Become an Educator

Our Arizona schools need dedicated, passionate, and highly effective educators to inspire our PreK-12th grade students.  There are many options for certification. Please take a moment to review these options and requirements to ensure you are following the path that is best for you. 

Remember, to qualify for a Standard Professional Certificate, applicants must meet the pedagogial, (the how of teaching), and the content requirements. Applicants must also demonstrate professional knowledge and subject knowledge proficiency. This may be done in various ways, so please review the detailed requirements that are specific to the certificate you are seeking. 

The first step in certification is to identify what grade level/content you want to teach as this will determine the type of certificate you need. Please review the certificate types and grade level spans before proceeding.

  • The Standard Professional PreK-12 Teaching Certificates include Early Childhood, Middle Grades, Elementary, Secondary, Special Ed, Administrative, and Non-Teaching Professional. 
  • The Standard Professional PreK-12 Teaching Certificates require that you complete an Educator Preparation Program with student teaching or you have 2 years of full-time teaching with the completion of the identified coursework. 
  • Applicants must also demonstrate Professional and Subject Knowledge Proficiency.

Educator Preparation Program routes: 

There are several routes to educator preparation and the options below will allow you to find a program that meets your needs.

  • Traditional Bachelor's Degree Educator Preparation Program -

    This is for those interested in completing a program that will require completion of a 12-week student teaching experience and will award a bachelor's degree leading to certification.

  • Traditional or Alternative Post-Baccalaureate Educator Preparation Program-

    This is for those with a bachelor’s degree and who would like to further their education by completing a post-baccalaureate certificate program or a master’s degree program at an accredited institution. The program may include a culminating capstone 12-week student teaching experience leading to certification or may be completed while being employed full-time as an Arizona teacher with an Alternative Teaching Certificate.

  • Alternative Educator Preparation Certificate Program (including classroom-based programs) -

    This is for those with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and who would like to enroll in a State Board-approved Educator Preparation Program that will allow program completion that meets certification requirements while being employed as a full-time Arizona teacher with an Alternative Teaching Certificate. 

Using the interactive tool below, you can search and locate a program that meets your interests and needs. 

 

Once you have successfully completed your program your next step is to apply for certification.

  • State Statute requires that all applicants hold a valid Arizona Identify Verified Prints (IVP) fingerprint card. Please contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety for information on the application process. 
  • The program will issue an Institutional Recommendation (IR) for the certificate that aligns with the program that has been completed. The IR must be issued to the applicant within 45 days of program completion.
  • The applicant must demonstrate professional knowledge and subject knowledge proficiency by completing the appropriate exam(s).

 

  • The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) offers the Arizona Teachers Academy (ATA) Scholarships. This program is administered by ABOR so all questions need to be directed to them. 
  • The program allows individuals to earn a degree while the scholarship covers tuition for those who agree to teach in Arizona schools.

 

Use the interactive Educator Preparation Program slicer below to find the program best for you: