Elementary Education (Teacher Certification), MEd
TEACH FOR AMERICA, TEACH FOR AMERICA OR TEACH ME, Teacher, edugte, mac, teachers college
With accessible formats, personalized support and a commitment to transformative education, it's no wonder our graduate programs are highly ranked. No matter where you're located, you can earn your master's degree in as few as five semesters to meet the requirements for teacher certification in elementary education.
The MEd program in elementary education with a concentration in teacher certification is for those who already hold a bachelor's degree in any field and want to become licensed to teach grades K-8. The program builds on connections between educational design and decision-making and is designed to foster strong professional growth and leadership development.
Courses are offered remotely, and students select one of two modalities:
- ASU Sync offers a number of courses with regularly scheduled evening classes via synchronous learning over Zoom. Instructors and students are not in the same physical space but do meet at the same time, offering a live learning experience with peers and faculty. Students on I-20 visas are not permitted to complete courses via ASU Sync and should speak with an advisor about other options to complete this program.
- ASU Online offers classes via asynchronous instruction. Instructors and students are not in the same physical space and do not meet at the same time, allowing students to complete coursework on their own schedules. Students completing the program through ASU Online must be admitted to the online campus.
The program of study is flexible, and students can complete it within five semesters with the appropriate internship or residency placements. Students can also enroll part-time over additional semesters.
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College faculty actively engage in the educational research community, bringing new and relevant knowledge into the program. Students engage in their own research through an applied project capstone experience, deepening their knowledge and improving their practice through research, critical evaluation and application of education concepts.
A series of professional experiences assist students in developing a thorough understanding of teaching and learning as they apply knowledge from their coursework in varied school settings. Individualized guidance through the clinical framework provides students with the support they need to become effective educators.
This program offers two routes leading to Arizona teacher certification:
- In the traditional certification route, students complete three professional experiences; at least one is an internship, and one is a residency. The first professional experience must be an internship, and students can then progress to a full-time teaching residency. For their third professional experience, students can select another internship or residency.
- The alternative certification route provides an alternative pathway to teacher certification for individuals who are currently employed full-time by a school as a teacher of record. To qualify, individuals must secure a full-time teaching position in an approved K-8 placement.
The coursework is the same in both certification routes and culminates in a research project in which students apply what they have learned to address a problem of practice or a topic related to education.
Graduates earn an institutional recommendation from ASU that is recognized by the Arizona Department of Education for teacher certification in Elementary Education, K-8. To teach in an Arizona public school, graduates must pass the appropriate Arizona educator exams: National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments.
ASU Sync
Students seeking to use GI Bill® benefits for ASU Sync programs should contact the Pat Tillman Veterans Center regarding certain limitations.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
- College/school:
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
- Location: Online
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
33 credit hours including the required applied project course (EED 593) - Alternative Certification, or
33 credit hours including the required applied project course (EED 593) - Traditional Certification
Required Core (5 credit hours) Concentration (16 credit hours) SEI Endorsement (3 credit hours) Other Requirements (6 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Alternative pathway students choose six credit hours of apprentice teaching and internship as their other required coursework from a pre-approved list. At least four credits must be apprentice teaching. Students switching routes from traditional certification may substitute Student Teaching for two credits of Apprentice Teaching with permission from the program. Traditional pathway students choose six credit hours from internship and student teaching as their other required coursework from a pre-approved list. At least two credits must be internship and at least two credits must be student teaching. Students switching routes from alternative certification may substitute Apprentice Teaching for Student Teaching with permission from the program. Students should see the academic unit for the appropriate other requirements and elective coursework. If a student plans to switch pathways mid-program, the student must reach out to the academic unit for appropriate advisement.
TEL 510 Instructional Design, Planning and Assessment (2)
TEL 517 Creating Equitable Learning Environment: Decision Making and Action (3)
EED 529 Science Teaching Methods for Elementary School (2)
EED 532 Literacy Methods of Instruction and Assessment for Diverse Learners (3)
EED 534 Social Studies Methods and Assessments (2)
EED 537 K-8 Mathematics Methods and Assessment (3)
TEL 502 Exploration of Education: Child/Adolescent Development and Foundations of Special Education (3)
TEL 531 Foundations of Literacy: The Science of Reading (3)
ELL 515 Structured English Immersion Methods (3)
6 credit hours of Alternative Certification Pathway courses, or
6 credit hours of Traditional Certification Pathway courses
EED 593 Applied Project (3)
Students select one of the alternative certification or traditional certification pathways.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- three letters of recommendation
- personal statement
- resume
- IVP fingerprint clearance card issued by the state of Arizona
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program.
The personal statement should describe the applicant's interests and reason for seeking this degree.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
Graduates of Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College are highly sought-after teachers in public, charter and private education institutions. They possess skills in teaching, conducting research, utilizing technology and collaborating in teams --- all of which prepare them to succeed in educational careers working with learners in grades K-8.
ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.
Division of Teacher Preparation
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ED 118
GraduateEducation@asu.edu
480-965-5555
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
