At the top teaching colleges in Arizona, there are many degree options available to help you fulfill the certification requirements needed to start educating the state’s young learners. With its position in the southwestern region of the United States as the sixth largest state noted for its warm desert climate, Arizona is home to more than 60,000 certified teachers who instruct more than one million students on a daily basis. If you are interested in opening career opportunities at over 2,200 K-12 schools within the Grand Canyon State’s borders, read on to learn more about the top-notch teaching degree programs offered in Arizona.
Arizona Christian University
Education Department
Under the leadership of pastors from the Sun Valley Conservative Baptist Association in Phoenix, the ACU Education Department is focused on providing a biblically integrated education based on God’s Word to develop teachers for training those who will serve in all other professions. Graduates will receive an Arizona Teaching Certificate as well as a teaching certificate from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs
• Elementary Education (with optional emphasis in Coaching or Early Childhood)
• Music Education
• Secondary Education (with emphasis areas available in Biology, Business, Coaching, English/Communication, Math, Science, or Social Studies)
Accreditations
North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
2625 East Cactus Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 386-4100
info@arizonachristian.edu
http://arizonachristian.edu/academics/programs
Arizona State University
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
With multiple campuses in downtown Phoenix, northwest Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, and online, the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is a well-known constructive force in education that challenges students to achieve their full potential as effective educators. In fact, the U.S. News and World Report recognizes ASU for having the 18th best education school with the 25th best online graduate education programs in the nation.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Programs
• Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education (birth-3)
• Education Exploratory
• Educational Studies
• Elementary Education (1-8)
• Physical Education (K-12)
• Secondary Education (7-12)
• Special Education (K-12)
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Programs
• Alternative Pathways to Teacher Certification
• Curriculum and Instruction (Applied Behavior Analysis, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Early Childhood Education, English as a Second Language, Gifted Education, or Literacy Education)
• Educational Leadership
• Educational Technology
• Elementary Education (1-8)
• Higher and Post-Secondary Education
• Physical Education (K-12)
• Secondary Education (7-12)
• Special Education (K-12)
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs
• Educational Policy and Evaluation
• Leadership and Innovation
• Learning, Literacies and Technologies
Accreditations
North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
P.O. Box 37100
Phoenix, AZ 85069
(602) 543-6358
mkoerner@asu.edu
http://education.asu.edu/programs
Arizona Western College
Education Department
As a two-year public community college with classes offered in Yuma, San Luis, Somerton, Wellton, Dateland, La Paz, and the Marine Corp Air Station, Arizona Western College places a strong emphasis on community service and performance-based activities. Within the Education Department, students can pursue a teaching career by earning an associate’s degree or occupational certificate in a truly multicultural learning center.
Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degrees
• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
Occupational Certificate Programs
• Early Childhood Education
• Family Childcare Education
• Infant and Toddler Education
• Preschool Education
Accreditations
North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
2020 South Avenue 8 E
Yuma, AZ 85365
(928) 317-6000
amy.pignatore@azwestern.edu
http://www.azwestern.edu/academic_services/degrees_and_certificates/
Central Arizona College
Education Division
Serving the academic needs of Pinal County with five campuses in Coolidge, Winkelman, Apache Junction, Maricopa, and San Tan Valley, Central Arizona College is a two-year public community college with just over 12,200 students. The Education Division prepares students to work with children of all ages in public and private schools by offering degree programs that seamlessly transfer credits to all three Arizona universities.
Associate’s Degree Programs
• Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Athletic Training Education
• Associate of Arts in Elementary Education (A.A.E.E.)
• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Early Childhood Education – with an emphasis in Family Child Care, Infant/Toddler, Management, or Preschool
Accreditations
North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
8470 North Overfield Rd.
Coolidge, AZ 85128
(520) 494-5035
tracy.mulvaney@centralaz.edu
http://www.centralaz.edu/Home/Academics/Degree_and_Certificate_Descriptions.htm
Cochise College
Liberal Arts Department
Based in Douglas with outreach centers in Sierra Vista, Benson, WIllcox, Nogales, and Fort Huachuca, Cochise College serves more than 7,900 students as a two-year public community college in a county with more land area than the state of Connecticut. For immediate employment or transfer to a four-year university, the Liberal Arts Department offers associate’s degree programs in education to emerge students with relevant teaching skills.
