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Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
A Concentration In
Non-Certification Pathway
An option within the B.S. in Elementary Education — earn the education degree on a flexible, non-licensure track.
No State Licensure Required
The education degree without teacher certification
Flexible by Design
Includes 14 credits of general electives
Choose Your Emphasis Area
Build a 12-credit area of concentration
Not everyone who studies elementary education plans to lead a state-certified public-school classroom — and ACU’s Non-Certification pathway is built for them. You’ll complete a strong elementary-education foundation and graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, without the full student-teaching and state-licensure requirements of the certified track.
This pathway fits if you’re headed toward a private or Christian school that doesn’t require state certification, an education-adjacent role like tutoring, curriculum, or children’s ministry, or if you want to keep your options open and pursue certification later. It builds in real flexibility — a 12-credit area of concentration and 14 credits of electives — so you can shape the degree around where you’re actually going. You can also pair it with the Early Childhood concentration to specialize in young learners.
Understand How Children Learn
Build a foundation in human development and educational psychology.
Teach Reading
Study the Science of Reading, including comprehension instruction and interventions.
Choose Your Teaching Methods Focus
Select two methods courses across math, language arts, science/social studies, or reading.
Reach Diverse Learners
Adapt instruction for children with disabilities and varied needs.
Manage a Learning Environment
Build the routines and strategies that keep any learning setting focused and effective.
Build a Custom Emphasis
Shape a 12-credit area of concentration around the field you care about most.
Whether or not it leads to a licensed classroom, the work of teaching children is deeply human — and a Biblical Worldview shapes how you understand learners and learning itself.
The Worth of Every Child
Scripture teaches that every child bears God's image. That conviction reframes teaching, tutoring, and mentoring as investing in people of inherent dignity — wherever that work happens.
Grounds your work with children in love and patience, not just outcomes.
Knowledge as Gift
If all truth is God's truth, then helping a child learn — in any setting — participates in something good. Education is meaningful work even outside a licensed classroom.
Frames non-classroom education roles as genuinely worthwhile, not a fallback.
Formation in Every Context
Children are shaped by those who teach them, formally or not. Taking that influence seriously matters as much in ministry, tutoring, and early-learning settings as in a certified school.
Prepares you to teach and mentor children with integrity in any setting.
Without state licensure, this pathway opens education-adjacent roles — and keeps the door open to certification later if you choose.
Christian/Private School Teacher (Non-Licensure)
Teach in private or Christian schools that don't require state certification.
Tutoring & Learning Support
Work in tutoring, learning centers, and educational support roles.
Children's & Family Ministry
Lead teaching and discipleship programs for children in churches and nonprofits.
Path to Later Certification
Use the degree as a foundation to pursue teacher certification through a future program if your plans change.
The Non-Certification pathway offers the elementary-education degree with flexibility built in — for students whose plans don't require a state license.
Same Degree, Flexible Track
Earn the B.S. in Elementary Education without the full student-teaching and licensure requirements of the certified path.
Room to Customize
A 12-credit area of concentration and 14 credits of electives let you shape the degree around your goals.
Strong Education Foundation
The same development, psychology, and Science of Reading foundations that anchor the certified degree.
Pairs With Early Childhood
Can be combined with the Early Childhood concentration to specialize in young learners.
Considering the education degree but not sure you need state certification? The Non-Certification pathway is worth a conversation.
Apply to ACU
Submit your application for admission to Arizona Christian University.
Start Your ApplicationTalk Through Your Goals With an Advisor
Discuss whether the certified or non-certification track fits your plans — and pick your area of concentration.
Build Your Emphasis and Electives
Complete the education core, your 12-credit area of concentration, and 14 credits of electives.
The Non-Certification pathway gives you ACU's elementary-education degree with the flexibility to follow where you're actually headed. Apply or reach out today.
