This degree is intended for secondary education students whose primary emphasis/teaching area is physics. This academic plan also prepares you to obtain additional certification in mathematics or chemistry. This plan meets or exceeds the No-Child-Left-Behind "highly qualified" national and state standards. This plan gives you the tools to open the minds of high-school students to the wonders of the universe as seen through the practical eyes of physics.
This program is nationally recognized by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).
This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
More Information
If you have a fascination with physics and a passion for helping others understand it, you may enjoy a career in teaching high school physics. Earning a degree in secondary education and physics could be the best way to get there.
While you develop expertise in physics, you’ll also take course preparing you to develop curriculum and make your classroom a productive environment for your students. Enjoy a rigorous but collaborative learning environment, where you’ll graduate ready to put your new-found knowledge to work shaping the educational experiences of generations to come.
Note: You must apply and be accepted to the College of Education’s teacher education program in addition to being admitted to the university.
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:
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):
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | 2.5 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 239 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching | Required |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The NAUTeach program is a challenging undergraduate course of study solely designed to prepare mathematics and science teachers for grades 6-12. The program emphasizes the pre-service teacher’s ability to develop research-based pedagogy through a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) focused, field intensive, rigorous curriculum. This allows undergraduate students to be highly supported by faculty who specialize in mathematics and science education research and Master Teachers that have years of professional classroom experience. Our program is designed for students with strong skills in mathematics or science seeking certification to teach biology, chemistry, physics, Earth sciences, general science, or mathematics at the secondary level.
The NAUTeach program, modeled after the successful UTeach program at the University of Texas, provides opportunities for you to:
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
To be eligible for admission to the teacher education program, candidates must meet the following requirements and apply for the program online.
30 units of coursework which includes:
Take the following 78 - 80 units:
Mathematics and Science Teaching Courses (30 units)
Note: TSM 495C meets Northern Arizona University's senior capstone requirement.
In all of our teacher education programs, you are required to apply for, and complete a student teaching or internship experience. Applications are due one year prior to the student teaching semester. In addition, a minimum number of units of practicum is required, which involves supervised field experience with a practicing teacher.
Before being accepted to student teaching, the following criteria must be met:
In order to obtain an AZ teaching certificate, you must pass the following required Arizona Educator Exams
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 Arizona state teacher certification requirements leading to Institutional Recommendations may change at any time, and may impact program of study requirements.
You may not count more than one "D" toward the major and emphasis requirements for this degree.
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.
This degree plan is supported through the NAUTeach program.