Students who wish to teach middle or high school Biology in the secondary schools (7-12) will find this degree essential. Firmly grounded in Biology, with significant work in teacher preparation through the highly acclaimed NAUTeach science and mathematics teacher certification program, the plan establishes the professional conduit for teaching this exciting subject.
This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) This program is nationally recognized by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Create the middle or high school biology classroom of the future. In this degree plan, you'll learn how to get students involved in learning about the complicated concepts they need to understand to succeed. This degree will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to be a secondary education teacher with comprehensive expertise in life sciences. Because of your knowledge, your students will tackle the environmental, health, and ecological challenges that lie ahead.
You'll also have the opportunity to complete fieldwork, laboratory exercises, and practicum experiences for your professional preparation. You'll learn advanced approaches to teaching and curriculum in a rigorous, diverse, and collaborative inquiry-based atmosphere. Earning this degree will help you move forward in your teaching career as well as enhance your students' educational experience.
In addition to being admitted to the university, you must also meet the additional admission requirements and apply for admission to the Professional Education Programs.
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 student (or candidate) performance in all Major Requirement Courses.
Please note that students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Students may transfer up to 69 units of credit from a Maricopa community college. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | 2.5 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 125 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching | Required |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
| Licensure | This program may lead to licensure. |
Purpose Statement
The NAUTeach program equips secondary mathematics and science students (or teacher candidates) with the knowledge and practices necessary to teach diverse learners in ways that are rigorous, equitable, and responsive to all students. Our program provides a challenging undergraduate progression plan solely designed to prepare mathematics and science teachers for grades 6-12. The program emphasizes the teacher candidate's ability to develop research-based pedagogy through a STEM-focused, field-intensive, rigorous curriculum. Undergraduates are highly supported by Faculty who specialize in mathematics and science education research and who 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.
Students may transfer up to 69 units of credit from a Maricopa community college.
This major requires 96 - 104 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 96 - 104 units as outlined below:
Biology Course Requirements (35 - 40 units)
General Science Course Requirements (28 - 31 units)
Teacher Preparation Courses (33 units with a Grade of "C" or better, except where noted*)
Students in the Secondary Education – Biology BSEd may pursue a dual degree with one of the following plans:
Teacher education programs require a student teaching or internship experience. A minimum number of practicum units are also required, which involves supervised field experience with a practicing teacher. These required experiences are embedded in the major requirements courses.
Before being accepted to student teaching, the following criteria must be met:
The NAU Teach program was intentionally designed to lead to licensure or certification in the state of Arizona. As part of that program design, you must pass the Secondary Professional Knowledge Exam that aligns with certification requirements in the state of Arizona.
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.
It is highly recommended that you take POS 220 (3 units) either as one of your electives or to meet one of the liberal studies requirements.
Be aware that Arizona state teacher certification requirements leading to an Institutional Recommendation may change at any time and may impact program of study requirements.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information, see information contained in the catalog or your advisor.
This degree plan is supported through the NAUTeach program.