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Post-Baccalaureate (PostBac)
A 48-credit post-baccalaureate program for college graduates ready to become certified K–8 teachers — leading to Arizona elementary teaching licensure.
For College Graduates
Already have a bachelor's? This is your teaching path
Leads to AZ Licensure
Prepares you for state elementary certification
Full Student Teaching
9-credit Directed Student Teaching included
ACU’s Post-Baccalaureate Program in Elementary Education is built for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to become certified elementary (K–8) teachers. The 48-credit program delivers the professional education coursework, content methods, and supervised student teaching that Arizona elementary certification requires — without making you start a second bachelor’s degree.
The program covers the foundations of teaching (Curriculum and Instruction, Tests and Measurements, Introduction to the Exceptional Child, Classroom Management, Human Development), the elementary content methods every K–8 teacher needs (Language Arts, Science and Social Studies, Teaching Math for Understanding, and both Science of Reading courses), Structured English Immersion methods, US and Arizona Government, and a full 9-credit Directed Student Teaching placement capped by the Elementary Education Capstone.
Important: While this program leads to state licensure, ACU does not award a certificate upon completion. Teaching certificates are awarded by the Arizona Department of Education once all requirements — including the program plus the required Arizona Educator Exams — are met. Program admission requires an IVP fingerprint clearance card and the Arizona Subject Knowledge Elementary Education Exam taken (or scheduled).
Apply Curriculum and Instruction
Work through EDU 317 Curriculum and Instruction — the gateway to ACU's whole education sequence — plus assessment through EDU 300 Tests and Measurements.
Teach Elementary Content Areas
Build the methods for teaching language arts (EED 313), science and social studies (EED 314), and math (EDU 418) in the elementary classroom.
Master the Science of Reading
Complete both Science of Reading courses (EED 415 and 416) — phonics, interventions, dyslexia, comprehension, and assessment.
Manage a Classroom
Develop classroom management skill (EDU 415) and the foundation for teaching English language learners (SEI 490).
Understand Development and Diverse Learners
Study human development (CHD 312) and the foundation for working with students of diverse needs (EDU 314).
Student-Teach in a Real Classroom
Complete a full 9-credit Directed Student Teaching placement (EED 410) and the Elementary Education Capstone (EED 490).
Even as a fast-track certification program, the post-bacc carries ACU's conviction that teaching is formative work done among students who matter.
Students as Image-Bearers
Every child in an elementary classroom carries the dignity of being made in God's image. The program treats teaching as work that requires patience and respect because of who the students are.
Grounds your classroom posture in care rather than mere control.
Teaching as Shepherding
Elementary teachers shape character as much as content. ACU's education curriculum treats teaching as shepherding — protecting, guiding, and knowing each student.
Equips you to lead a classroom that treats every child as worth knowing.
Truth Across the Disciplines
If all truth is God's truth, then reading, math, science, and history each reveal something real about the world. The content-methods courses treat teaching as helping students discover real things.
Helps you connect classroom content to bigger questions students are already asking.
The post-baccalaureate program is built for one clear outcome: becoming a certified elementary teacher.
Certified Elementary (K–8) Teacher
Complete the program and Arizona Educator Exams to qualify for an Arizona elementary teaching certificate.
Christian School Elementary Teacher
Teach in Christian schools that value both certification and ACU's biblically integrated preparation.
Public and Charter School Teacher
Enter public and charter elementary classrooms across Arizona and beyond once certified.
Career Changer Into Education
Move into teaching from another field without starting a second bachelor's degree.
Reading or Content Specialist Pathway
Use the dual Science of Reading preparation as a foundation toward reading-specialist roles.
The post-baccalaureate program is the efficient path to elementary certification for people who already hold a degree.
No Second Bachelor's Required
Use the degree you already have. The 48-credit program delivers only the professional education coursework certification requires.
Science of Reading Built In
Both Science of Reading courses (EED 415 and 416) are required — current best-practice reading instruction Arizona increasingly expects.
Full Student Teaching Placement
A 9-credit Directed Student Teaching experience puts you in a real classroom under supervision before you're certified.
Biblically Integrated Preparation
ACU's education program brings a Christian worldview into teacher preparation — distinctive among certification programs.
Built for Working Adults
Offered through ACU's non-traditional pathway, designed around adult schedules.
The post-baccalaureate program has specific entry requirements. Here’s how to start.
Apply to ACU
Submit your application for non-traditional/post-baccalaureate admission. You'll need proof of your completed bachelor's degree.
Start Your ApplicationGet Your IVP Fingerprint Card
An Identity Verified Prints (IVP) card is a program prerequisite and is required before EDU 317 and all classroom placements.
Take (Or Schedule) the Subject Knowledge Exam
Program admission requires the Arizona Subject Knowledge Elementary Education Exam taken, or proof it is scheduled.
Plan Toward Student Teaching and Licensure
Work with your advisor to sequence coursework toward the 9-credit Directed Student Teaching placement. Remember: you'll also need to pass the Arizona Professional Knowledge Elementary Education Exam for the state to issue your certificate.
The Post-Baccalaureate Program in Elementary Education turns the degree you already have into a path to the classroom. Apply or reach out today.
