2017-2018

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 for a CTE certificate or for professional advancement.

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2024

    • 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
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Some online/blended coursework Required

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Certificate in Career and Technical Education, is to provide professional knowledge courses for those with occupation specific knowledge and skills.  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.   It is ideal for those who seek professional advancement in the field of career and technical education or who require professional knowledge courses for certification renewal.   Certificate completers will have the knowledge and ability to plan, develop, deliver, and assess instruction in their occupational area.   

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate understanding of the foundations of Career and Technical Education

  • Demonstrate familiarity and understanding of the Career and Technical Education terminology and legal definitions 
  • Explain functional, historical, and philosophical contexts of Career and Technical Education
  • Research and describe through verbal presentations current critical issues within the field
  • Develop a personal philosophy of Career and Technical Education
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to plan and develop instruction
  • Demonstrate ability to pre-assess prior knowledge to plan for effective instruction
  • Select materials, methods, and resources to meet instructional goals
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to deliver and assess instruction
  • Demonstrate ability to employ a variety of teaching methods to effectively engage  learners
  • Evaluate learning, provide appropriate feedback to learners, and objectively judge effectiveness of content delivery methods
4. Students will gain competence in the use a wide variety of multimedia technology tools

 

Additional Admission Requirements

  • 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:

    • 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.

    • Responses to Specific Essay Questions
Certificate Requirements

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

    • CTE Core: CTE 592, CTE 591 (6 units)
    • CTE Methods: CTE 465 or CTE 565 (3 units)
    • Additional units of CTE professional courses chosen with your advisor (6 units)
    All courses in this certificate program are eligible for transfer to the Career and Technical Education program.

  • This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Under both circumstances, federal financial aid can be used for this certificate.

  • For the 2018-19 and future catalogs, 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.

  • 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.