2024-2025

Computer Science Education, Graduate Certificate

School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

K-12 students learn in a technology-driven world, but to be more than just consumers of technology, students must develop the computational thinking skills that enable digital innovation. Computer Science is emerging as a new "basic skill" for workers to engage in transformative high-tech careers that change the lives of students and their families through enhanced social mobility and economic opportunity.

This program has been designed for educators who teach K-12 STEM courses and seek an endorsement in computer science. Computer Science I for Teachers and Foundations for Teaching Computer Science provides a solid foundation in computer programming and pedagogical strategies for teaching computer science concepts in K-12 classrooms.

Furthermore, to satisfy the 9 credit hours requirement for K-6 endorsement, educators should select one elective course from the available options, such as Web Programming for Teachers and Discovering Informatics for Teachers. Web Programming for Teachers foundations of software development principles focusing on web programming. This course emphasizes creating reactive websites that align with best practices of User Experience (UX) design. Discovering Informatics for Teachers introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of informatics, encompassing the study of information, computing, and technology in various domains through fundamental common informatics paradigms and application to real-world datasets. For those aspiring to obtain a K-12 endorsement and complete this graduate certificate, an additional elective course is needed to fulfill the requirement of 12 credits. Completion of both courses meets this requirement.

By completing these core and elective classes, educators can accumulate the necessary credit hours and acquire the knowledge and skills in computer science, informatics, and web programming to become highly qualified instructors capable of integrating STEM concepts into their teaching practices effectively.

This plan is available for students as of Fall 2025

    • 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 Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.

  • 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 12
Major GPA 3.0

Purpose Statement

K-12 students learn in a technology-driven world, but to be more than just consumers of technology, students must develop the computational thinking skills that enable digital innovation. Computer Science is emerging as a new "basic skill" for workers to engage in transformative high-tech careers that change the lives of students and their families through enhanced social mobility and economic opportunity.

This program has been designed for educators who teach K-12 STEM courses and seek an endorsement in computer science. Computer Science I for Teachers and Foundations for Teaching Computer Science provides a solid foundation in computer programming and pedagogical strategies for teaching computer science concepts in K-12 classrooms.

Furthermore, to satisfy the 9 credit hours requirement for K-6 endorsement, educators should select one elective course from the available options, such as Web Programming for Teachers and Discovering Informatics for Teachers. Web Programming for Teachers foundations of software development principles focusing on web programming. This course emphasizes creating reactive websites that align with best practices of User Experience (UX) design. Discovering Informatics for Teachers introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of informatics, encompassing the study of information, computing, and technology in various domains through fundamental common informatics paradigms and application to real-world datasets. For those aspiring to obtain a K-12 endorsement and complete this graduate certificate, an additional elective course is needed to fulfill the requirement of 12 credits. Completion of both courses meets this requirement.

By completing these core and elective classes, educators can accumulate the necessary credit hours and acquire the knowledge and skills in computer science, informatics, and web programming to become highly qualified instructors capable of integrating STEM concepts into their teaching practices effectively.

Student Learning Outcomes

Identify, explain, and apply appropriate analytic thinking and quantitative reasoning methods.

  • Identify, explain, and apply the fundamental methodology of computer science in programming.
  • Apply appropriate programming fundamentals to STEM fields.
  • Create and apply best practice pedagogy in K-12 Computer Science education.
  • Compose and engage in effective written and oral communication of computer science topics.

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 Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.

    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 12 units:

    • CS 502, CS 503, CS 504, CS 505 (12 units)

  • 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.