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Elementary Education

Shape the Future, One Classroom at a Time

Great teachers change lives. Our Elementary Education program prepares you to inspire and support every child you teach, with hands-on practicum and student teaching at local school sites so you're connecting theory to real classrooms from day one.
Choose from five program options, available in person, online, and hybrid, all leading to an Arizona K-8 Teaching Certificate with an ESL endorsement and a K-5 Literacy endorsement built in. Add a Bilingual endorsement to open even more doors.
Reach out to Program Director Judy Cooper-Wagoner to learn more. 
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Elementary school classroom

Become a Teacher. From Anywhere.

Earn your Bachelor of Arts in Education and become certified to teach grades K-8 in Arizona, with an ESL and K-5 Literacy Endorsement built right in. Whether you learn best in person or need the flexibility to study from anywhere, UA's Elementary Education program meets you where you are.

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ITEP student taking notes during lesson with Dr. Norma Gonzalez

The Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP) option prepares teachers to teach in K-8 Elementary classrooms and is dedicated to developing critical/justice-oriented and culturally-sustaining educators who promote strength and well-being within Indigenous communities. ITEP teacher candidates examine their own cultural identities in relation to the making of an Indigenous teacher. During all semesters of the program, students have fieldwork in schools with indigenous students.

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Flags in classroom

This in-person option at our Tucson Main Campus prepares teachers to teach in K-8 Elementary classrooms teaching in English or dual language classrooms, teaching in both Spanish and English. During all four semesters of the program, students have fieldwork in schools with emergent bilingual students.

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Flags

This in-person option at our Tucson Main Campus prepares teachers to teach in K-8 Elementary classrooms teaching in English and learning to support multilingual learners. During all four semesters of the program, students have fieldwork in schools with students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

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Blue lockers in a hallway

The Pathways to Teaching option prepares teachers to teach in K-8 Elementary classrooms and gives aspiring teachers across Arizona the opportunity to learn and grow in the schools and communities they call home. This immersive program takes just 17 months through four continuous semesters (spring, summer, fall, spring). While enrolled, Pathways students receive a $1,000 monthly stipend to support their journey to becoming a teacher. Live online classes allow students to remain in their local communities while completing their coursework.

Elementary Education, B.A.E.

Elementary educators teach in K-8 classrooms, helping assist a diverse group of students on their educational paths. Our Elementary Education degree prepares students to improve the education and lives of all children. Courses, required practicum, and student teaching are held at local school sites, where students gain firsthand experience connecting theory and practice through fieldwork. There are four cohorts within the Elementary Education degree - learn about these below!
 

Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP)

The Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP) option prepares teachers to teach in K-8 Elementary classrooms and is dedicated to developing critical/justice-oriented and culturally-sustaining educators who promote strength and well-being within Indigenous communities. ITEP teacher candidates examine their own cultural identities in relation to the making of an Indigenous teacher. During all semesters of the program, students have fieldwork in schools with indigenous students.

Pathways Distance Program: Near You Network, B.A.E.

The Pathways to Teaching option prepares teachers to teach in K-8 Elementary classrooms and gives aspiring teachers across Arizona the opportunity to learn and grow in the schools and communities they call home. This immersive program takes just 17 months through four continuous semesters (spring, summer, fall, spring). While enrolled, Pathways students receive a $1,000 monthly stipend to support their journey to becoming a teacher. Live online classes allow students to remain in their local communities while completing their coursework.

Image
Elementary school classroom

Become a Teacher. From Anywhere.

Earn your Bachelor of Arts in Education and become certified to teach grades K-8 in Arizona, with an ESL and K-5 Literacy Endorsement built right in. Whether you learn best in person or need the flexibility to study from anywhere, UA's Elementary Education program meets you where you are.

Image
ITEP student taking notes during lesson with Dr. Norma Gonzalez

The Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP) option prepares teachers to teach in K-8 Elementary classrooms and is dedicated to developing critical/justice-oriented and culturally-sustaining educators who promote strength and well-being within Indigenous communities. ITEP teacher candidates examine their own cultural identities in relation to the making of an Indigenous teacher. During all semesters of the program, students have fieldwork in schools with indigenous students.

Image
Flags in classroom

This in-person option at our Tucson Main Campus prepares teachers to teach in K-8 Elementary classrooms teaching in English or dual language classrooms, teaching in both Spanish and English. During all four semesters of the program, students have fieldwork in schools with emergent bilingual students.

Image
Flags

This in-person option at our Tucson Main Campus prepares teachers to teach in K-8 Elementary classrooms teaching in English and learning to support multilingual learners. During all four semesters of the program, students have fieldwork in schools with students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Image
Blue lockers in a hallway

The Pathways to Teaching option prepares teachers to teach in K-8 Elementary classrooms and gives aspiring teachers across Arizona the opportunity to learn and grow in the schools and communities they call home. This immersive program takes just 17 months through four continuous semesters (spring, summer, fall, spring). While enrolled, Pathways students receive a $1,000 monthly stipend to support their journey to becoming a teacher. Live online classes allow students to remain in their local communities while completing their coursework.