Online California Teacher Credential Programs

Make an Impact. One Student at a Time.

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At Alliant International University, we see a societal imperative to ensure that every child has the opportunity to get a quality education and that every classroom have a qualified teacher at the helm—regardless of the zip code. California is working to alleviate its teacher shortage crisis and Alliant is proud to be a partner in this initiative.

At Alliant, our mission is to prepare students for professional careers of service and leadership and promote the discovery and application of knowledge to improve the lives of people in diverse cultures and communities around the world. Our Vision is an inclusive world empowered by Alliant alumni.

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Arizona Elementary Teacher Certification

Learn and Earn
This program offers all of the benefits of online coursework while you get the experience—and income—of teaching in the classroom while you complete the program. 


Graduate-level Courses. Master’s Degree Option.

Not only is this a graduate-level course, you can also earn your master’s degree—a Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Teaching—concurrently with as few as three more courses.


All Bachelor’s Degrees Welcome

While a bachelor’s degree is required for this program, any subject or major will be accepted. As long as you have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution, it will fulfill this admissions requirement.

Study at one of our six campuses across the state of California:

Explore our Online California Teacher Credential Programs:

If you want to become an elementary school teacher in California, this program is for you.


California's classrooms needs capable teachers. With Alliant’s affordable, convenient and innovative credentialing programs, we'll prepare you to be an effective and enduring teacher. Our program prepares you to become a teacher-of-record in any self-contained K-12 classroom within California, offering instruction and leadership in multiple subjects as you provide a well-rounded and comprehensive education.

California Elementary Teacher Credential

California Secondary Teacher Credential

If you want to become a middle school or high school teacher in California, this program is for you.


The Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential program at the California School of Education allows future educators like yourself to specialize your teaching career within a specific academic subject of expertise. Single subject teachers typically pursue careers within California’s middle and secondary schools

Alliant is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Alliant's California Teacher Credentialing programs are approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

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Admission Requirements

Arizona Secondary Teacher Certification

Study at one of our six campuses across the state of California:

Get Your Credential in 12 Months, Your Master’s in 4 More

This program is designed with a time to completion of 12 months for your credential, and a total of 16.5 months for your credential and concurrent master’s degree. 


Professional Development

Alliant is committed to being your partner through your teacher-preparation education, as you formally enter the teaching profession, and as you continue to grow in your career.


Classes Starting Every 8 Weeks

Admission is granted on a rolling admissions basis. Qualified applicants will continue to be accepted into a program, provided that space remains available.

How will this program prepare me to become a teacher?

Alliant’s ASBE-accredited program provides an alternative pathway to teacher certification for full-time teachers on an intern teaching certificate. This program is for those who already have a bachelor's degree in any field and want to become licensed to teach grades 6-12.

The program underscores best practices in pedagogy, while providing candidates with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions that are crucial to confidently enter the teaching profession, and provides:

  • InTASC aligned competencies
  • Support through a Consortium of Partners including public, charter and private schools as well as other related organizations, non-profits, and agencies 
  • Research- and Evidence-Based Learning to meet the needs of all learners
  • Skills needed to make a global impact


What is the career outlook for graduates of the Arizona Teacher Certification program?

The career prospects for those wishing to become a teacher are strong, because the nation’s population continues to rise at a relatively steady rate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth percentages are 8% for high school education, 8% for middle school education, and 7% for elementary education, which represents a job pool of over 3,000,000 positions in the U.S. today, and another 200,000 added between now and 2026. So, this is a rather large workforce for graduates of the Arizona Teacher Certification programs to enter into.


Does completion of this program prepare me for my certification as a teacher?

Yes, you will graduate prepared to receive your certification. For a full list of state certification requirements, visit our state certification requirements page. 

When does the Arizona Teacher Certification program start?

The Arizona Teacher Certification program runs on 8-week terms and is open for enrollment during each of those respective enrollment periods.

How long does it take to complete this program?

The Arizona Teacher Certification is a 30-credit program by itself, and a 39-credit program when obtained concurrently with the MAE in Teaching. This program can be completed in 1 year for just the certification, and in 16.5 months with the concurrent MAE in Teaching. 

