Education certificate programs

No. A certificate program typically focuses on a specific body of knowledge and is usually much shorter in length. Certificates are a great option if you’re looking for specific knowledge or already have a degree and want to build skills outside of that program. And if you already have a bachelor’s degree and want to become a licensed teacher, our Graduate Alternative Pathway Education certificates provide you with an accelerated path to the classroom if you have a bachelor’s degree. Learn more about state licensure here.

If you’re on the fence about taking on a doctoral degree, our Post Master’s Certificates allow you to take five courses from the core program. If you decide to move forward, the courses can be applied to the Doctor of Education (EdD) program. This gives you a route to continue to grow professionally while gaining skills to improve student achievement through research. Our Post Master’s certificates do not lead to licensure.

That depends on the certificate. The Graduate Alternative Pathway Education certificates take a little over a year to complete, and the Post Master’s Certificates take about 10 months.

We have three Graduate Alternative Pathway Education certificates that are designed for career changers seeking preparation for initial teacher licensure.* Learn more about state licensure.

The Post Master’s Certificates are designed to apply toward the Doctor of Education degree at University of Phoenix. The certificates are aligned to the focus areas of the EdD.

Students who complete aGraduate Alternative Pathway Education Certificate in Elementary or Secondary Education from University of Phoenix are eligible to apply completed coursework from the certificate program to fulfill requirements of a respective Master of Arts in Education/Elementary Teacher Education or Master of Arts in Education/Secondary Teacher Education degree program.