Arizona Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
All public schools and many private schools in Arizona require educators to be appropriately certified by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) Certification Unit to lead a classroom. Arizona’s alternative teacher preparation programs, also known as non-traditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Those who do not have a bachelor’s degree may wish to read our guide to traditional certification in Arizona. Continue reading to learn more about these alternative pathways to a classroom teaching career in Arizona.
Table of Contents
- Arizona Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Best Alternative Certification Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
To pursue Arizona alternative teacher certification in a traditional subject area, candidates must have at least a bachelor’s degree. However, those who do not hold a bachelor’s degree but have significant experience may be eligible to teach career and technical education (CTE). Alternative preparation certificate programs in Arizona can be completed in as little as one year. Candidates may also qualify for an educator’s license with a master’s degree in education, teaching, or a teachable subject that includes an approved certification program.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Arizona
Arizona offers multiple alternative pathways to teacher certification, including options for both traditional classroom subjects and CTE. Note that the requirements for CTE certification differ from those for general education subjects. Visit the ADE website for detailed information on eligibility criteria and approved educator preparation programs (EPPs).
Alternative Teaching (Teaching Intern/Teacher in Residence) Certificate Pathway
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher are eligible for a temporary license, known as an Alternative Teaching Certificate, while they fulfill the requirements for regular certification. Candidates who seek an Alternative Teaching Certificate reflecting a certification area must have passing scores on the related subject knowledge Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA). While holding the Alternative Teaching Certificate and working as a teacher, candidates must be enrolled in an ADE-approved EPP. Educators have three years to complete a course or pass an exam covering the Arizona and US Constitutions; otherwise, their certificate may be suspended.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Certificate
Candidates who wish to teach CTE subjects such as agriculture, business and marketing, or family and consumer sciences may be eligible for a CTE Certificate. The requirements for this certificate vary based on the CTE instruction area, but for most areas, candidates must have at least a bachelor’s degree in the instruction area plus at least 240 clock hours of work experience. Candidates may also qualify with a high school diploma and at least 6,000 clock hours of verified work experience in the instruction area. The CTE Certificate is valid for 12 years and is renewable. For further details, review the ADE guide to CTE certification.
Testing Requirements for Arizona Alternative Certification
Arizona alternative teacher certification candidates must pass the same exams as traditional pathway candidates, the AEPA. The ADE provides a list of required exams by subject area and grade level.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
If you hold an active, standard teaching certificate in another state, you may apply for an Out-of-State Teaching Certificate in Arizona. The out-of-state certificate must be comparable to the Arizona Standard Certificate.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Arizona
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the ADE for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Christian University* | — | Alternative, Certificate | $28,962 | |||
| Arizona State University* | — | Alternative, Master’s | 232 | 67 | 100% | $14,653 |
| Central Arizona College* | — | Alternative, Certificate | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Mohave Community College* | — | Alternative, Certificate | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Northern Arizona University* | CAEP | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | 21 | 14 | 83% | $15,692 |
| Ottawa University* | — | Alternative, Certificate | 3 | — | 85% | N.Av. |
| Pima Community College* | — | Alternative, Certificate | 417 | 108 | 97% | $3,696 |
| Prescott College* | — | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | 25 | 9 | N.Av. | $23,225 |
| Rio Salado College* | — | Alternative, Certificate | 565 | 162 | 95% | $9,017 |
| Scottsdale Community College* | — | Alternative, Certificate | — | — | — | $10,547 |
| University of Arizona* | — | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $15,620 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
- *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.
Best Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in Arizona
We used overall pass rates on the teacher licensing exams to identify the best alternative teacher certification programs in Arizona. The following schools reported 90% or higher pass rates for alternative and master’s program graduates.
- Arizona State University (Alternative, Master’s; 100%)
- Pima Community College (Alternative, Certificate; 97%)
- Rio Salado College (Alternative, Certificate; 95%)4
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Arizona based on the shortest possible time to completion. Shorter alternative certification programs are often more affordable since they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
- Arizona State University (12 months)
- Central Arizona College (12 months)
- Scottsdale Community College (12 months)
- University of Arizona (12 months)
Additional Resources
- ADE Alternative Pathway to Teacher Certification: Overview of alternative pathways to certification accepted in Arizona.
- ADE Approved Educator Preparation Programs: List of all teacher preparation programs approved in the state of Arizona.
- Reciprocal Provisional Teaching Certificate: ADE’s official guide to reciprocity in Arizona.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Arizona Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- How to Become a Teacher in Phoenix
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. Arizona Department of Education, Certification Unit: https://www.azed.gov/educator-certification/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/