Grand Canyon University

An increasing emphasis on early childhood education programs, and a general movement toward universal preschool education, will increase the importance of and demand for teachers with expertise in this critical area of teaching and development. This relevant and robust degree program is designed for individuals seeking knowledge and skills in the field of early childhood development and teaching. The curriculum includes instructional strategies, teaching methodologies, assessment techniques, theories of early childhood growth and development, and the impact of family and cultural diversity on early childhood. The degree program has embedded practicum experiences throughout the coursework, requires a student teaching component, and, upon approval, will lead to a teaching credential in Arizona.

Teacher candidates are required to complete their internship experiences in a K-3 classroom.

Graduates of this program will be equipped with the tools, techniques, and knowledge needed to successfully motivate, develop and educate children from birth to Grade 3.

This robust and specialized degree program is designed for any individual who seeks an elementary or cross-categorical teaching certificate to teach children with special needs in the K-12 setting.

Participants are responsible for contacting their state department of education for certification requirements and program approval. In addition, participants should consult the Grand Canyon University Catalog and academic advisor to obtain current information about teacher credentialing programs.

Courses in this state and regionally accredited program are taught by experts in their respective fields who share knowledge and experience in areas of learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disabilities, and other physical and cognitive impairments. Opportunities are provided to apply concepts, theories, and research throughout the program. Assignments within each course guide students through observational and practice-based experiences.

Teacher candidates must have access to a K-12 special education classroom to complete the program assignments. Teacher candidates must be prepared to complete a full-time, 16-week student teaching component at the end of the program. Eight weeks of student teaching is completed in a regular education setting and 8 weeks is completed in a resource room, self-contained class, or in a special school for students with disabilities. These special education settings must include at least 3 or more of the following disability categories: mental retardation, learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, physical/health impairments; and they must be completed with a certified special education teacher.

Graduates of this program are prepared to become effective educators in both regular education and special education settings, and to implement individualized educational plans to accommodate the students' various learning, behavioral, and social needs.

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in Early Childhood Education (Grades K-8) (Eligible for Institutional Recommendation) program is designed for students interested in the education of children in grades K-8, and for those who are seeking teacher certification.

The format and courses of this regionally accredited and Arizona-approved program are designed to maximize the content knowledge that the teacher candidate will possess upon graduation. Courses are taught by experts in their respective fields who share knowledge and experience in areas of educational psychology, philosophy, methodology, and curriculum development. All courses are directly aligned with the Arizona Professional Teacher Standards and the Interstate New Teacher Support and Assessment Consortium Standards. Opportunities are provided to apply concepts, theories, and research throughout the program. Assignments within many of the courses guide students through over 100 hours of observational and practice based experiences, and the final semester of the program includes a full-time, 16-week student teaching component. These educational settings must be state certified environments and mentor teachers must be fully certified.

Teacher candidates are responsible for contacting their state department of education for certification requirements and program approval. Furthermore, teacher candidates should consult the Grand Canyon University Catalog, the Academic Policy Handbook, and an academic counselor to obtain information regarding current policies and procedures inherent in a teacher credentialing program. Graduates of the Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education program are prepared to become informed educators in public and private schools and other settings requiring a teaching credential.

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an emphasis in English is a program for students who are preparing for a teaching career in grades K-8, inclusive of elementary and middle school, and who are seeking initial teacher certification or licensure. This program is offered both online and on the main campus and requires a minimum of 24 credits in the content area. In the English emphasis, the program covers the comprehensive English education for elementary students, including analysis of world and American literature, grammar, linguistics, as well as literary criticism and analysis.

Prospective students should have some previous college experience.

Student applicants are responsible for contacting their state department of education for certification requirements and program approval.

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Math is a program for students who are preparing for a teaching career in grades K-8, inclusive of elementary and middle school, and who are seeking initial teacher certification or licensure. This program is offered both online and on the main campus and requires a minimum of 24 credits in the content area. In the Math emphasis, the program covers the comprehensive Mathematics education for elementary students as well as college algebra, trigonometry and geometry. The curriculum also puts an added emphasis on student understanding, critical thinking and problem solving.

Prospective students should have some previous college experience.

Student applicants are responsible for contacting their state department of education for certification requirements and program approval.

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Science is a program for students who are preparing for a teaching career in grades K-8, inclusive of elementary and middle school, and who are seeking initial teacher certification or licensure. This program is offered both online and on the main campus and requires a minimum of 24 credits in the content area. In the Science emphasis, the program covers the comprehensive Science education for elementary students, including Earth and space science, physical science and life sciences. The curriculum also puts an added emphasis on student understanding, the scientific method, critical thinking, problem solving and the impact of science.

Prospective students should have some previous college experience.

Student applicants are responsible for contacting their state department of education for certification requirements and program approval.

The Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Business Education is a degree program offered by the College of Education in conjunction with the Ken Blanchard College of Business for students who are preparing for a teaching career in grades 7-12, inclusive of middle and high school, and who are seeking initial teacher certification or licensure. This program is offered both online and on the main campus and requires a minimum of 24 credits in the content area. In the Business Education emphasis, the program surveys a comprehensive range of business subject matter, including economics, accounting, marketing, management, ethics and finance.
Prospective students should have some previous college experience.
Student applicants are responsible for contacting their state department of education for certification requirements and program approval.

The Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with an emphasis in English is a degree program for students who are preparing for a teaching career in grades 7-12, inclusive of middle and high school, and who are seeking initial teacher certification or licensure. This program is offered both online and on the main campus and requires a minimum of 24 credits in the content area. In the English emphasis, the program examines methods of teaching English in secondary schools, and surveys a comprehensive range of English subject matter, including English literature from the Old English Period through Enlightenment, including Shakespeare; American literature from Colonial Age to Romanticism; 19th and 20th century British and American novels; and English language, grammar and linguistics.
Prospective students should have some previous college experience.
Student applicants are responsible for contacting their state department of education for certification requirements and program approval.

The Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Math is a degree program for students who are preparing for a teaching career in grades 7-12, inclusive of middle and high school, and who are seeking initial teacher certification or licensure. This program is offered both online and on the main campus and requires a minimum of 24 credits in the content area. In the Math emphasis, the program examines methods of teaching Mathematics in secondary schools and covers the fundamental concepts of algebra, trigonometry, calculus, analytic geometry, probability and statistics.
Prospective students should have some previous college experience.
Student applicants are responsible for contacting their state department of education for certification requirements and program approval.

The Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Social Studies is a degree program for students who are preparing for a teaching career in grades 7-12, inclusive of middle and high school, and who are seeking initial teacher certification or licensure. This program is offered both online and on the main campus and requires a minimum of 24 credits in the content area. In the Social Studies emphasis, the program examines methods of teaching Social Studies in secondary schools, and covers such subjects as United States history, world civilization, comparative government and introductory economics, and geography.
Prospective students should have some previous college experience.
Student applicants are responsible for contacting their state department of education for certification requirements and program approval.