Associate’s Degree Programs
• A.A. Early Childhood Care and Education
• A.A. Health and Physical Education
• A.A. Secondary Art Education
• A.A. Secondary History Teaching
• A.A.E.E. Elementary Education
• A.A.S. Early Childhood Care and Education
• A.A.S. Education
Accreditations
North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
4190 West Highway 89
Douglas, AZ 85607
(520) 515-0500
brookse@cochise.edu
http://www.cochise.edu/degreescertificates/
Eastern Arizona College
Education Department
Since first being chartered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1888 as the first community college in Arizona, Eastern Arizona College has grown to serve over 6,500 students in Thatcher with satellite locations in Gila and Greenlee counties. In an effort to help students become part of an incredible influence for good, the Education Department offers invigorating education degree programs with valuable hands-on experience in a classroom setting.
Associate’s Degree Programs
• A.A.S. Early Childhood Education (with optional AAS-BAS track)
• A.A. Elementary Education
• A.A. Health and Physical Education
• A.A. Secondary Education
• A.A. Technical Education
Accreditations
North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
615 North Stadium Avenue
Thatcher, AZ 85552
(928) 428-8312
celinda.palmer@eac.edu
http://www.eac.edu/Academics/Programs_of_Study/Education/
Grand Canyon University
College of Education
As a leading private Christian university in Phoenix, Grand Canyon University welcomes around 8,200 on-campus students and nearly 100,000 online learners. With an outstanding reputation of producing 52 graduates who have been named “Teacher of the Year,” the College of Education has been a prestigious teaching college for over six decades to provide students with the confidence to achieve excellence as a teacher or school administrator.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Programs
• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education and Special Education (Dual Major)
• Elementary Education (with an emphasis in English, Math, or Science)
• Secondary Education (with an emphasis in Biology, Business Education, Chemistry, English, Math, or Physical Education)
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Programs
• Curriculum and Instruction (with an emphasis in Reading Elementary, Reading Secondary, or Technology)
• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Administration
• Educational Leadership
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
• Special Education
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs
• Organizational Leadership (with an emphasis in Behavioral Health, Higher Education Leadership, K-12 Leadership, Organizational Development, or Special Education)
Accreditations
North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
3300 West Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85017
(602) 639-6205
coe@gcu.edu
http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Education.php
Mohave Community College
Education/Child Development Department
Founded as a comprehensive two-year college with more than 13,000 students each year in the northwest portion of Arizona, Mohave Community College is a learner-centered institution based in Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Colorado City, Bullhead City, and online from anywhere. In preparation for transfer to state universities, the Education/Child Development Department offers programs that build fundamental teaching knowledge and skills.
Associate’s Degree Programs
• A.A. Elementary Teacher Emphasis in Early Childhood
• A.A. Elementary and Middle School Teacher
• A.A. Secondary Teacher Education
Accreditations
North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
480 South Central St.
Colorado City, AZ 86021
(928) 875-2799
eternes@mohave.edu
http://www.mohave.edu/academics/certificates
Northern Arizona University
College of Education
Nestled at the base of the San Francisco Peaks in the mountain town of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a four-year comprehensive public institution with over 10,500 students enjoying around 288 days of sunshine annually. As the second most common major at the college with more than 15% of NAU students choosing education degree programs, the College of Education is highly regarded as the 105th best education school with the 97th best online graduate education programs in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report.