Why would I want or need a Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Teaching?

A larger breadth and depth of knowledge, increased pay, and a wider range of career-advancement opportunities are some reasons to pursue a Master of Arts in Education in Teaching. According the BLS, on average, a secondary educator’s pay increases by 10% for middle school teachers and around 18% for high school teachers over their respective baseline salaries when in possession of an MAE in Teaching. For Arizona teachers, this means an average increase of $4,500 to $9,000 per year.

Additionally, the career-advancement options for Arizona secondary educators with an MAE are greater than they are for those who do not possess this degree. Also per the BLS, for those with the master’s degree, other career options include becoming a counselor, librarian, materials creator, or even entering a classroom at a higher educational level. And while many of the advancement opportunities for elementary educators have different responsibilities and pathways, the MAE is foundational for success in these advanced careers.

What is an Alternative Pathway to Teaching Certification—how is this pathway different?

Arizona offers alternative pathways to teacher certification. In order to qualify for this alternative pathway to a teaching certification, you must:

  • Hold at least a bachelor’s degree;
  • Enroll in an Arizona State Board-approved teacher preparation program, of which this is one; and
  • Research- and Evidence-Based Learning to meet the needs of all learners
  • Complete 3 semester hours or 45 clock hours of state-approved Structured English Immersion training for either the provisional or full SEI endorsement.

You also must pass an Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment in your chosen subject knowledge area and possess a verification letter from your education preparation program. Once you have met the above qualifications and are graduated from the teacher preparation program, your certification will be valid for two years, and may be extended yearly for no more than two consecutive years. 

There are two additional requirements, but they may be completed within 1-3 years of completing your certification in order to maintain its validity. They are: 

  • A college course or the appropriate examination covering the provisions and principles of the Arizona Constitution.
  • A college course or the appropriate examination covering the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution.

This alternative pathway allows for potential and future Arizona teachers to minimize the work required to turn their existing bachelor’s or higher degree into a teaching certification so that they can begin their teaching career as soon as they possibly can.

For more information, you can explore the various pathways by visiting the Arizona Department of Education's Educator Certification webpage. 

FAQ

Below is a list of materials and requirements you will need for your application and admission to our California teaching credential programs.

Admission Requirements:

  • Completed online application (fee: $65)
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution in the U.S. or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an international institution officially recognized by that country
  • Two Letters of Recommendation from supervisors, academic instructors, volunteer coordinators or other professional and/or academic relationships
  • Essay (2-4 pages)
  • A brief autobiographical statement; professional aspirations; accomplishments and any relevant experience in teaching or working with children and adolescents, and/or within K-12 schools.
  • Official Transcripts
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.50. Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement but who have had academic and professional success may submit a GPA exemption statement highlighting professional and/or academic growth subsequent to their bachelor’s degree. An interview with Program Director or Faculty may be required for students not meeting GPA requirements.
  • Offer of employment letter verifying a full-time teaching position in a K-12 setting aligned with desired subject area. Candidates can seek employment from the following K-12 settings: public and charter school settings.

California Teaching Credential Admissions Requirements

Get Your Certification in 12 Months, Your Master’s in 4 More

This program is designed with a time to completion of 12 months for your certification, and a total of 16.5 months for your certification and concurrent master’s degree. 


Professional Development

Alliant is committed to being your partner through your teacher-preparation education, as you formally enter the teaching profession, and as you continue to grow in your career.


Classes Starting Every 8 Weeks

You can enroll in this program at any point in the year. Qualified applicants will continue to be accepted into the program every 8 weeks. 

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If you want to become a special education teacher in California, this program is for you.


The Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential (Mild-Moderate Disabilities) program prepares you to become a special education teacher in K-12 classrooms, as well as within other instructional settings geared for children and adults up to age 22.

As a graduate of the program, you are specifically equipped to serve students with mild to moderate disabilities, including autism, various learning disabilities, emotional disturbances and other health impairments.

California Special Education Teacher Credential