Post Baccalaureate Programs

Requirements

To be admitted into a post baccalaureate program, a student must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any area. In addition, students are required to take a placement test to assess basic content competencies. If you plan to teach secondary school you will also need to take the Subject Knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment. Usually, students apply for a substitute certificate or obtain their fingerprint clearance before they begin working in the schools.

There are four Degree Programs offered: Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Early Childhood and Special Education.

Campus Based Programs

Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus offers two post baccalaureate program options for those interested in achieving an elementary (K-8) teaching certification. The first option is a four-semester daytime program that both post baccalaureate and undergraduate students may participate in. All of the coursework is undergraduate level; one semester of student teaching is required. The second option, TEACH+ME (Teacher Education And Certification Highway + Masters in Education), is a self-paced, post-baccalaureate/Master's program geared toward working adults.

Arizona State University West Campus (http://www.west.asu.edu/coe/) offers a fast track program in the Peoria School District that engages students all day, five days a week. The mix of coursework and classroom experience provides students with an intensive training experience.

Northern Arizona University has post baccalaureate programs in Yuma, Tucson, and Phoenix. These programs involve a mixture of face-to-face and on-line courses, with a heavy emphasis on activities at school sites. They have tailored their programs to different student populations. The Yuma program fits emergency certified personnel, building around their schedules. The Tucson and Phoenix programs are built for working adults, accommodating their schedules.

Ottawa University offers a post baccalaureate program that provides the necessary training, coursework and expertise needed to acquire a teaching certificate in elementary education or secondary education. Courses are offered during 12-week terms in the fall, winter and spring and also an abbreviated summer session. Complete programs of study are available in the evenings or on weekends.

Pima Community College offers an elementary and secondary teacher post-degree certificate. Students learn from field intensive, standards-based courses, as well as from a supervised and directed internship. Complete the program by taking classes in a combination of online, evening and weekend classes.

Scottsdale Community College offers a post baccalaureate teacher certification program for Elementary Education (Grades 1-8) that is approved by the Arizona State Board of Education. The Scottsdale Teacher Education Partnership (STEP) program is an accelerated immersion program that is completed in eleven months (July through May). Students spend 1/3 of the time in coursework at SCC and 2/3 of the time (approximately 20 hours per week) working side by side with teachers in structured field experiences at public schools.

The University of Phoenix program offers pre-service teacher education programs in Elementary, Secondary and Special Education. These state-approved programs provide students with a Master of Arts in Education degree as well as course work required for teacher certification. Programs are designed for working adult students with course offerings in the evenings and/or weekends. Additional undergraduate and graduate degrees are available for teachers and administrators. The University also offers Arizona Secondary Path to Certification (ASPC) and TPP programs.

Online Programs

Grand Canyon University offers a M.A.T. via distance learning for students who wish to re-career into education and receive a teaching certificate.

Rio Salado College offers a teacher certificate program with four major components: online coursework, site-based practicum, nine weeks of student teaching, and Master Teacher seminars. This program enables you to obtain a teaching certificate in elementary, secondary or special education. The online teacher education course work begins every two weeks for easy scheduling and can be completed in 14 weeks or as few as six weeks with instructor approval.

The University of Phoenix offers pre-service teacher education programs in Elementary, Secondary and Special Education. These state-approved programs provide students with a Master of Arts in Education degree as well as course work required for teacher certification.  Additional undergraduate and graduate degrees are available for teachers and administrators. The University also offers Arizona Secondary Path to Certification (ASPC) and TPP programs.

Testing

The Arizona Department of Education requires all potential teachers to pass the Arizona Educators Proficiency Assessment (AEPA). The AEPA test objectives are broad, conceptual statements written in language that reflects the skills, knowledge, and understanding that an entry-level educator needs to practice effectively in Arizona schools, and are based on Arizona’s Professional Teacher Standards (pdf)

The AEPA consists of a subject knowledge test and a professional knowledge test. The subject knowledge portion tests the potential candidate’s competency in the content area he or she may teach. The professional knowledge portion tests the potential candidates competencies in the professional skills required to be a teacher.

Certification

Once you have completed your post-baccalaureate coursework, passed both sections of the AEPA and obtained a fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, you can apply for a Teaching Certificate. A potential teacher must acquire a provisional certificate first, which is valid for two years and not renewable.  After holding a provision teaching certificate for two years, a standard teaching certificate must be obtained.  The standard certificate is valid for six years and renewable.

As of August 31, 2006, a Structured English Immersion, Bilingual Education or English as a Second Language Endorsement will also be required of all classroom teachers in Arizona.

Emergency Certificates may be offered in extreme circumstances if a school district requests the certificate.  There are specific requirements and it is valid for one year.

Reciprocal Provisional Teaching Certificate Arizona reciprocates with every state that offers a comparable certificate. Applicants have one year to complete the required AEPA proficiency exams, and waivers are offered for those teachers who meet specific criteria. Applicants must also obtain a fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, or submit information verifying a valid fingerprint card from an approved state.

A Substitute Certificate requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. It is valid for 6 years and is renewable. A substitute teacher is limited to teaching 120 days in the same school each school year, and may not be assigned a contract position. A person holding a valid Arizona Teaching or Administrative Certificate is not required to hold a Substitute Certificate to be employed as a substitute teacher.