How To Become a Teacher Online in Arizona

If you want to become a teacher in Arizona, you'll generally need to hold at least a bachelor's degree and complete a teacher preparation program. Some colleges and universities in Arizona offer these online.

You'll also need to pass a background check and specific exams. Continue reading to see how you can become a teacher online.

Steps for Becoming a Teacher Online in Arizona

Becoming a teacher will require several steps, depending on the state. In Arizona, you'll need to complete an educator preparation program. Most students do this by earning a bachelor's degree; many bachelor's degree programs are also teacher preparation programs. Some of these programs are available online.

Aspiring teachers must also pass a background check and take the necessary exams. We've broken down the steps for becoming a teacher online in Arizona below.

1. Determine Your Area of Focus

Arizona offers a variety of preK-12 teaching certificates to students. There are grade-level certificates, such as:

• Early Childhood Education, Birth - Age 8 or Grade 3
• Elementary Education, K-8
• Middle Grades Education, 5-9
• Secondary Education, 6-12

Subject certificates:

• Art Education, PreK-12
• Dance Education, PreK-12
• Music Education, PreK-12
• Theatre Education, PreK-12
• Physical Education, PreK-12
• Athletic Coaching, 7-12
• Native American Language, PreK-12
• Specialized Secondary Certificate STEM 6-12
• Subject Matter Expert Certificate 6-12

And special education certificates:

• Early Childhood Special Education, Birth through Grade 3
• Mild/Moderate Disabilities, K-12
• Moderate/Severe Disabilities, K-12
• Hearing Impaired Special Education, Birth-Grade 12
• Visually Impaired Special Education, Birth-Grade 12

Once you've determined which certificate you want to pursue and reviewed the certification requirements, you can choose a teaching degree program that aligns with this area of focus.

2. Gain an Undergraduate Degree Online

While online teaching degrees aren't as common as other types of online degrees, they do exist. You'll do your coursework online but still need to appear in person for student teaching.

Bachelor's degrees usually take four years of full-time study to complete. To accelerate the process of earning your teaching license, look for an online degree program that's also a state-approved educator preparation program.

3. Pass a Background Check

Before you can teach in a public school district, you need to pass a background check. This is to ensure the safety of students and other teachers.

Arizona also requires that all teacher certification applicants hold a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) fingerprint card. You can obtain this IVP card, also called a Fingerprint Clearance Card, through the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

4. Participate in a Teacher Preparation Program

Most teachers in Arizona hold at least bachelor's degrees, if not master's degrees. In Arizona, the most common route to obtaining a teaching license is to complete a bachelor's degree in teaching that doubles as a teacher preparation program.

However, there are a few other routes to obtaining an Arizona teaching certification. We've broken down the different options below.

Traditional Bachelor's Degree Educator Preparation Program

In a traditional bachelor's degree educator preparation program, students will complete a bachelor's degree that is also an approved teacher preparation program. In their last semester, they will complete a 12-week student teaching experience.

Traditional or Alternative Post-Baccalaureate Educator Preparation Program

Another route to earning an Arizona teacher certification is to complete your bachelor's degree and then continue with a post-bachelor's educator preparation program. This can be either a certificate program or a master's degree.

Alternative Educator Preparation Certificate Program

The alternative educator preparation certificate program is a program specifically to certify those with an alternative teaching certificate.

An alternative teaching certificate is a two-year certificate that allows the certificate holder to teach while earning their educator certification. This path allows teachers to start their teaching career and jump into the learning environment while simultaneously earning their teaching certificate.

5. Complete Required Teaching Hours

Regardless of the path you choose, you must complete student teaching hours. During these hours, you'll be in a teaching position while under the guidance of an experienced, certified teacher.

While student teaching, you'll create lesson plans, teach lessons, grade papers, and support students. If you choose an online degree program, you may be able to do your student teaching in a school district near you.

6. Pass Arizona Educator Exams

Generally, teachers in Arizona are required to pass the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) for their grade level and subject areas, if applicable. Some teachers may be able to bypass this requirement.

The Arizona Department of Education website lists the required tests for each certification. You can learn more about each exam at the AEPA website.

7. Obtain Teaching Certification

After you've earned a degree, completed your teaching experience, passed your exams, and obtained your Fingerprint Clearance Card, you can apply for your Arizona teaching certificate. You must submit documentation of the above requirements, including official college transcripts.

The Arizona Department of Education website provides step-by-step directions for applying for your teacher certification. Note that teachers who have an out-of-state teaching license but apply to teach in Arizona have a different set of application requirements.

Online Bachelor's in Education Programs in Arizona

Below, we've featured a few online bachelor's programs in education that are offered in Arizona.

University of Phoenix � BS in Education/Elementary Education

The University of Phoenix is a private for-profit university based in Phoenix, Arizona. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in education with a concentration in elementary education.

This teacher education program is approved by the Arizona Department of Higher Education. Students take courses that cover topics like child development and classroom management, then conclude the program with student teaching in a school district of their choice.

Arizona State University � BAE in Educational Studies

Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Education in educational studies. A concentration in early childhood education is available for this major.

Note that this degree program does not lead to certification. Students who complete this program and want to become teachers in Arizona will need to complete a teacher preparation program in the form of a certificate or master's degree.

Prescott College � Bachelor's in Education

Prescott College is a private college in Prescott, Arizona. It offers several online bachelor's degrees in education, including early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education, and special education.

These programs are approved as teacher education programs by the Arizona Department of Higher Education. Students can work within a school district of their choice when completing student teaching hours.

Can I Teach in Arizona Without a Teaching Degree?

Some teachers may qualify for an Arizona teaching certification without a teaching degree, but you'll still need to complete specific coursework, as well as two years of full-time teaching experience.

The required coursework depends on what certificate you're pursuing. Teachers taking this alternative path will still need to prove their subject knowledge through the necessary AEPA exams.