Secondary Pathways to Certification
Secondary teachers are certified to teach in secondary classrooms from grades 6-12 as departmentalized teachers teaching one subject to multiple groups of students. Secondary teachers may add additional approved areas by passing the appropriate AEPA examination and adding an approved area to their certificate. The following pathways are approved to lead to the Secondary Certificate:
| Traditional Bachelor's Pathway to Certification | Approved Bachelors' Degree Programs: |
The traditional pathway to teacher certification is designed for individuals pursuing an initial bachelor's degree in secondary 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 secondary 6-12 teaching certificate. Traditional programs conclude with a 12-week capstone student teaching experience in a single subject 6-12 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 Secondary 6-12 Certificate. |
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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 secondary 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 a standard secondary 6-12 teaching certificate. Candidates have two options for meeting the student teaching requirement:
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 Secondary 6-12 Certificate. | Approved Post-Baccalaureate Programs:
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Alternative Pathway to Certification The alternative pathway to teacher certification is designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree in any field pursuing secondary 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 6-12 classroom. This full-time teaching experience meets the student teaching requirements 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 Secondary 6-12 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 Secondary (NT052) and AEPA Subject Knowledge in a Secondary subject. (Note: Middle Grades Subject Knowledge exams cannot be used to meet the initial subject knowledge requirement for a secondary certificate but may be added as additional approved areas).
4. Receive an Institutional Recommendation from your institution.
5. Ensure you meet all certificate requirements and apply for certification here.
See Also
- Requirements for Secondary 6-2 Certification - Requirements for Additional Approved Areas - Testing Information - Alternative Program Contact Information
