Request Information
Fill out this brief form and an AIU Admissions Advisor will contact you and help with your degree questions.
*All fields are required
Master of Education in Teaching – Elementary / Secondary Education
Online Master’s Degree in Education
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teaching, with concentrations in Elementary and Secondary Education, is designed for individuals seeking to earn their teaching certification in the State of Arizona while completing a graduate degree in education.
Rooted in evidence-based pedagogy and learner-centered instructional design, the program is designed to provide candidates with theoretical knowledge, practical strategies, and classroom-based experience to utilize in their school communities. Coursework is aligned with Arizona Department of Education certification requirements and integrates content on curriculum planning, instructional methods, classroom management, assessment, and the integration of technology to support student learning.
This program supports aspiring educators who are currently employed in an Arizona PreK-12 school on a temporary Arizona certification and are eligible to serve as a teacher of record for a full academic year, allowing them to gain valuable field experience through the required one-year internship within a classroom setting.
Next start date
Program Credits
45
Each Course Length
5 Weeks
Location
Online,
Classes start on Jun 17, 2026
Program Outline
Study with education leaders in this 10-course Master’s degree program that leads to Elementary or Secondary teacher certification. The program can be completed in a year and as an AZ State Board of Education-approved program, candidates can pursue the certification process after successful program completion. Candidates will engage in structured support from university faculty and field supervisors throughout their internship, to ensure mentorship, feedback, and alignment with professional teaching standards. The Secondary Education concentration requires a content area focus to be declared: English Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, or Science.
The Arizona State Board of Education has approved this program as an Educator Preparation Program leading to educator certification. Upon program completion, AIU will submit its Institutional Recommendation to the Board; it is the candidate’s responsibility to complete the certification process with the state.
AIU's Master of Education (M.Ed.), is programmatically accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Admission Requirements
In addition to AIU’s general graduate admissions requirements, prospective candidates must have the following in order to be officially admitted to this program:
- Hold a valid emergency teaching certificate, alternative teaching certificate, or standard teaching certificate for the state of Arizona
- Hold current employment contracted for at least one academic year as a teacher of record with an Arizona PreK-12 educational institution that
- is an AIU educational alliance member, and
- has signed (or will agree to sign) an internship partnership agreement with the University, and
- Have identified a supervising teacher mentor with an Arizona Teacher Certification and a current classification of highly effective or effective pursuant to ARS §§ 15-537
For more information, view the University Catalog.
Licensure Disclosure
AIU has made a determination that this curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following state: AZ.
AIU has made a determination that this curriculum does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following states: AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY.
Last update 9/4/2025
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills required for effective practice as a professional educator or education leader.
- Develop instructional strategies and educational programming informed by educational theory to meet appropriate individual and group learning needs.
- Critically assess the growth and development of all learners.
- Facilitate language development, language acquisition, literacy development, and communication as appropriate for the learner population.
- Design appropriate, evidence-based learning support and interventions for learners with exceptionalities, in alignment with federal and state legal requirements.
- Integrate current educational technology tools and systems in educational design and programming.
- Support the cognitive, social, and emotional development of learners.
- Collaborate with families, communities, and other stakeholders to enhance the educational experience and support student learning.
Classes Overview
For an Online Education Master's Degree, your classes may include:
Structured English Immersion and Learning Exceptionality
This course explores the foundations, principles, and practices of Structured English Immersion (SEI) in the context of elementary or secondary education, based on the candidate’s concentration selection. It’s designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Arizona's Language Development Approach, SEI models, and instructional strategies for exceptional learners, including responsive teaching and the social, emotional, and cultural needs of English learners (ELs).
Effective Learning Environments and Technology Integration in the Classroom
This course explores the principles of designing effective learning environments for classrooms, focusing on strategies designed to support student engagement and instructional technology integration. Candidates will examine research-based best practices for fostering a positive learning climate while leveraging technology to enhance instruction and student outcomes
Assessment, Evaluation, and Data Literacy
This course explores the principles and practices of assessment, evaluation, and data literacy for effective teaching and learning. Candidates will examine formative and summative assessments, standardized testing, and data-driven decision-making.
Foundations of Education: Professional Knowledge, Ethics, and Dispositions
This course provides an in-depth exploration of foundational knowledge, ethics, and professional dispositions essential for educators in elementary and secondary settings. Candidates will examine historical and contemporary influences on education, ethical decision-making, student-centered pedagogy, and reflective practices.
Instruction and Assessment for Diverse Learners
This course explores instructional strategies and assessment practices designed to support diverse learners in elementary and secondary classrooms. Candidates will examine differentiation, student-centered pedagogy, universal design for learning (UDL), and formative and summative assessments.
Human Development, Language Acquisition, and Literacy
This course explores the cognitive, social, and linguistic development of children and adolescents as they acquire language and literacy skills. Candidates will examine theories of human development, first and second language acquisition, and evidence-based literacy practices.
Course content subject to change.
Faculty
Locations
Ways To Save
Mobile App
Accreditation
Compare Related Areas Of Study
Compare up to three additional degrees
Take the next steps towards your education
Classes start June 17, 2026
