Grand Canyon University Teacher Certification Programs
Grand Canyon University teacher certification programs include bachelor’s and master’s degrees with Initial Teacher Preparation coursework aligned to Arizona’s PreK-12 teaching certificates. The programs carry Higher Learning Commission accreditation, with additional AAQEP accreditation for the College of Education. Coursework maps to the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment, and programs are available online or on GCU’s Phoenix campus.
Sponsored School(s)
Grand Canyon University has grown from a regional Phoenix college into one of the largest Christian universities in the country, with total enrollment projected at roughly 133,000 students for the 2025-26 academic year. A large share of that growth has come through online programs, which now account for the majority of GCU’s enrollment. Chances are, an Arizona teacher working today has a colleague who went through GCU’s education programs.
With both bachelor’s and master’s-level Initial Teacher Preparation (ITP) options, the Grand Canyon University College of Education covers educators at any stage of a teaching career. Before committing to a program, it’s worth checking Arizona teaching salaries and benefits against the cost of tuition.
Accreditation and Arizona Certification Alignment
Grand Canyon University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The College of Education’s programs carry an additional layer of accreditation through the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), the specialized accrediting body for educator preparation programs.
The bachelor’s degree with ITP coursework is the foundation of an Arizona educator’s teaching credentials. GCU’s four-year programs cover Arizona Department of Education requirements for PreK-12 teaching certificates such as Elementary Education, K-8, and Secondary Education, 6-12. Curriculum components align with the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA) program, which now includes both custom Arizona exams and National Evaluation Series (NES) tests, covering both a professional knowledge exam and a subject knowledge exam in a candidate’s specialty area. You’ll also work with GCU’s Teaching Certification and Credential Center, which provides the institutional recommendation needed for eligibility for your Arizona teaching certificate in your subject area. If you already hold a valid teaching license from another state, check Arizona’s teacher reciprocity agreements before enrolling. A full ITP program may not be necessary.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs From Grand Canyon University
GCU’s bachelor’s-level ITP programs prepare candidates for an Arizona PreK-12 teaching certificate through coursework paired with supervised student teaching placements. Current program options include:
- Bachelor of Arts in English for Secondary Education
- Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education/Special Education (Dual Major)
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education: Christian Education
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education: English as a Second Language
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education: STEM
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education: Teaching Reading
- Bachelor of Science in Mathematics for Secondary Education
Master’s Degree Programs From Grand Canyon University
GCU also offers graduate-level options for educators looking to deepen their expertise in elementary or secondary education. Some lead to initial licensure. Others build on an existing credential. A master’s ITP program is one route into the classroom for career-changers with a non-education bachelor’s degree. If you’d rather skip a full graduate degree, compare it against Arizona’s other alternative teaching certification pathways. Current program options include:
- Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
- Master of Education in Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education
- Master of Education in Elementary Education (Licensure)
- Master of Education in Elementary Education and Special Education (Licensure)
- Master of Education in Secondary Education: Humanities (Licensure)
- Master of Education in Secondary Education: STEM (Licensure)
- Master of Education in Secondary Humanities Education
- Master of Education in Secondary STEM Education
- Master of Education in Special Education (Licensure)
- Master of Education in Special Education: Moderate to Severe
Online and Campus Learning Options
GCU maintains a large traditional campus presence in Phoenix, but the university’s growth over the past decade has come largely through online degree expansion. The majority of GCU’s students now complete their degrees online rather than on campus.
That online-first infrastructure carries over into the College of Education’s support systems. Coursework, faculty mentoring, and student teaching placement coordination are all built to work for students studying remotely as well as those on campus, preparing candidates for the field experience component every Arizona certification pathway requires.
Support for Education Graduates
GCU’s College of Education has offered ongoing support to graduates through their first year of professional employment since 1984. That includes content-area teaching materials, test-prep resources for certification exams, curriculum assistance, and faculty mentoring, extending the relationship past graduation and into a new teacher’s first classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Canyon University’s College of Education accredited?
Yes. Grand Canyon University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, and the College of Education’s educator preparation programs carry additional accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Do GCU’s teaching degrees meet Arizona certification requirements?
GCU’s bachelor’s-level ITP programs are built to cover Arizona Department of Education requirements and align coursework with the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment. Candidates still apply for their PreK-12 teaching certificate directly through the Arizona Department of Education after completing their program and passing the required exams.
Can I complete a GCU education degree entirely online?
Most of GCU’s bachelor’s and master’s education programs are available online, and the majority of GCU students now study remotely rather than on the Phoenix campus. Student teaching and clinical placements are still completed in person, coordinated through your local school district.
What happens after I graduate from GCU’s teacher preparation program?
GCU’s College of Education has provided post-graduation support since 1984, including test-prep resources, curriculum materials, and faculty mentoring during a new teacher’s first year in the classroom.
- Dual accreditation backs the degree — GCU carries Higher Learning Commission regional accreditation, plus AAQEP accreditation specific to its educator preparation programs.
- Coursework maps to Arizona’s licensing exam — bachelor’s ITP programs align with the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment’s Professional and Subject Knowledge components.
- Online is now the default, not the exception — most GCU students complete their degrees online, with student teaching still handled in person.
- Support doesn’t end at graduation — GCU has backed new teachers with test-prep and mentoring resources through their first year in the classroom since 1984.
Compare Grand Canyon University’s teacher certification programs against other accredited options for earning your Arizona teaching certificate.