Undergraduate Programs
• B.A. in Early Childhood Education
• B.A. in Learning and Pedagogy
• B.S. in Early Childhood Education
• B.S. in Elementary Education
• B.S. in Secondary Education (with content areas in Art Education, English, French, German, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, or Spanish)
• B.S. in Special and Elementary Education
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Programs
• Bilingual and Multicultural Education (ESL)
• Career and Technical Education
• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Leadership (Principal K-12, School Leadership, Educational Foundations, or Community College/Higher Education)
• Educational Technology
• Elementary Education
• Human Relations
• Secondary Education
• Special Education
• School Counseling and Student Affairs
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Educational Leadership (Educational Administration or Community College/Higher Education)
• Educational Psychology
Accreditations
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
801 South Knoles Drive
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
(928) 523-7139
coe.stuserv@nau.edu
http://nau.edu/COE/Degrees-Programs/
Ottawa University – Phoenix
School of Education
As a satellite location of the private four-year institution based in Kansas with a Christ-inspired community of over 5,000 students, Ottawa University – Phoenix is located on a 40,000 square-foot campus with a variety of accelerated degree programs. Based in the liberal arts, the School of Education is committed to educating innovative and involved professionals that promote holistic learning in our pluralistic world.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Programs
• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) Programs
• Cross-Categorical Special Education
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Early Childhood Education
• Education Intervention
• Education Technology
• Educational Leadership
• School Guidance Counseling
Teaching Endorsements
• Art, Music or Physical Education (K-12)
• Bilingual Education (K-12)
• Computer Science (K-12)
• Gifted Education (K-12)
• Middle School Grades 5-9
• Reading (K-12, K-8, or 6-12)
• Structured English Immersion (K-12)
Accreditations
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
10020 North 25th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85021
(602) 371-1188
amy.hogan@ottawa.edu
http://www.ottawa.edu/Academics/Schools/School-of-Education
Pima Community College
Department of Education
Founded in 1966 to transform lives with accessible high-quality education, Pima Community College is a two-year institution serving the greater Tucson metropolitan area at six campus locations. Within one of the largest multi-campus community colleges in the United States, the Department of Education prepares teachers to transfer to a four-year degree program while learning how to effectively educate young learners.
Associate’s Degree Programs
• A.A. Early Childhood Education
• A.A.S. Early Childhood Studies
• A.A. Elementary Education
Post-Degree Certificates
• Advanced Early Childhood Studies
• Educational Technology
• Elementary Certification
• English as a Second Language
• Middle School
• Secondary Certification
• Special Education Mild-Moderate Disabilities
• Structured English Immersion (SEI)
Accreditations
North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
4905 East Broadway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85709
(520) 206-4500
infocenter@pima.edu
https://www.pima.edu/programs-courses/credit-programs-degrees/index.html
Prescott College
Education & Teacher Preparation Department
As the 75th best college in the West by the U.S. News and World Report, Prescott College is a private liberal arts institution of over 1,200 students. Offering both resident on-campus and limited-residency online programs, the Education & Teacher Preparation Department is focused on preparing teachers for certification at the undergraduate and graduate levels to create learner-centered classrooms in K-12 settings.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Programs
• Cross-Categorical Special Education (K-12)
• Early Childhood Education (Birth-Age 8)
• Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-Age 8)
• Elementary Education (K-8)
• Secondary Education (7-12)
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Programs
• Educational Leadership/Principalship
• Elementary Education (K-8)
• Secondary Education (7-12)
Graduate Certificate/Endorsement Programs
• Equine-Assisted Learning
• Reading Specialist (K-8)
• School Guidance Counseling
• Structured English Immersion (SEI)
Accreditations
North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
220 Grove Avenue
Prescott, AZ 86301
(877) 350-2100
admissions@prescott.edu
http://www.prescott.edu/learn/teacher-preparation/index.html
University of Arizona
College of Education
Boasting a diverse population with nearly 27% of students being minorities, the College of Education at the University of Arizona has awarded more than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate degrees to teachers in just the last five years. As home to the state’s only programs to prepare educators of the deaf and blind, the College of Education is named the 48th best education school in the United States by the U.S. News and World Report.
Undergraduate Programs
• B.A.E. Early Childhood Education
• B.A.E. Elementary Education (with optional Bilingual emphasis)
• B.S. Literacy, Learning and Leadership
• B.S. Special Education (Cross-Categorical, Deaf Studies, or Rehabilitation)
Master of Arts (M.A.) Programs
• Counseling (Rehabilitation and Mental Health or School Counseling)
• Educational Psychology
• Higher Education
• Language, Reading and Culture
• Special Education (Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Visual Impairment, Learning Disabilities, Severe and Multiple Disabilities, or Cross-Categorical)
• Teaching and Teacher Education
Ph.D. Programs
• Educational Leadership
• Educational Psychology
• Higher Education
• Language, Reading and Culture
• Special Education
• Teaching and Teacher Education
Accreditations
North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1430 East Second St.
Tucson, AZ 85721
(520) 621-1462
anat@u.arizona.edu
https://www.coe.arizona.edu/academics
Whether you are interested in teaching for general education or are seeking to specialize in working with children with disabilities or the state’s diverse English language learners, then be sure to further investigate these top teaching colleges in Arizona to get started on the pathway towards reaching your maximum potential as an educator.