges—Anderson University, Bethel University, Grace College, Huntington University, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Taylor University. Through this new credential, students can earn 30 college credits that meet the state’s requirements, expanding access to high-quality, faith-based higher education across the state.

This builds on Jenner's call last year for collaboration following the diploma's unanimous approval: "As we begin to implement the new diploma requirements, it will again take all of us working together to get this right, and I look forward to continuing to work with community leaders across the state to set our Indiana students up for the best possible future."

This partnership between faith-based institutions showcases Jenner’s call to teamwork for Hoosier success. Previously, there was no formal pathway for faith-based institutions to partner in offering such credentials, and this approval opened that door. The Professional Pathway Credential equips high school students with college-level credits while honoring their faith, empowering every student to thrive.

Taylor University Provost Dr. Jewerl Maxwell, who collaborated with state leaders and Indiana CCCU institutions, added: “This is a great moment for Taylor University and for the other Christian universities across Indiana. By earning the Professional Pathway Credential, high school students will strengthen their academic foundation and engage in education that integrates their faith.”

Students can earn the Professional Pathway Credential by completing courses in three categories key to the 21st-century workforce—communication, technical, and industry and civic skills. The pathway meets the state's 30-credit-hour requirement toward the Honors Plus Seal. Students must also complete 75 hours of work-based learning and demonstrate effective communication, collaboration, and a strong work ethic.

“Indiana’s commitment to diverse and rigorous educational pathways reflects a shared conviction that education is key to our collective future,” said Taylor University President Michael Lindsay. “The Professional Pathway Credential ensures that students who desire faith-based options are well served while meeting the highest academic standards. It’s a wonderful example of preparing young people for meaningful futures in college, in career, and in life.”

Leaders from Anderson University, Bethel University, Grace College, Huntington University, Indiana Wesleyan University joined Taylor University, Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner, and President of Independent Colleges of Indiana Dottie King for this historic announcement.

Learn more about the new diploma framework, including readiness seal blueprints.