Steps to Certification
Fingerprinting
Before you start STCH 410, you need to complete the application for a Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Application forms are distributed during the spring semester in STCH 310 and STCH 420, or can be obtained from Jo Quintenz. You will need to show your Fingerprint Clearance Card at your STCH 410 internship site.
Institutional Recommendation Application for Certification
At the beginning of your student teaching semester, you will be given a copy of the Institutional Recommendation Application for Certification. You need to complete this form and submit it to Susan O'Hagan in the College of Education. Once you have completed all of the courses required for certification, she will verify completion and sign this form. You will need to pick it up to include with your certification application.
Exams
Before applying for certification, you need to attain passing scores on the secondary professional knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment and on the secondary education subject knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment. Study guides are available on line, as well as test dates and registration information.
Constitution Requirement
Either before you apply for certification, or within the first three years of certification, you must complete the constitution requirement. You can satisfy this requirement by attaining a passing score on the Arizona/U.S. Constitution exam, or by completing the course POL 210--U.S. and Arizona Constitution.
Certification Application
When you are ready to apply for certification, download and complete the application form, and submit it, along with an official transcript, and required fees. Additional information about certification application is available from the Arizona Department of Education.
Out-of-State Certification
If you move to another state after receiving your Arizona teacher certification, you will be eligible for certification in most other states, subject to some restrictions. The web site of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification contains information on which states have agreements to accept other states' teacher certification. You can also visit the web site of the state Department of Education in your target state to learn about certification reciprocity. (Simply search for "state department education.")