This degree prepares you to teach middle or high school chemistry (grades 7-12). It is firmly grounded in chemistry content, with significant work in teacher preparation through the highly acclaimed NAUTeach science and mathematics teacher certification program. This plan will prepare you to teach this relevant, exciting, and increasingly marketable 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).
You don't need to decide between teaching or becoming a chemist, you can do both by teaching chemistry to high school students. If this sounds like a fulfilling career, allow our program to guide you toward certification and prepare you to shape the lives of future scientists. You'll emerge from this major with the skills necessary to reach a wide range of students, and you'll enjoy a diverse and collaborative learning environment that is focused on student learning and success.
Note: 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 74 units of credit from an accredited community college. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | 2.5 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 137 |
| 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 |
| 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 candidates 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 74 units of credit from a Maricopa community college.
This major requires 93 units distributed as follows:
Take the 93 units outlined below.
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 course information contained in the course catalog or your advisor.
This degree plan is supported through the NAUTeach program.