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Teacher Preparation
Teaching is an exciting and rewarding profession. The opportunity to shape young minds and develop the next generation of America's leaders is a huge responsibility. Teaching requires dedication and commitment, and preparing to teach takes a concerted effort to become a master teacher in content and theory.
In Arizona, to teach in a public school, and a growing number of private and charter schools, you must obtain a teaching certificate. To obtain a standard teaching certificate you must pass the Arizona Education Proficiency Assessment. The state requires a strong background in liberal arts with additional coursework in the theory and practice of teaching, as well as a field based practicum or student teaching.
There are many avenues to obtaining the education you need to qualify for a state certificate. Most public and private colleges and universities offer programs to fulfill these requirements. Many community college and university programs have partnerships developed to facilitate the process of earning a Bachelor’s degree and certification.
Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Programs
The undergraduate programs at both community colleges and universities are designed to develop potential teachers. An entry level teaching position is dependent upon obtaining a bachelors degree and state teacher certification. A teacher's primary responsibility is to teach students content information aligned with the Arizona Academic Standards. Undergraduate degrees and certification can be obtained in the following four areas.
Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Early Childhood
Special Education
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Programs
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Programs are designed for working adults who have already received a Bachelor’s Degree and wish to enter the teaching profession. The programs incorporate teacher certification requirements for the State of Arizona into a curriculum that offers the essential skills students need to become highly qualified teachers. Most programs incorporate strong field-based components to maximize student exposure to classroom environments before they begin teaching. Post-Baccalaureate programs are offered as campus based and/or online programs.
Endorsements
Endorsements are attachments to teaching certificates and indicate areas of specialization. They are for grades K-12 unless otherwise indicated. Once issued, they are automatically renewed with the teaching certificate on which it was posted. Optional endorsements may be required by local governing boards. Endorsements are issued for Art, Bilingual Education, Computer Science, Dance, Dramatic Arts, Drivers Education, Early Childhood, Elementary Foreign Language, English as a Second Language (ESL), Gifted Education, Library Media Specialist, Mathematics Specialist (K-8), Middle Grade (5-9), Music, Physical Education, Cooperative Education, Structured English Immersion and Reading Specialist. Approved endorsement areas can be added to an existing certificate by passing the appropriate subject area portion of the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment.As of August 31, 2006, a Structured English Immersion, Bilingual Education or English as a Second Language Endorsement will be required of all classroom teachers in Arizona.
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