Elementary Pathways to Certification

Elementary teachers are certified to teach in elementary classrooms from Kindergarten to 8th grade as "self-contained" teachers who teach all subjects to one class of students. Elementary teachers may add an approved area to teach in a departmentalized classroom and teach one subject to multiple groups of students by passing the appropriate AEPA examination and adding an approved area to their certificate. The following pathways are approved to lead to the Elementary Certificate:

Traditional Bachelor's Pathway to Certification

The traditional pathway to teacher certification is designed for individuals pursuing an initial bachelor's degree in elementary education. Candidates in a traditional program complete a course of study that meets all university requirements for the chosen degree and leads to a standard elementary K-8 teaching certificate. Traditional programs conclude with a 12-week capstone student teaching experience in a self-contained K-8 classroom.

Upon completion of all program requirements and student teaching, candidates in a Board approved teacher preparation program are awarded a bachelor's degree and issued an institutional recommendation that may be used to apply for an Arizona Standard Elementary K-8 Certificate.

Approved Bachelor's Degree Programs:

Traditional or Alternative Post-Baccalaureate Pathway to Certification

The traditional post-baccalaureate pathway to teacher certification is designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree in any field pursuing a post-baccalaureate certificate program or a master’s degree program in elementary education. Candidates complete a course of study that meets all college or university requirements for a post-baccalaureate certificate or a master's degree and leads to for a standard elementary K-8 teaching certificate. Candidates have two options for meeting the student teaching requirement:

In a traditional route, candidates complete a capstone 12-week student teaching experience in a K-8 classroom.
In an alternative route, candidates may teach full-time as a salaried teacher in a K-8 classroom while completing program requirements. This full-time teaching experience meets the student teaching requirement for certification.

Upon completion of all program requirements and student teaching or verified teaching experience, candidates in a Board approved teacher preparation program are issued an institutional recommendation that may be used to apply for an Arizona Standard Elementary K-8 Certificate.

Approved Post-Baccalaureate Programs:

Alternative Pathway to Certification

The alternative pathway to teacher certification is designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree in any field pursuing elementary teacher certification through a State Board approved Educator Preparation Program. Candidates complete the coursework requirements of the selected program while teaching full-time as a salaried teacher in a K-8 classroom. This full-time teaching experience meets the student teaching requirement for certification.

Upon completion of all program requirements and verified teaching experience, candidates in a Board approved teacher preparation program are issued an institutional recommendation that may be used to apply for an Arizona Standard Elementary K-8 Certificate.

Approved Alternative Programs:

icon check markArizona State Board of Education Approved Programs

How to proceed:

1. Choose the best-matched pathway program appropriate to you.

2. Enroll and complete all program requirements.

3. Take and pass the AEPA Professional Knowledge Elementary (NT051) and Subject Knowledge Elementary Subtest I and II (NT102 and NT103).

4. Receive an Institutional Recommendation from your institution.

5. Ensure you meet all certificate requirements and apply for certification here.