We designed this academic plan to deepen your knowledge of issues and current research on best practices in the field, while preparing you to be a teacher in grades K-8.Preparing skilled teachers has been a part of NAU's heritage from its earliest years. Those who earn this degree will be ready to contribute to this essential part of community and country-the education of young people, the breath of the future.
This program is nationally recognized by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI).
This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
More Information
No job is more challenging, rewarding, or important than teaching small children. As an elementary educator, you’ll help shape the character—and future—of every child in your classroom. It’s a big responsibility. Our elementary education program will prepare you to succeed.
Our program will help you enhance your teaching skills in K-8 education. You’ll complete advanced courses in teaching methods and curriculum. You also have the option to pursue the Reading Specialist Endorsement, either separately or as part of your degree program.
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Candidates in this program are required to demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, professional knowledge, and professional dispositions to be eligible to enter student teaching or internship placements.
Content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge or skills, professional dispositions are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded in the following course(s):
| Minimum Units for Completion | 43 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| Arizona Certification/Endorsement | Prepares student for Arizona Certification and/or Endorsement. |
| Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching | Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching is required. |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
Purpose Statement
The MEd Elementary Education with Certification degree program provides candidates with the necessary foundation to teach in K-8th grade classrooms. This nationally recognized program emphasizes sound pedagogical practices while stressing the skills, knowledge, and dispositions necessary to confidently enter the field of education. Candidates engage in a purposeful program of study, which is grounded in theory and infused with practical experiences in schools. Candidates pursue coursework in a wide variety of areas, including curriculum and instruction, educational foundations, educational psychology, special education, educational technology curriculum, and bilingual and multi-cultural education. Candidates complete the program with a full-day, field-based student-teaching capstone, occurring over a sixteen-week period, that is tied to a reflection seminar. Additionally, students are involved in practica experiences across the program of study.
Throughout the program, students demonstrate outcomes aligned to the standards National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium. These outcomes include, but are not limited to, constructing learning opportunities that support students’ development, acquisition of knowledge, and motivation; knowing, understanding, and using major concepts in subject matter fields to enhance student learning and development; creating instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse students; knowing, understanding, and using various assessment strategies to plan, evaluate, and improve teaching and learning; and reflecting and continuously improving educational practice.
Candidates who complete this program will be prepared to contribute to and participate in the education of future generations through public , charter, and private schools, as well as other venues where such coursework and certification may serve the job, such as training/teaching in organizations, non-profits, and agencies. This degree leads to state teacher certification in the state of Arizona.
Student Learning Outcomes
Outcomes align with Standards from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC).
Development, Learning and Motivation: Candidates know, understand, and use the major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to development of children and young adolescents to construct learning opportunities that support individual students’ development, acquisition of knowledge, and motivation.
Curriculum Standards
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Take the following 49 units:
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.