Early Childhood Pathways to Certification

Early Childhood teachers are certified to teach in early childhood classrooms from Birth to Grade 3 or Age 8 as "self-contained" teachers teaching all subjects to one class of students. Currently certified Elementary and Special Education teachers may add an Early Childhood Endorsement to their existing certificate with verification of 3 years teaching in grades PK-3 or by meeting other requirements.

 

Teachers seeking initial certification in Early Childhood Education complete an Educator Preparation Program that leads to certification. The following pathways are approved to lead to the Early Childhood Certificate:

 

Traditional Bachelor's Pathway to Certification

The traditional pathway to teacher certification is designed for individuals pursuing an initial bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Candidates in a traditional program complete a course of study that meets all university requirements for the chosen degree and leads to a standard early childhood PK-3 teaching certificate. Traditional programs conclude with a practicum serving children birth through PK and a 12-week capstone student teaching experience in a self-contained K-3 classroom.

Upon completion of all program requirements and student teaching, candidates in a Board approved teacher preparation program are awarded a bachelor's degree and issued an institutional recommendation that may be used to apply for an Arizona Standard Early Childhood Education Birth-Grade 3 or Age 8 Certificate.

Approved Bachelor's Degree Programs:

Traditional or Alternative Post-Baccalaureate Pathway to Certification

The traditional post-baccalaureate pathway to teacher certification is designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree in any field pursuing a post-baccalaureate certificate program or a master’s degree program in early childhood education. Candidates complete a course of study that meets all college or university requirements for a post-baccalaureate certificate or a master's degree and leads to a standard early childhood PK-3 teaching certificate. Candidates have two options for meeting the student teaching requirement:

  • In a traditional route, candidates complete a capstone 12-week student teaching experience in a K-3 classroom.
  • In an alternative route, candidates may teach full-time as a salaried teacher in a PK-3 classroom while completing program requirements. This full-time teaching experience meets the student teaching requirement for certification.

Upon completion of all program requirements and student teaching or verified teaching experience, candidates in a Board approved teacher preparation program are issued an institutional recommendation that may be used to apply for an Arizona Standard Early Childhood Education Birth-Grade 3 or Age 8 Certificate.

Approved Post-Baccalaureate Programs:
 

Dual Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education Pathway to Certification

The dual early childhood/early childhood special education pathway is designed for individuals seeking certification in both early childhood PK-3 education and early childhood PK-3 special education. Individuals may complete either a bachelor's or a master's degree program that leads to certification for both certificates.  This program concludes with one capstone 8-week student teaching experience in early childhood general education and one capstone 8-week student teaching experience in special education. Candidates pursuing a master's degree have two options for meeting the student teaching requirement:

  • In a traditional route, candidates complete two 8-week capstone student teaching experiences in a K-3 classroom.
  • In an alternative route, candidates may teach full-time as a salaried teacher in a PK-3 special education classroom while completing program requirements. This full-time teaching experience meets the student teaching requirement for certification.

Upon completion of all program requirements and student teaching or verified teaching experience, candidates in a Board approved teacher preparation program are issued an institutional recommendation which may be used to apply for an Arizona Standard Early Childhood Education Birth-Grade 3 or Age 8 Certificate and an Arizona Standard Early Childhood Special Education Birth-Grade 3 or Age 8 Certificate.

Approved Dual Certificate Programs:
 

Arizona State Board of Education Approved Programs

How to proceed:

1. Choose the best-matched pathway program appropriate to you.

2. Enroll and complete all program requirements.

3. Take and pass the AEPA Professional Knowledge Early Childhood (AZ093) and Subject Knowledge Early Childhood (Az036) exams.

  • Individuals enrolled in a dual program must also pass the AEPA Special Education: Early Childhood (AZ083) exam.

4. Receive an Institutional Recommendation from your institution.

5. Ensure you meet all certificate requirements and apply for certification here.

See Also

-  Requirements for Early Childhood Birth-Grade 3 or Age 8 Certification -  Requirements for Early Childhood Special Education Birth-Age 8 or Grade 3 Certification -  Requirements for Early Childhood Birth-Grade 3 or Age 8 Endorsement (for currently certified educators) -  Testing Information -  Alternative Program Contact Information