2023-2024

Bilingual Endorsement - Arizona Department of Education, Endorsement

Department of Educational Specialties

College of Education

We offer courses that meet the requirements for both Bilingual Education and ESL endorsements, and you can incorporate this coursework into your MEd plan in Bilingual and Multicultural Education. However, the MEd does not automatically lead to an endorsement.

After you have completed the appropriate courses, you can obtain the endorsement by applying directly to the Arizona Department of Education. Individuals who have the Arizona Bilingual Education Endorsement are also approved to teach English as a second language.

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

  • After you have completed the appropriate courses, you can obtain the endorsement by applying directly to the Arizona Department of Education. To receive an endorsement, you must also be certified to teach elementary, secondary, or special education; the endorsement alone does not certify you to teach in Arizona. All endorsements are granted through the Arizona Department of Education.

    Visit the Arizona Department of Education Educator Certification website for more information and access to the applications for endorsements.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 21
Foreign Language Required
Arizona Endorsement

Prepares student for Arizona Endorsement.

Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching Optional

Arizona Endorsement Requirements
    • The practicum experience may be waived by documenting two years of certified teaching experience in a bilingual setting.


  • Additional Requirement for those seeking this endorsement on a special-education certificate:
    • Complete an additional 3 units in ESE 520

    Language proficiency must be documented by means of one of the following:
    • Proficiency in a spoken language other than English, verified by the language department of an accredited institution
    • A passing score on the Arizona Classroom Spanish Proficiency Examination approved by the State Board of Education
    • A passing score on the Navajo Language Test
    • Verification of proficiency in a single language by NAU's Department of Modern Languages
    • Verification of proficiency in an American Indian language, signed by an official designated by the appropriate tribe