2013-2014

Elementary Education - Certification, Master of Education

Department of Teaching and Learning

College of Education

We designed this academic plan to deepen your knowledge of issues and current research on best practices in the field, while preparing you to be a teacher in grades K-8.Preparing skilled teachers has been a part of NAU's heritage from its earliest years. Those who earn this degree will be ready to contribute to this essential part of community and country-the education of young people, the breath of the future.

This program is nationally recognized by the Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc.

This program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan 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):

Minimum Units for Completion 46
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Arizona Certification/Endorsement

Prepares student for Arizona Certification and/or Endorsement.
Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching is required.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • 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 Graduate College.

    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.

      • Prerequisites (completed prior to enrolling in the program)
      • ENG 101 & ENG 102, or ENG 105 (or equivalent)  with a minimum cumulative English GPA of 3.0, 2. College Algebra or an approved math course with a minimum grade of C
    • IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
    • Privacy forms
    • Program of study signed by applicant and advisor
Master's Requirements

  • Take the following 46 units:

    Select one course from (3 units):
    Select one course from (3 units):
    * This is a full-day, field-based, student-teaching capstone, occurring over a sixteen-week period, that is tied to a 1-unit reflection seminar.

    In addition to earning a Master’s degree, this plan meets the Arizona requirements for K-8 teacher certification and provides an institutional recommendation that you can use to obtain K-8 teacher certification in Arizona.

    This degree is considered a terminal degree; you cannot apply it toward a doctoral degree.

  • 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.