Instructional Leadership, emphasis: K-12 School Leadership (MEd)
Student with faculty on laptop.

Career services


Preparing those who will prepare the next generation

Virtually everything that matters in our society and in our lives—the jobs we value, the things we build, the products we buy, the skills and discipline we each have, and even our sense of right and wrong—are all shaped by what we learn in school and how we learn about ourselves. Teachers, mental health professionals, and school leaders set the groundwork for it all. At NAU’s College of Education, we’ve seen this throughout our own history, and have built it into a hands-on college experience. This is how we create leaders in classrooms, in schools, and in the community who help improve lives that will continue to move the world forward.

N A U student lying in the grass outside while working.

Our mission

The mission of the College of Education is to empower students and alumni to confidently navigate their careers as citizens of a global world. We achieve our mission through a variety of goals, including:

  • providing tools to develop a foundation of self-awareness including knowledge of one’s strengths, interests, and values
  • coaching others in the accumulation of identity capital through the deliberate process of selecting and reflecting on experiences, in and out of the classroom
  • serving as career development leaders and innovators at NAU and beyond

Additional resources

Please visit our career development page to get additional assistance with career service areas such as:

  • majors and careers
  • career preparation
  • job searches
  • continuing your education

Teacher certification information for Arizona

The Arizona Department of Education provides helpful information on educator certifications. Learn more about certification, including information on Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA), obtaining your AEPA test results and a fingerprint clearance card, associated fees, and steps to apply for certification.

Institutional recommendation

Many of the programs offered through the COE meet the requirements for an Arizona teaching certificate or endorsement through the Arizona Department of Education. Depending on which program is completed, the student may be eligible for an Institutional Recommendation (IR) for certification from the Arizona Department of Education. Please contact your academic advisor for more information on obtaining an IR.