Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Education Certification, Undergraduate Certificate

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the postbaccalaureate program in education is to prepare individuals who already have bachelor’s degrees to be highly qualified professional teachers in their degree concentration area of their major or minor. It responds to the needs of non-certified school personnel, retirees, career changers, and retired military. This undergraduate certificate program facilitates student development in the philosophy, theories, concepts, and practices of general and discipline-specific education. 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 Development. The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
•  Learning Differences. The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
• Learning Environments. The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.
• Content Knowledge. The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
• Application of Content. The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
• Assessment. The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
• Planning for Instruction. The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
• Instructional Strategies. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
• Professional Learning and Ethical Practice. The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
• Leadership and Collaboration. The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

Additional Admission Requirements

• 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 Enrollment Services at 928-317-6400 to obtain an application packet which indicates the exact application timelines.

• • You must be admitted to the Secondary Education Program in order to take education coursework other than the following courses EDU 101, EDU 288, EDU 317, EDU 325 or EDU 437.
  • Please be aware that NAU-Yuma’s Education Department’s Secondary 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 to be removed from the Secondary Education Program. 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 graduate.

• • All NAU-YUMA Secondary Education students, prior to being admitted to Teacher Candidate status (to begin), must pass one NES Secondary Subject Knowledge Exam. Students will also need to pass the NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Secondary as a State certification requirement. The test should be taken at or near the completion of the program. 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 pursue a Post-Baccalaureate program in Secondary Education, you must meet the following admission requirements:
    • Recommendation Form (included in the application packet) completed by someone who has directly observed your work with children or adolescents within the ages of pre-school through high school. Such work experience can be either voluntary or paid, but must have occurred in a structured setting for a minimum of fifteen hours. Examples of acceptable experience may include work as a camp counselor, swimming instructor, Sunday school teacher, volunteer in a classroom, or other similar settings.
    • Attendance at a program orientation and attendance at the Secondary Education Seminar.
    • A copy of your State-approved Identity-Verified Print (IVP) fingerprint clearance card. You may pick up an application packet in the AC Building reception area.
    • Be admitted to NAU.

Certificate Requirements

• Take the following with a 30 units with a Grade of “C” or better in each course: 
   

  Foundations (15 units)

  • EDU 101, EDU 288, EDU 317, EDU 325, EDU 437

• Curriculum Methods (7 units)

  • EDU 308, EDU 455, EDU 460

• Student Teaching or Internship (8 units)

  • EDU 495C

Teacher Preparation

• • In our teacher education program, you are required to complete a student teaching or internship experience. Student teaching includes participation in a student teaching seminar.  In addition, a minimum number of units of practicum is required which involves supervised field experience with a practicing teacher. Additional field experience may be required. 
  • Before being accepted to student teaching or internship, the following criteria must be met:
    • Admission to the teacher education program.
    • NAU GPA must be at least 2.5, with a GPA of 2.5 in all teacher preparation courses, with no grade lower than a “C”.
    • Complete all plan requirements prior to student teaching or internship.
    • All education courses and departmental requirements, with the exception of *EDU 110 must be completed within the six years prior to student teaching or internship. EDU 110 is an Arizona Western College course.
    • Pass one NES Secondary Subject Knowledge Exam. 
    • All Teacher Candidates must demonstrate social and emotional maturity consistent with professional standards of classroom instruction as well as adequate physical health for teaching.
  • State Teaching Certifications
    • After you complete your teacher education program, you must apply to the Arizona Department of Education for certification in grades 6-12. NAU issues Institutional Recommendations for Teacher Candidates indicating that you have successfully completed the program. You must pass the Professional Knowledge and Subject Knowledge Tests of NES for Arizona certification.
    • Be aware that you must meet U.S. and Arizona Constitution requirements to satisfy Arizona certification requirements. This may be done through course(s) or tests. Please consult faculty or advisors. 
    • Program and Course requirements are subject to change. Please keep informed through regular review of your education plan with faculty and advisors.

• This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Under both circumstances, federal financial aid can be used for this certificate.

Additional Information

• 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.