Skip to Main Content Skip to bottom Skip to Chat, Email, Text
"Degrees & Programs"

Certificate

Graduate Initial Teacher Certificate/Elementary Education

15 months

Approximate Program Length

27

Total Credits

$540

Cost per Credit

Online

Format

Start when you're ready

Register by: Aug 24, 2022

Apply Now
Request Info

Turn your passion for teaching into a career. This 15 month program is a first step to teacher licensure, even if you don’t have teaching experience. The program combines academic theory and coursework with a clinical component made up of student teaching and field experiences. Credits from this certificate can apply toward a Master of Arts in Elementary Education.

  • Classroom Management

  • Lesson Planning

  • Learning Strategies

  • Growth Mindset

  • Teaching

  • Professionalism

  • Innovation

Download program and career details

Courses

1

Course at a time

4 to 6

Weeks per course

9

Courses per year

Schedule

Attend class whenever it fits your life, day or night because our online classroom is available 24/7/365. Your academic counselor will help schedule your courses for a Graduate Initial Teacher Certificate/Elementary Education.

Plus, you’ll find support from our dedicated education program specialists who work with you 1:1 during your 100 required hours of clinical experience (or more if required by your state) and a minimum of 12 weeks of clinical practice (or more if required by your state). Our education program specialists also help you navigate your state licensure requirements for teacher certification, and can help with questions along the way.

What you’ll learn:

When you earn your online Graduate Initial Teacher Certificate/Elementary Education you’ll be equipped with a concrete set of skills you can apply on the job.

  • Design and implement effective instruction and behavioral plans in the elementary classroom to positively impact student learning.
  • Demonstrate professional dispositions and ethical conduct in elementary education.
  • Create innovative strategies and incorporate technology in an elementary classroom setting.

COE Central

College of Education students will find many helpful resources on COE Central. Program handbooks provide a wealth of information on topics such as professional expectations, clinical experiences, clinical practice, internships, edTPA and much more. Milestone roadmaps, technology and multimedia resources, and various toolkits are also available.

Licensure Requirements

The Graduate Initial Teacher Certificate - Elementary Education prepares candidates for initial teacher licensure as an elementary school teacher. Program requirements may change based upon state agency licensure requirements and they can be found on our teacher licensure page. Please check this list regularly prior to contacting your state agency for state-specific requirements.

Program Purpose Statement

The Graduate Initial Teacher Certificate-Elementary Education Certificate is a graduate level certificate program intended to prepare students with no prior teaching experience for initial teacher licensure. The certificate program is designed for students who want to become elementary education teachers. Candidates for this certificate program have already earned a bachelor's degree. The certificate program includes a clinical component requiring field experiences and student teaching above and beyond program coursework.

Career & Outcomes

What can you do with a Graduate Initial Teacher Certificate-Elementary Education Certificate?

A Graduate Initial Teacher Certificate-Elementary Education Certificate prepares you for:

  • Elementary Education Teacher
  • Elementary Teacher
7 %

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for elementary teachers is projected to be slower than average between 2020 and 2030.

The BLS Projected Growth for 2020-2030 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Tuition

Paying for school

University of Phoenix Tuition Guarantee

affordable, fixed tuition

$540

Cost per credit

While education costs have risen an average of 2.6% in the U.S. every year, our Tuition Guarantee ensures you’ll pay one flat rate from the moment you enroll to the day you graduate.

NEED SOME HELP?

Our enrollment representatives provide personal support while you make an informed choice about going back to school.  Reach us by phone at 844-937-8679 or chat with us 7 days a week

Connect with us

Student Experience

An education that fits your busy life

Balancing family, work and school

Work toward your degree without giving up what matters most. Start your degree year-round and take one class at a time.

Learn about our flexibility

Online learning

Enroll in online classes and attend class whenever it fits your life, day or night.

Read about online classes

Around-the-clock support and resources

You have a support team available up to 20 hours a day, 5 days a week. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 90% of our surveyed students.

See student resources

Accreditation & Faculty

Count on the quality of your education

Institutional accreditation

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org. Since 1978, University of Phoenix has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Real-world faculty

24

Average years of industry experience

60

Principals

85 %

Of surveyed students would recommend their instructors

Faculty Spotlight

As a faculty member, I'm on your team. I'm your coach and your cheerleader."

Doris Savron

Vice Provost of Colleges, University of Phoenix

Read her story

The following program educationally prepares students to apply for initial teacher certification in select states::

Graduate Certificate/Elementary Education (CERT/G-ELM)

Educator/Principal licensure requirements vary by state. Candidates located in a state that does not provide a direct path to licensure will be required to obtain Arizona certification first, prior to seeking licensure in their home state as an out-of-state prepared teacher/principal candidate. Arizona certification requires candidates to pass all Arizona-specific licensure requirements, including any Arizona-specific exams (or home state equivalents if recognized by Arizona Department of Education.) After obtaining an Arizona teacher/principal certificate, candidates can then apply for licensure in their home state and may be required to complete additional testing and/or requirements at additional cost. Program requirements may change based upon your home state’s agency licensure requirements. Please visit the teacher licensure page or the principal licensure page for state specific requirements prior to reaching out to your state agency.

*While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Transcript: