Today is April 20th 2018 and the breaking news for Arizona is that students have walked out over gun violence, and educators are planning to walk out on April 26th as part of the #RedforEd movement that has swept through the state. The Arizona Education Association voted- and 78% of its educators will walk out of their schools on behalf of their students, schools, and their colleagues.
Their motto is that they Don’t Want to Walk Out but they Will. What is happening in Arizona? The short answer is underfunding for both educators and the schools. Special education is losing money as are the Arts and other areas. Once upon a time, teachers moved to Arizona to teach- for better quality schooling and for better pay. Today, teachers are fighting for that back. So why would anyone want to teach in Arizona right now? Arizona currently ranks as the 48th “best” state for K-12 education in the nation. This is one of the last places in America to start a career as a teacher, right? Well, maybe not. The teacher and organizers who are currently facilitating action through the Arizona Education Association are looking for change that is meaningful, and they have moved, and continue to move through all the right channels. These individuals that make up this movement are working purposefully and building momentum. Public education is suffering across the nation, and not just in Arizona, but the motion towards positive real change is palpable and very possible, particularly in Arizona. Adding your voice to the chorus now more so than ever (in nearly a decade) is going to make the impact that Arizona is yearning for. The young people of Arizona need passionate educators like you to join in this movement to help a state in dire need. If you understand that education takes more than just planning but also gusto, if you have a passion to restore and rejuvenate areas in need, a teaching career in Arizona may be the perfect fit. At the end of this fight is better pay, a 1 billion dollar investment in schools, and hopefully some of the best education Arizona has seen in over 10 years. It’s moments like these that make a difference in education. If you’re looking to become part of the solution, here are online institutions in Arizona that provide some of the best degrees in education in the state:
- Arizona State University
- Grand Canyon University
- Northern Arizona University
- University of Arizona
- Prescott College
- Arizona Christian University
- Argosy University-Phoenix
- Mesa Community College
- Pima Community College
Requirements for Teaching Licensure
in Arizona
The “traditional” route to certification in Arizona involves four main steps:
1.) Complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Education
Complete a bachelor’s degree in education. Usually, a bachelor’s degree in education requires about 120 credit hours of general education courses, education courses, and electives. The common curriculum usually means about 30 or more major classes that correspond with state certification requirement, and additional course material that centers on theory and methods of teaching. We suggest you check the Licensing Guide For Arizona for and approved route towards certification.
2.) Complete a State-Approved Teacher Certification Program
For the traditional route, a “state-approved” teacher preparation program means working in an educational facility- typically a public school with a supervisor. Essentially it’s like having supervised on-the-job training before you are actually on the job. Teacher preparation programs are an important step into the field of education. Here you will gain exposure to the school system, learn how to work with a team, and learn how to put education theory into practice. Here’s a great resource for educator preparation programs in the state of Arizona.
3.) Pass the State-Mandated Exams
Generally, in the state of Arizona, you must complete the Arizona Tests for Teacher Certification.
Are you finished with your bachelor’s in education, teacher preparation, and exams? Here’s a helpful checklist to ensure you have everything in order for licensure:
- Complete a Background Check
- Demonstrate Proof of Degree Completion with Official Transcripts
- Demonstrate Proof of Teacher Preparation Completion
- Provide Passing Scores for State-Mandated Exams
- Complete an Application for Teacher Certification in the State of Arizona
- Pay a non-refundable Certification Processing Fee
If you have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than education or are simply looking for other methods that lead to licensure check out these alternative routes towards teacher certification for the state of Arizona.
Online Education Program Admission Requirements
Every school varies when it comes to admission and furthermore, admission requirements will differ depending on whether or not you are looking to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree. Let’s first take a look at general admission requirements for a bachelor’s degree in education.
Generally speaking in order to gain admission to a bachelor’s degree in education you must have a high school diploma or have passed a GED with an acceptable GPA. College entrance exams like the ACT and SAT are still very common and score requirements vary per institution. Once you have the scores you need, the next step is to fulfill application requirements. In general, the application requirements include the application itself, the 2 or 3 letters of recommendations, an entrance essay demonstrating how you are good fit with the institution and occasionally an interview.
Admissions into a master’s program also varies but many require: a bachelor’s degree with least a 2.75 GPA, 2 years of teaching experience, 2-3 letters of recommendation from academic and professional supervisors, written essays of intent/ demonstrated passion and desire to attend program, and a GRE score. It’s important to check with your institution as some schools do not require a GRE score.
