Completion of the AZUN Teacher Certification Program will result in the student's home institution issuing an Institutional Recommendation for teacher certification* to the State. Additional requirements for teacher certification are required by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), including portions of the Arizona Educator's Proficiency Assessment (AEPA), and a fingerprint clearance card. Check with ADE for current requirements.

The program consists of 31 credit hours and courses are provided from NAU. Refer to the AZUN Description of Required Courses for more information.

Program delivery may be provided in cohort groups over a 1 or 2 year period, or students may progress through the program at their own pace. Cohort groups of students progress through the program, taking the same courses together at the same time.

Although the majority of coursework is completed online in web-delivered classes, each cohort group meets face-to-face for 3 weekend meetings spread over the duration of the program. Video-Conferenced meetings will also be held. Students will have a variety of web-delivered discussions and assignments, as well as in-person field experiences and practicum coursework. Face-to-face meetings will be held to complete and present specific course-related assignments and for the participation in a combination of seminars and institutes that focus on relevant issues and topics. This allows for a variety of online and face-to-face, synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities that combine to maximize students' learning experience. This also allows for program flexibility and takes advantage of the strengths of each delivery medium.

This program targets candidates who already hold degrees in a science, mathematics, engineering or technology field. Academic advising and transcript analysis is critical to the admission process because of the No Child Left Behind Legislation and the Arizona Educators' Proficiency Assessment requirements.

Once accepted into the program, students may register for courses, pay tuition, and purchase textbooks. The advisor/program coordinator will coordinate and process registration. Students will receive student services and technical assistance from the university from which they are taking coursework. Student teaching and practicum placement will be arranged and supervision provided by NAU; in most every state-wide location. Out-of-state placement is possible; contact the program advisor/coordinator for more information.

*Institutional Recommendation currently only available for the science content area program. NAU will be submitting to ADE for the mathematics program approval in January of 2008.