State hub
How to become a teacher in Arizona
Prep providers
43
Completers
6,157
Newly licensed
6,175
Colleges (IPEDS)
110
Credential rules change. Confirm current requirements with Arizona Department of Education.
Steps drawn from the state's data
- Earn a bachelor's degree. At least one initial credential requires one.
- Complete a teacher preparation program. Arizona has 43 Title II providers.
- Complete clinical experience such as student teaching.
- Pass the tests the state requires (Title II reports that tests are required, not which ones).
- Complete a background check or fingerprinting.
- Apply to Arizona Department of Education for an initial credential, such as Classroom-based Teaching Certificate; Specialized Secondary Science Technology Engineering or Mathematics (STEM); Standard Professional Arts Education Certificate (PreK-12); Standard Professional Dance Education (PreK-12).
- Career changers can use one of 2 alternative routes instead of a traditional program.
Teacher preparation providers in Arizona
| Provider | Program types | Enrollment | Completers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant International University (AZ) | Alternative, not IHE-based | 6 | 1 |
| Arizona Christian University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 115 | 21 |
| AZ Autism | Alternative, not IHE-based | 16 | 0 |
| AZ State Univ-ML Fulton Teachers College | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 2,782 | 953 |
| Casa Grande Elementary School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 11 | 1 |
| Central Arizona College | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 31 | 3 |
| Chandler Unified School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 26 | 0 |
| Crane Elementary School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 1 | 0 |
| Deer Valley Unified School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 72 | 10 |
| Dysart Unified School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 11 | 0 |
| Gilbert Unified School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 66 | 22 |
| Glendale Community College | Traditional | 37 | 0 |
| Grand Canyon University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 21,998 | 3,327 |
| iTEACHARIZONA | Alternative, not IHE-based | 55 | 1 |
| Klassroom, Teacher Certification Program | Alternative, not IHE-based | 88 | 47 |
| Lake Havasu Unified School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 7 | 7 |
| Litchfield Elementary School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 21 | 20 |
| Mesa Unified School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 102 | 33 |
| Mohave Community College | Alternative, IHE-based | 12 | 2 |
| Moreland University AZ | Alternative, IHE-based | 43 | 11 |
| Northern Arizona University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 1,430 | 516 |
| Northern Arizona University - Yuma | Traditional | 5 | 5 |
| Northland Pioneer College | Traditional | 23 | 0 |
| Ottawa University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 43 | 18 |
| Paradise Valley Community College | Traditional | 98 | 0 |
| Paradise Valley Unified School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 27 | 8 |
| Pima Community College | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 327 | 84 |
| Prescott College | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 45 | 5 |
| Prescott Unified School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 9 | 0 |
| Queen Creek Unified School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 10 | 10 |
| Rio Salado College | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 675 | 154 |
| Scottsdale Community College | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 37 | 29 |
| Teach US | Alternative, not IHE-based | 6 | 0 |
| Teachers of Tomorrow | Alternative, not IHE-based | 1,502 | 35 |
| Tempe Union High School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 3 | 0 |
| TNTP | Alternative, not IHE-based | 0 | 0 |
| Tucson Unified School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 25 | 20 |
| United States University | Traditional | 1 | 0 |
| University of Arizona | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 760 | 240 |
| University of Phoenix | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 9,465 | 555 |
| Vail Unified School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 3 | 1 |
| Washington Elementary School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 46 | 18 |
| Yuma Union High School District | Alternative, not IHE-based | 38 | 0 |
About teacher preparation in Arizona
This is the guiding vision of the Arizona Department of Education, the state agency tasked with overseeing Arizona's K-12 public education system. Our department, led by a publicly elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, comprises more than 600 staff across four state offices working to serve Arizona's students, families, educators, and school communities.