NAU-Yuma's Education Department offers courses in teacher preparation in partnership with Arizona Western College. This transfer program is designed specifically for AWC and NAU-Yuma students and is only available at the NAU-Yuma branch campus.
Along with learning what to teach and how to teach, you have opportunities to experience increasingly complex assignments in classrooms with master teachers. We consider fieldwork and practicum experiences to be integral parts of your professional teaching preparation.
Our teacher education programs lead to professional preparation and state teaching certification in Elementary Education. To be accepted into the Elementary Education Program, you must meet criteria established by our Teacher Education Committee.
This program is accredited by the ***The program is approved by the Arizona State Board of Education.
More Information
No job is more challenging, rewarding, or important than teaching small children. As an elementary educator, you'll help shape the character—and future—of every child in your classroom. It's a big responsibility. Our elementary education program will prepare you to succeed.
Here, you’ll develop the skills to meet challenges in today’s classrooms with professional practice and lifelong learning. In addition to earning a baccalaureate degree, this plan leads to an Institutional Recommendation for Elementary Teacher Certification in the State of Arizona; you must take and pass the National Evaluation Series (NES) Elementary Education Subtest I and II subject knowledge tests.
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:
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 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching | Required |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the bachelor's degree in elementary education is to prepare professional teachers qualified to teach grades 1 through 8 in school districts serving the Lower Colorado border region of Arizona. Specifically, it is the objective of this program to address the needs of the culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse population of the region. In partnership with Arizona Western College, and using the 2NAU joint admission program, students receive the academic support services they need to successfully complete their degree. Our students become critical and reflective teachers for meaningful learning and practical application in a global community in a digital world. Students benefit from a culturally-relevant curriculum including rich, meaningful, and authentic practicum and clinical experiences preparing them to become competent and committed professionals literate in inquiry, technology, data-informed decision-making, and the academic language of the discipline. True to the academic and research interests of our department faculty, our graduates are prepared to be community leaders of environmental sustainability and capable of engaging students in regional and global citizenship.
Student Learning Outcomes
Learner and Learning
Demonstrates knowledge of the patterns and differences in cognitive, social, linguistic, emotional, and physical development of children to create inclusive learning environments that support the diverse needs of learners through engagement, self-motivation, and autonomy.
Content
Demonstrates knowledge of central concepts and tools of inquiry of content areas to build and implement accessible and meaningful learning through the use of critical thinking, creative and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
Instructional Practices
Demonstrates knowledge of assessment, planning, technology, and instructional strategies to design and deliver rigorous, engaging and integrative learning experiences.
Professional Responsibility
Demonstrates professional growth through continuing education, reflective practice, and collaboration with the school community to support all learners and advance the profession.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
If you are completing a teacher-certification program, you must apply for admission to our Teacher Education Program. We accept applications at set times each year; contact the NAU-Yuma Student Services Center at 928-317-6400 to obtain an application packet which indicates the exact application timelines.
You must be admitted to the Elementary Education Program in order to take education coursework other than the following Arizona Western College courses: MAT 130, MAT 135; EDU 210, and EDU 222 or equivalent courses taken at a community college or university and EDU 301W, EDU 317, EDU 324, and EDU 360.
Please be aware that NAU-Yuma's Education Department's Elementary Education program is controlled by special admission and retention standards. Our faculty members may, under certain circumstances, recommend that a student be referred to remedial instruction or be removed from the Elementary Education plan. Also be aware that you must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 in all of your NAU coursework in order to student teach.
It is recommneded that all NAU-Yuma Elementary Education students, prior to being fully accepted for student teaching, take the NES Elementary Education Subtests I and II subject knowledge tests. In addition, the academic progress of all students will be monitored regularly and assessment results will be used to determine any remediation or supplementary instruction that may be required.
To be eligible for full admission to the program, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Take the following 57 units:
Concentration (12 units)
Students will need to take and pass the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge test as a State certification requirement. This exam should be taken at or near the completion of the program.
In our teacher education program, you are required to complete a total of 12 units of student teaching. BSED students will enroll in 12 units of EDU 490C. BSED students who will earn the minor degree in Early Childhood Education in addition to the BSED will do a split student placement and will enroll in 8 units of EDU 490C and 4 units of EDU 492.
Student teaching includes participation in a student teaching seminar. In addition, a minimum number of units of practicum are required as part of the program, which involves supervised field experience with a practicing teacher or certified mentor teacher. Additional field experience may be required.
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 some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.