Elementary Education (Teacher Certification), MEd
Combine teacher certification preparation with a master's degree through this certification program. This concentration emphasizes educational design, decision-making, leadership and professional growth.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation and professional licensure
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Elementary Education (Teacher Certification), MEd description
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in any field and want to become licensed to teach kindergarten through grade 8 students, the Master of Education program in elementary education with a concentration in teacher certification is for you.
If you are seeking certification in art, music or physical education at the elementary level, then you are not be served by this program. Additionally, this program is not intended for you if you are pursuing certification while serving in a single-subject teaching role in these disciplines.
The program builds on connections between educational design and decision-making and is designed to foster strong professional growth and leadership development. The program of study is flexible, and you can complete it within five semesters with the appropriate professional experience placements. You can also enroll part-time over additional semesters.
Faculty actively engage in the educational research community, bringing new and relevant knowledge into the program. You engage in your own research through an applied project capstone experience, deepening your knowledge and improving your practice through research, critical evaluation and application of education concepts.
A series of professional experiences assist you in developing a thorough understanding of teaching and learning as you apply knowledge from your coursework in varied school settings. Individualized guidance through the clinical framework provides you with the support you need to become an effective educator.
This program offers two routes leading to Arizona teacher certification:
- In the traditional certification route, you complete three professional experiences: two internships and one student teaching.
- 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, you must secure a full-time teaching position in an approved K-8 placement. You complete three professional experiences in the alternative pathway.
The coursework is the same in both certification routes and culminates in a research project in which you apply what you've learned to address a problem of practice or a topic related to education.
As a graduate of this program, you earn an institutional recommendation from ASU that's recognized by the Arizona Department of Education for teacher certification in Elementary Education, K-8. To teach in an Arizona public school, you must pass the appropriate Arizona educator exams: National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments.
Why specialize in elementary education (teacher certification) at ASU?
At ASU's Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, you find pathways designed to guide you toward teacher certification and prepare you for a career in teaching.
Enjoy the full range of traditions and resources that come with being part of ASU, while also connecting with the more intimate MLFC community of peers who share your passions and professional interests.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
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 as their other required coursework from a pre-approved list. Students switching routes from traditional certification may substitute student teaching for two credits of apprentice teaching with permission from the program. Traditional pathway students complete 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 the Arts (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 (SEI) 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.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Execute an instructional cycle using research-based pedagogical practices and theories appropriate for a range of learners
- Create learning experiences that address the content disciplines to engage learners in accessible, relevant, and meaningful content to ensure critical thinking and mastery of the content.
- Create and maintain inclusive, equitable learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning experiences, utilize high leverage practices, and foster critical thinking, active engagement, and well-being for all learners
- Use multiple methods of assessment and sources of data to evaluate various aspects of learners
- Apply strategies for teaming to meet students’ needs
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate strategies to promote habits of mind
- Build and implement a professional growth plan using evidence and reflective practices
- Advocate for students, families, and communities with an understanding of the historical, social, local, or global context
- Self-reflect and assess personal contributions for shaping and supporting the mission of a school/organization's culture
- Apply expectations of the profession
- Analyze key ethical issues present in a prominent social or cultural problem in education, including the ways different ethical perspectives influence decision making related to the issue
- Examine previous understandings and assumptions and articulate the impact of the local/cultural context, personal histories, and relevant experiences on problem(s) of practice
- Engage in iterative cycles of inquiry in collaborative educational contexts and systems to imagine new concepts, catalyze ideas, and form new solutions, guided by principles and research that create positive change for learners.
- Analyze a relevant problem of practice in an educational context and system informed by major theories, theorists, and/or frameworks
- Implement an applied project, synthesize the findings and defend the significance and implications of the study as relevant to social and global context
- Utilize research findings to improve their own practice
- Apply relevant interdisciplinary perspectives and methods to current practices as an educator
Execute an instructional cycle using research-based pedagogical practices and theories appropriate for a range of learners Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation. 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: Additional Application Information The personal statement should describe the personal and professional goals that motivated the applicant to apply to the program, and explain what led the applicant to this career path and how they will excel as an educator. The admission committee pays particular attention to the quality of writing and ideas expressed in the personal statement. The professional resume should be one to two pages and include relevant personal, professional, educational and community activities. The personal statement and professional resume should be prepared in one of the following file formats: MS Word (.doc), rich text (.rtf), Portable Document Format (.pdf), or text (.txt). The letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The following are accepted to meet this requirement:
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this elementary education (teacher certification) program prepares you for
Graduates 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.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Division for Advancing Educator Preparation
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ED 118
GraduateEducation@asu.edu
480-965-5555
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
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. 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.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