Average Salaries
For Common Educator Roles in Arizona
- Preschool Teacher:$24,790
- Primary School Educator:$56,025
- Secondary School Educator:$42,540
- Higher Education Administrator:$143,276
- Principal:$74,750
- Special Education Teacher:$48,570
- Math or Science High School Teacher:$74,029
- ESL Teacher:$51,350
- School Psychologist:$57,930
Scholarships for Future Educators in the State of Arizona
Arizona State University Teaching Scholarships
Grand Canyon University TEACH Grant
University of Phoenix Teacher Appeciation Scholarships
The 5 Best Online Education Degree
Providers in Arizona
Arizona has a total of 9 education degree-granting institutions that provide online education degrees. These range from community colleges offering associates in early childhood development or human services, to nationally ranked universities that offer a wide spread of masters level and education endorsement-level programming. While future students may want to go to the “best” online institution in their state for education degrees, they should take some to double check what exact degrees are offered by their institution of choice at the directory of all online education degrees at the bottom of the page. To select the following top five universities, we’ve looked at two factors: the number of fully online education degrees offered by an institution, and an “academic prestige” score. The academic prestige score takes into account metrics such as average amount of financial need received, average class sizes, admissions standards, and the percentage of faculty holding terminal degrees in their field. Also note that the tuition numbers below are just indicators of relatively how expensive or affordable a college is. The tuition numbers below, specifically, are the in-state (where applicable) undergraduate yearlong tuition rates for education degrees. Many universities, however, have similar tuition rates at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Arizona State University is a public research university located Tempe, Arizona with additional campuses in Phoenix, Tucson, Glendale, Yuma, and Scottsdale . U.S. News ranks Arizona State as the 115th best school in the nation and 1st for Most Innovative School above Stanford and MIT. Additionally, ASU ranks 36th for best online graduate education degrees. The Mary Lou Fulton Teacher’s College is considered to be one of the best graduate colleges of education and ranked 11th according to U.S. News There are a wide-range of degrees available online in fields like business, construction, electrical engineering, and construction. When it comes to student support services, ASU offers academic and career counseling, employment for students, and on-campus daycare. For a
The Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College provides top-notch education for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s candidates. There’s something for every stage of the profession whether preparing to enter the classroom for the first time or training to step into a leadership role, Arizona State has a program to meet your needs. If you envision a focus more on research, ASU offers PhDs in leadership and education, policy and evaluation, and learning literacies and technologies. There are also a good variety of online education degrees for bachelor’s and master’s-seeking individuals including the following:
- Bachelor’s in Education
- Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction: ABA
- Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction: Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction: Early Childhood Development
- Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction: English as a Second Language
- Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction: Gifted Education
- Master’s in Educational Leadership
- Master’s in Educational Technology
- Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
We selected Arizona State University for the vast number of degree programs available online as well as for their high quality academic offerings.
Grand Canyon University is a private research university located in Phoenix, Arizona. There are 75,834 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits GCU to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. GCU helps their students succeed with the full gambit of student support including academic counseling, career counseling, employment for students, and credit for life experiences. You may have guessed that with such a large enrollment that Grand Canyon University offers a huge range of academic programs including in fields like the sciences and the Arts. Maybe even more impressive are their available online degree offerings. In fact, there are over 90 courses available online for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s candidates. Some of the most popular classes by enrollment are in business management, engineering, health and education.
Grand Canyon University offers a huge number of online degrees for all types of career-minded individuals. Whether you’re looking to earn your licensure for the first time or take a course to advance your career, you’re likely to find an online degree in education to meet your needs :
- Bachelor of Arts in English for Secondary Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Bachelor of Science in Business for Secondary Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies Initial Program – Does Not Lead to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in Christian Education, Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in English as a Second Language, Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Bachelor of Science in Mathematics for Secondary Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Master of Arts in Autism Spectrum Disorders Advanced Program for Continuing Professional Education
- Master of Arts in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
- Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction Advanced Program for Continuing Professional Education
- Master of Arts in English with an Emphasis in Education
- Master of Arts in Gifted Education Advanced Program for Continuing Professional Education
- Master of Arts in History with an Emphasis in Education
- Master of Arts in Reading with an Emphasis in Elementary Education Advanced Program for Continuing Professional Education
- Master of Arts in Reading with an Emphasis in Secondary Education, Advanced Program for Continuing Professional Education
- Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Advanced Program for Continuing Professional Education
- Master of Education in Early Childhood Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Master of Education in Early Childhood Education Initial Program – Does Not Lead to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education
Initial Program – Does Not Lead to Initial Teacher Licensure - Master of Education in Educational Administration Advanced Program for Principal Licensure
- Master of Education in Educational Leadership Advanced Program for Continuing Professional Education
- Master of Education in Elementary Education Initial Program – Does Not Lead to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Master of Education in Elementary Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
,
- Master of Education in Secondary Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Master of Education in Secondary Education Initial Program – Does Not Lead to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Master of Education in Secondary Humanities Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Master of Education in Secondary STEM Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Master of Education in Special Education Initial Program – Leads to Initial Teacher Licensure
- Master of Education in Special Education Initial Program – Does Not Lead to Initial Teacher Licensure, Master of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Education
- Master of Science in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Education
- Master of Science in Instructional Technology Advanced Program for Continuing Professional Education
- Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Nursing Education
- Master of Science in Sociology with an Emphasis in Education
- Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Behavioral Health
- Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Christian Ministry
- Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Higher Education Leadership
- Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in K-12 Leadership
- Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Organizational Development
- Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Special Education
- Doctor of Education in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning
- Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision
- Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Cognition and Instruction
- Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Integrating Technology, Learning, and Psychology, Education Specialist in K-12 Leadership
Northern Arizona University (NAU) is a public 4-year institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. There are 30,361 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits NAU to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as professional certifications. U.S. News ranks NAU as the 47th best school for online bachelor’s programs, 63rd best school for online graduate business programs, and 107th best school for online graduate education programs. G.I. Jobs, Best for Vets and Military Times, all rank NAU as one of the top military friendly schools in the nation. Their online academic offerings are as diverse as the student body they serve and include offerings in business administration, hospitality management, public health, sociology, and education among others. In fact there are over 60 online degrees and certifications.
