This program is accredited by the ***The program is seeking state approval through the Arizona Department of Education. Notification of approval status is anticipated by December 2019.
More Information
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 candidate performance on key assessments embedded in the following course(s):
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
Major GPA | 2.5 |
Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 155 |
Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching | Required |
University Honors Program | Optional |
Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The B.S.Ed. Dual Certification in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education leads to Arizona teacher dual certification, providing candidates with the necessary foundation to teach young children age’s birth to 8. This nationally recognized program emphasizes sound pedagogical practices while stressing the skills, knowledge, and dispositions necessary to enter the field of education with confidence. Candidates engage in a purposeful program of study grounded in theory and infused with practical experiences in schools. Candidates complete foundational coursework in mathematics, educational foundations, political science, bilingual and multi-cultural education, educational psychology, special education, and curriculum and instruction. Throughout the program of study, students participate in rich practica experiences and the degree culminates with student teaching in kindergarten through grade three placements.
Throughout the program of study, candidates demonstrate outcomes aligned to standards affiliated with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium, and the International Society for Educational Technology (ISTE). Nationally recognized by NAEYC and CEC, the program is designed to: promote child development and learning; build family and community relationships; use a variety of assessment strategies to support young children and families; promote developmentally effective teaching and learning approaches, use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum, and identify and conduct themselves as members of the early childhood profession.
Candidates who complete this program will be prepared to join the next wave of early childhood educators—people who will dramatically shape and influence the lives of children in educational venues, as well as non-profits, state and national agencies, and other venues.
Student Learning Outcomes
Outcomes align with Standards from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) are included.
Grounded in a strong child development knowledge base this degree program enables candidates to use their understanding of young children's characteristics and needs, and multiple interacting influences on children's development and learning. This knowledge prepares the candidates to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
To be eligible for admission to the program, candidates must meet the following requirements:
45 units of coursework which includes:
Take the following 89 units with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and all courses with a Grade of "C" or better.
In all of our teacher education programs, you are required to complete a student teaching or internship experience. In addition, a minimum number of units of practicum is required, which involves supervised field experience with a practicing teacher.
Before being accepted to student teaching, the following criteria must be met:
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.
Be aware that Arizona state teacher certification requirements leading to Institutional Recommendations may change at any time, and may impact program of study requirements.
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.