Special Education Pathways to Certification
Special Education teachers are certified to teach in a variety of special education classrooms from Preschool to 12th grade serving special education student populations with varying needs. The Arizona Department of Education issues the following certificates:
- Standard Professional Early Childhood Special Education Certificate - Birth-Age 8 or Grade 3
- Standard Professional Mild/Moderate Disabilities Special Education Certificate - Grades K-12
- Standard Professional Moderate/Severe Disabilities Special Education Certificate - Grades K-12
- Standard Professional Hearing Impaired Certificate - Birth-Grade 12
- Standard Professional Visually Impaired Certificate - Birth-Grade 12
The following pathways are approved to lead to one of the above Special Education Certificates:
Traditional Bachelor's Pathway to Certification
The traditional pathway to teacher certification is designed for individuals pursuing an initial bachelor's degree in special education. Bachelor's degrees are offered leading to the following certificates:
Candidates in a traditional program complete a course of study that meets all university requirements for the chosen degree and leads to a standard special education teaching certificate. Some programs allow for a special education degree to be combined with a general education Early Childhood (PK-3) or Elementary (K-8) certificate.
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 Special Education Certificate. | Approved Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education Dual Bachelor's Degree Programs:Approved Mild/Moderate Special Education Bachelor's Degree Programs:Approved Mild/Moderate Special Education and Elementary Education Dual Bachelor's Degree Programs:Approved Visually Impaired Bachelor's Degree Program: |
Traditional or Alternative Post-Baccalaureate/Master's 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 special education. Post-baccalaureate certificates or Master's degrees are offered leading to the following certificates:
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 special education teaching certificate. Some programs allow for a special education degree to be combined with a general education Early Childhood (PK-3) or Elementary (K-8) certificate. Candidates have the following 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 Special Education Certificate. | Approved Early Childhood Special Education Master's Degree Program:Approved Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education Dual Master's Degree Program:Approved Mild/Moderate Special Education Post-Baccalaureate/Master's Degree Programs:
Approved Mild/Moderate Special Education and Elementary Education Dual Master's Degree Program:Approved Moderate/Severe Special Education Master's Degree Programs:Approved Visually Impaired or Hearing Impaired Master's Degree 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 exams listed in the requirements for the appropriate certificate.
4. Receive an Institutional Recommendation from your institution.
5. Ensure you meet all certificate requirements and apply for certification here.
See Also
- Requirements for Certification:
- Standard Professional Early Childhood Special Education Certificate - Birth-Age 8 or Grade 3
- Standard Professional Mild/Moderate Disabilities Special Education Certificate - Grades K-12
- Standard Professional Moderate/Severe Disabilities Special Education Certificate - Grades K-12
- Standard Professional Hearing Impaired Certificate - Birth-Grade 12
- Standard Professional Visually Impaired Certificate - Birth-Grade 12
- Requirements for Additional Approved Areas - Testing Information - Alternative Program Contact Information