This plan is not accepting students. Please contact NAU Yuma (928-317-6063 or susan.lauer@nau.edu) for information on when enrollment for the plan will open.
NAU-Yuma's Education Department offers courses in teacher preparation in partnership with Arizona Western College. This transfer program is designed specifically for AWC and NAU-Yuma students and is only available at the NAU-Yuma branch campus.
Along with learning what to teach and how to teach, you have opportunities to experience increasingly complex assignments in classrooms with master teachers. We consider fieldwork and practicum experiences to be integral parts of your professional teaching preparation.
Our teacher education programs lead to professional preparation and state teaching certification in Secondary Education. To be accepted into the Secondary Education Program, you must meet criteria established by our Teacher Education Committee.
This program is designed for the individual who wants to teach general science in the high school setting (usually grades 9 or 10) or physical science in the middle grades (grades 7 or 8). The major requirements include courses in physics, astronomy, chemistry, geography, geology, biology and physical science.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
Note: the required mathematics for this major is MAT 220 from AWC.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | 2.5 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching | Required |
| Additional Fees/Program Fees | Required |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Progression Plan Link | Not Available |
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the bachelor program in secondary education in physical science is to prepare highly qualified professional physical science and/or mathematics teachers for Yuma area secondary schools. NAU-Yuma facilitates students’ development in the philosophy, theories, concepts, and practices of both biology and education. Our students become critical and reflective teachers for meaningful learning in their classrooms and practical application in a global community and digital world. In partnership with the community college, we serve a population that is culturally and linguistically diverse and includes traditional and nontraditional first generation families as well as military and veteran families. We provide academic and language support services including assessment-based interventions for success not only in the academic program, but also for state teacher certification requirements and for continued professional growth. Students benefit from a culturally-relevant curriculum including rich, meaningful, and authentic practicum and field experiences preparing them to become competent and committed professionals literate in inquiry, technology, data-informed decision-making, and the academic language of the discipline. True to the academic and research interests of our department faculty, our graduates are prepared to be community leaders of environmental sustainability and capable of engaging students in regional and global citizenship.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Learner Development. The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
2. Learning Differences. The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
3. Learning Environments. The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.
4. Content Knowledge. The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
5. Application of Content. The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
6. Assessment. The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
7. Planning for Instruction. The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
8. Instructional Strategies. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
9. Professional Learning and Ethical Practice. The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
10. Leadership and Collaboration. The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
If you are completing a teacher-certification program, you must apply for admission to our Teacher Education Program. We accept applications at set times each year; contact the NAU-Yuma Enrollment Services at 928-317-6400 to obtain an application packet which indicates the exact application timelines.
You must be admitted to the Secondary Education Program in order to take education coursework other than the following courses: EDU 301W, EDU 317, EDU 325, or EDU 437.
Please be aware that NAU-Yuma's Education Department's Secondary Education Program is controlled by special admission and retention standards. Our faculty members may, under certain circumstances, recommend that a student be referred to remedial instruction or to be removed from the Secondary Education Program. Also be aware that you must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 in all of your NAU coursework in order to graduate.
All NAU-YUMA Secondary Education students, prior to being admitted to Teacher Candidate status, must pass one NES Middle Grades or Secondary Assessment in Science. Students will also need to pass the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary as a State certification requirement. The test should be taken at or near the completion of the program. In addition, the academic progress of all students will be monitored regularly and assessment results will be used to determine any remediation or supplementary instruction that may be required.
To pursue an undergraduate program in Second Education, you must meet the following admission requirements:
Take the following 99 units with a Grade of "C" or better:
Foundations (15 units):
In our teacher education program, you are required to complete a student teaching experience. Student teaching includes participation in a student teaching seminar. In addition, a minimum number of units of practicum is required, which involves supervised field experience with a practicing teacher. Additional field experience may be required.
Before being accepted to student teaching, the following criteria must be met:
State Teaching Certifications
After you complete your teacher education program, you must apply to the Arizona Department of Education for certification in grades 7-12. NAU issues Institutional Recommendations for Teacher Candidates indicating that you have successfully completed the program. You must pass the Professional Knowledge and Subject Knowledge Tests of NES for Arizona certification.
Be aware that you must meet U.S. and Arizona Constitution requirements to satisfy Arizona certification requirements. This may be done through course(s) or tests. Please consult faculty or advisors.
Program and Course requirements are subject to change. Please keep informed through regular review of your education plan with faculty and advisors.
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
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.
NAU assesses a fee, in addition to tuition, of $40 for practicum (EDU 308) and $85 for each student teaching course (EDU 495C). The fee structure may change at any time; advance notice is given when possible.