2024-2025

Career and Technical Education, Graduate Certificate

Department of Educational Specialties

College of Education

The Department of Educational Specialties offers this graduate certificate plan, which is designed to meet your needs if you are completing professional knowledge courses courses to prepare for a career in career and technical education, to meet certification requirements, and/or for professional advancement. With three tracks (teaching, CTE certification, and professional development) the courses you will take are geared to promote professionalism and continual growth and development in the field of career and technical education.

    • Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Many graduate certificate programs require more than 12 credit hours.
    • No more than one 400-level NAU course (3 - 4 units) may be used on a graduate certificate program.
    • No more than twenty-five percent of the units required for the certificate program may be transferred from another university.
    • A 400-level course (undergraduate course) completed at another university is not eligible for transfer credit.
    • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than three units of coursework with a Grade of "C" may be used in a certificate program.
    • A graduate student may pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with a graduate degree. Each graduate degree program must decide which, if any, certificate courses can be counted toward the graduate degree.
    • Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program will be eligible for the official posting of the graduate certificate to their transcripts when all applicable coursework has been successfully completed and approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College.

  • Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program).  See the “Details” tab for additional information.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 15
Some online/blended coursework Required

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Graduate Certificate in Career and Technical Education is to provide professional knowledge courses for those with occupation-specific knowledge and skills. With three tracks (teaching, career and technical education certification, and professional development) the courses in this program are geared to promote professionalism and continual growth and development in the field of career and technical education. The certificate program combines fundamental career and technical education theory with professional knowledge for developing and delivering occupational training in a variety of educational settings (secondary, post-secondary/community college, business, and industry). It is ideal for those who are changing careers, seeking professional growth, or seeking opportunities for advancement in the field of career and technical education. Certificate completers will gain professional knowledge for

  • Developing and delivering occupational training in a variety of educational settings.
  • Professional advancement in career and technical education careers; and/or meeting certification requirements.
All completers will have the knowledge and ability to:
  • Be advocates for the important role career and technical education has in society.
  • Identify and articulate to stakeholders’ critical issues in the field.
  • Articulate in writing a personal philosophy for career and technical education.


Completers of the teaching track will additionally have the knowledge and ability to plan, develop, deliver, and assess instruction in a specific occupational content area. Completers of the certification track will align their learning experiences with certification requirements for their state of residence. Completers of the professional development track will develop knowledge and skills in self-identified areas of need.

Student Learning Outcomes

Core Career and Technical Education Outcomes

  • Using historical, political, social, and economic perspectives, students will be able to eloquently advocate for Career and Technical Education and its role in preparing a skilled and diverse workforce for a strong economy.
  • Engage in dialogue with professionals and stakeholders regarding the implications of the evolution of Career and Technical Education (including its definition in federal law) for schools, learners, businesses, and society.
  • Explore and define personal beliefs, vision, and role in Career and Technical Education to craft a personal philosophy statement to guide their practice and to share with others.   
  • Research, compile, and hypothesize current critical issues within the field.
  • Research and evaluate professional organizations and publications in Career and Technical Education and their content area to become and remain engaged and informed in their fields.
Teaching Track Outcomes
  • Demonstrate the ability to plan, develop, deliver, and assess CTE programs and instruction utilizing validated frameworks that address inclusion and equity and employ instructional technology effectively.
  • Select and create materials, methods, and resources to meet instructional goals and engage learners that are evaluated for bias and inclusivity.
Certification Track Outcomes
  • Complete requirements for state CTE certification in accordance with requirements from the student’s state of residence.
Professional Development Track Outcomes
  • Create an action plan to reach 3 – 5-year career goals based on data from self-assessment of professional knowledge and complete courses that address the goals and objectives from the plan.

Graduate Admission Information

  • 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:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    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.

Certificate Requirements

  • Take the following 15 units with a minimum GPA of 3.0:

    • CTE 591 (3 units)
    • CTE professional courses*
      • Chosen in consultation with your advisor (12 units)
     

    *You may include up to 4 units of 400-level CTE course classes except CTE 495C.

  • This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone certificate.

Additional Information

  • 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.