Online Teacher Certification Graduate Certificate

Are you looking to become a certified elementary or secondary education teacher? Our graduate certificate in teaching is designed for individuals who are already teaching on an Arizona Alternative Teaching Certificate (or equivalent in other states) or seeking a traditional student teaching placement. You’ll receive robust clinical support and guidance from a top-ranked college of education to foster your growth and development as a teacher.

Learn more

Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 08/17/2023


Total classes:

Total classes: 9

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 23

Degree questions, answered.

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What's a graduate certificate in teaching?

Arizona State University’s graduate certificate in teaching is a two-semester program that’s aligned with the Arizona Department of Education requirements for teacher certification in elementary education or secondary education. 

Our curriculum provides the necessary coursework and professional experiences teachers need to receive an Institutional Recommendation for Arizona teacher certification in elementary education or secondary education. Out-of-state students can check their local state agency to see if the program meets requirements in their area. 

Students can complete the requirements for this criteria via one of two pathway:

  • Alternative pathway: Employed as a full-time teacher of record aligned with their certification area (elementary or secondary) on the Alternative Teaching Certificate from the Arizona Department of Education (or out-of-state comparable certificate) before starting the program.
  • Traditional pathway: students are not currently employed as a teaching of record and will be placed as a student teacher as part of the program.

What will I learn in teacher certification courses online?

Through this graduate certificate in teaching, you’ll receive robust clinical support and guidance from ASU faculty who are experts in the field and are actively engaged in the educational research community. You’ll learn about instructional practice, assessment, content, inclusive teaching practices and more. Prior to starting the program, you’ll need to find employment as a teacher of record or be placed as a student teacher in a local school. Then, you’ll complete coursework while working as a full-time teacher or student teacher. These professional experiences will foster your growth and development as a teacher. 

In alignment with the national Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) Core Teaching Standards, you’ll also demonstrate knowledge, skills and dispositions of effective teachers in the areas of learner-centered practices, learning design and environment and professional responsibilities.

Is a graduate certificate in teaching worth it?

 

Yes. A graduate certificate in teaching is worth it, especially for those looking to earn formal certification while working as a full-time teacher or those who are not yet teachers but are being placed as a student teacher through the program. Our program provides the coursework needed for certification in elementary education or secondary education, and you can opt to return for a full master’s degree.

If you wish to pursue a master’s within three years of completing the program, you have the option to transfer your credits to a Master of Education in elementary education or a Master of Education in secondary education. You’ll benefit from earning a degree at a top-ranked college of education – ranking 7th in graduate elementary education degree programs and 12th in graduate secondary education degree programs according to the U.S. News & World Report.

If you enroll in a program leading to initial teacher certification and commit to teaching in Arizona after graduation, you may be eligible for the Arizona Teachers Academy at ASU tuition scholarship.

Professional licensure and certification

ASU offers programs that lead to professional licensure with the state of Arizona and may allow graduates to be eligible for licensure in other states. Please check the professional licensure list for Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College to determine if this program meets requirements in your state. Note that not all programs within Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College lead to professional licensure. Contact our enrollment team for more information: ASUeducation@asu.edu.

Will my teacher certification graduate certificate say 'online'?

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.

Graduate teacher certification courses

In this certificate program, you’ll take 9–10 courses for a total of 23 credit hours, or up to 25 credit hours depending on whether you choose the elementary or secondary education track. Courses may include:


Core

Apprentice Teaching One


Core

Apprentice Teaching Two


Core

Creating Equitable Learning Environment: Decision Making and Action


Core

Exploration of Education: Child/Adolescent Development and Foundations of Special Education


Core

Instructional Design, Planning and Assessment


Elementary education track

Instructional Methods for Language and Literacy


Elementary education track

Integrated Humanities (SS/Arts/ELA) Methods and Assessment


Elementary education track

K-8 Mathematics Methods and Assessment


Graduate teacher certification career options

As a student in the online teacher certification program, you’ll already be employed as a full-time teacher of record in elementary or secondary education or be placed as a student teacher. This certificate provides you with the coursework and professional experiences necessary to obtain a standard teaching certificate in Arizona (or another state agency if it meets credentialing requirements). Roles your teacher certification can lead to include:

Elementary school teacher

High school teacher

Kindergarten teacher

Middle school teacher

Learn from renowned educators

The faculty of Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College draws from a range of academic disciplines including cognitive science, psychology and economics with an overall goal to gain insight into important questions about the process of learning, the practice of teaching and the effects of education policy. The faculty is committed to connecting research to schools and other learning environments. Our teacher and leadership preparation programs combine scholarly rigor with practical application.

Learn from renowned educators

The faculty of Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College draws from a range of academic disciplines including cognitive science, psychology and economics with an overall goal to gain insight into important questions about the process of learning, the practice of teaching and the effects of education policy. The faculty is committed to connecting research to schools and other learning environments. Our teacher and leadership preparation programs combine scholarly rigor with practical application.

Graduate certificate in teaching admission requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. View the graduate program's application deadlines.

Please note: This program has an earlier application deadline than other online degrees offered by Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. 

Application requirements

Additional application information

Join one of the best colleges of education in the nation

Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College brings people and ideas together to increase the capabilities of individual educators and the performance of education systems. According to U.S. News & World Report, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is the only U.S. college of education to rank in the top 15 in both on-campus and online graduate education degrees.

#1


best online master’s in educational administration programs.

#1


best online master’s in educational/instructional media design programs.

#2


best online master’s in curriculum and instruction programs.

Top 10


best online master's in education programs.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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