Two options for acquiring teaching certification


Benjamin Wyatt Quote
Science teachers are in high demand in the US. The need for them is expected only to grow over the coming years, making the pursuit of a science teaching certificate a smart career move.

Note: Certification is granted by the state, not the university. You will need to complete additional requirements, including:

  • an application form
  • a fee
  • Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments

For more information about these requirements, visit the Arizona Department of Education website.

Master of Arts teaching science with certification (MAT-S) 

This degree-granting program allows you to acquire a teaching certificate while benefitting from additional teaching support through your coursework.

Graduate certificate in science teaching (C-MOST)

This program grants you a graduate certificate that leads to Arizona secondary teacher certification in one of the following:

  • physics
  • chemistry
  • earth science
  • biology
  • general science

You might also consider enrolling as a dual-degree seeking student in this program and a master’s degree granting program. Contact your adviser to discuss this option.

In this program, you will observe and teach in a secondary classroom while a practicing classroom teacher mentors you.

Courses

Courses for this program are offered at the Flagstaff campus and online. These courses are offered via web conferencing so extended campuses students and Flagstaff students can meet together.

Learn more about the courses you can enroll in:
Download the science program of study in Word or PDF format

Visit the NAU academic catalog for more information.

Admission

In order to be admitted to the C-MOST program, you must apply both to the program and to the Graduate College.

The deadline to submit your admission materials is three weeks before the beginning of the fall or spring semester during which you plan to begin your studies. (View the current registration calendar for an exact date.) Please be sure to review the application requirements several months in advance so that you have time to prepare your materials before submission.

To apply to the C-MOST program:

1) Download the C-MOST science application in Word or PDF format

2) Contact Sharon Cardenas, the C-MOST adviser, and send her your unofficial transcripts for review:

Sharon Cardenas
Associate Director, Faculty
Phone: 928.523.7430
Bldg. 21, Rm. 102
Email: Sharon.Cardenas@nau.edu

3) Complete your application and submit it by e-mail to Sharon Cardenas or standard mail to: 

Address: 
NAU/CSTL
C-MOST
P.O. Box 5697
Flagstaff, AZ
86011