Northern Arizona University’s College of Education provides opportunities for future teachers, school counselors, and school psychologists. Whether you’re looking to initiate your career or move into a position of leadership NAU offers opportunities for all. One of their featured research initiatives focuses on early childhood special education in rural areas. Not only that, but NAU offers all of these programs completely online.:
- Bachelorr’s in Interdisciplinary Studies – Early Childhood
- Career and Technical Education – Occupational Education 90-30
- Bilingual and Multicultural Education Bilingual, Educational Leadership
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- Educational Foundations, Educational Leadership
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- Instructional Leadership K12 School Leadership
- Bilingual and Multicultural Education – ESL
- Career and Technical Education, Educational Leadership
- Principal (K-12)
,
- Mathematics Education
- Educational Technology
- Science Teaching
- Secondary Education-Continuing Professional Emphasis
- Elementary Education – K-12 Reading Emphasis
,
- Early Childhood Education
- Special Education
- Elementary Education-Continuing Professional Emphasis
,
- Educational Leadership – Community College & Higher Education
We selected NAU for the high number of online education related degrees.
The University of Arizona is a public research university located in Tucson, Arizona. There are 43,161 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits UA to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. According to U.S. News University of Arizona ranks as the 124th best school in the nation, 78th best school for veterans, 56th for best online bachelor’s programs, and 180th for best online graduate educations programs. They support their students with remedial help, academic and career counseling, and employment for students. The University of Arizona offers and impressive number of degree programs- everything from accounting, to visual arts. Not only that, but their online school currently offers over 70 fully online degrees and professional certifications for both undergraduate and graduate students including their bachelor’s in political science, master’s in optics, and doctorate in nursing practice.
The University of Arizona’s College of Education has it all including a drone-based STEM curriculum, tons of research, a great special education department (including an innovative program that focuses on astronomy for the visually impaired) and so many fantastics online degree offerings. Here’s a look at what’s available online:
- Early Childhood Education
- Literacy Learning and Leadership
- Educational Technology
- ESL
- Special Education: Behavior Support
- Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Special Education: Disabilities
We selected the University of Arizona for their high quality of academic offerings as well as for the high number of programs available online.
Prescott College is a small private institution located in Prescott, Arizona. There are 702 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Prescott College to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees as well as professional certifications. According to U.S. News Prescott College ranks as the 81st best university in the region. When it comes to student support services, Prescott supports their students with academic counseling, career counseling, and credit for life experience. Their academic offerings include vocational programs as well as programming in the liberal and visual arts. The fields with the most robust programming are in education and health. In fact, there are 25 online degrees and certifications for undergraduates and postgraduate students alike. There’s even an online doctorate in education.
Prescott College offers online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the field of education as well as an online doctoral degree in education. There are also online teacher certification courses in special education, early childhood education, secondary education, and elementary education. In fact, the following are their education programs offered entirely online:
- Bachelor of Arts – Education & Teacher Preparation
- Master of Arts – Education
- Master of Arts – Adventure Education Secondary Ed
- Master of Education – Secondary Education
- Master of Education – Leadership
- Master of Education – School Guidance Counseling
- Master of Education – Leadership/Principalship
- Master of Education – Elementary Education
We selected Preston College for the high number of online degree offerings and their quality academic programming.
Directory of Online Education Degree
Providers in Arizona
| University of Arizona | 1401 E University, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0066 | Online Ed Degrees: 6 | |
 Tuition $16466 | |||
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| Arizona Christian University | 2625 E Cactus Rd, Phoenix, Arizona 85032-7097 | Online Ed Degrees: 3 | |
 Tuition $22491 | |||
| Argosy University-Phoenix | 2233 West Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85021 | Online Ed Degrees: 5 | |
 Tuition $15888 | |||
| Mesa Community College | 1833 W Southern Ave, Mesa, Arizona 85202 | Online Ed Degrees: 3 | |
 Tuition $7661 | |||
| Pima Community College | 4905C East Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona 85709-1275 | Online Ed Degrees: 2 | |
 Tuition $3970 | |||
