I have a bachelor's degree outside of education. Can I earn an education certificate to become a licensed teacher?

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.

Education certificate programs

Q: 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.

Depending on where you are in your teacher journey, certificate programs can provide the relevant skills you need to take the next step. You can choose to become a teacher faster by taking one of our alternative licensure certificates. Or, if you're already a licensed teacher, you could consider our post master's certificates to build skills in areas like leadership, technology, or curriculum and instruction.

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Phoenix offers a number of education certificates

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Why earn your education certificate with us?

Balance it all by taking one course at a time. Learn from instructors who average 28+ years of professional experience. And get support beyond your degree — our program support specialist can help you navigate teacher licensure and credentialing requirements.

Get the support you need

As a College of Education alternative certificate student, you’ll have access to resources that explain professional expectations, clinical experiences, clinical practice, internships, edTPA and much more.

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Your Tuition Guarantee™

We’ve locked in our affordable tuition for the duration of your education certificate. So, you can count on your tuition to be as dependable as your education.

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HOW TO APPLY

We’re with you every step of the way

Set your goals

Select your education certificate.

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Complete your application on your own or with the help of an enrollment representative.

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Frequently asked questions

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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.

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 a Graduate 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.