Traditional Post Baccalaureate Programs

It is highly recommended that interested students attend a virtual orientation session to better understand the program requirements and to point them in the right direction toward choosing the right certification. An orientation session may be completed before or after submitting a college application.

• Please click a date below to register.
• You will receive an email confirmation with details once your reservation is complete.

The post baccalaureate educator preparation programs are designed to meet the coursework requirements for a certified educator in the State of Arizona.

Students should also be aware that Arizona participates in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement. Although there may be conditions applicable in other states, such as additional licensure or certification exams, this agreement makes it possible for an educator who holds a certificate or license in Arizona to earn a certificate or license in another state by means of reciprocity.

Please contact the licensure or certification Boards from your state for more information.

Applicants must complete the Maricopa Community Colleges application and choose Rio Salado as the Primary College then Take a Class (not pursuing degree/certification), and finally Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Education.

If you are new to Rio Salado and Maricopa Community Colleges, complete the Maricopa Colleges online admissions application to set up your student account. Have a pen and paper handy to write down your MEID and password.

The process to be fully admitted can take up to 24 hours to confirm. The Traditional Post Bacc application will not be available until the Maricopa/Rio Salado application is completed.

When prompted choose:

• Academic Career - Credit
• Primary College of Interest - Rio Salado College
• Take courses for job skills (do not intend to earn degree of certificate)
• Scroll through the list of Academic Plans to choose Post Baccalaureate

Students will begin the program by completing Level I foundational courses that are prerequisites to Level II methods coursework and student teaching.

All potential teacher traditional Post Baccalaureate candidates must be admitted to both Maricopa Community Colleges and the Rio Salado Educator Preparation Program.

Application Checklist - Use this to ensure that you have completed all the requirements for application.

Admission requirements include:

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Official transcripts are required for formal admission.
• Completion of two letters of recommendation
• IVP Fingerprint clearance
• Biographical information
• Welcome to EPP Webinar: After submitting your online application to Rio Salado College’s Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification program (Traditional or Teacher in Residence), applicants will receive an email from forms@riosalado.edu confirming that the application has been received. The email contains a link to register for and attend a Welcome to EPP Webinar. The webinar must be completed before being admitted to the program.

Rio Salado College program applications must be submitted two weeks prior to the intended start date and can only be submitted after being fully admitted to the Maricopa Community Colleges and Rio Salado College.

Traditional Post Baccalaureate Application - This should only be submitted after obtaining the IVP fingerprint clearance and requesting official bachelor’s degree transcripts (see Application Checklist for more details).

Teacher Education Program Application

To continue with an application you saved

All potential teacher candidates wishing to enroll in the traditional post baccalaureate program are required to be admitted to both Maricopa Community College and the Rio Salado Educator Preparation Program.

Students must formally apply to Level II methods courses of the Educator Preparation Program after successfully completing all Level I foundations coursework. Formal approval is required for all students seeking to enroll in Level II methods coursework and student teaching. All students must elect to complete student teaching or waive student teaching once all Level II formal application requirements have been met.

Option 1: Formal Application into Level II

1. Applications must be received at least six months prior to the anticipated student teaching start date.
2. Applicants must hold an overall 3.0 GPA or better in all Educator Preparation Program coursework. Course grades must be C or better. Final grades of D or F must have been retaken successfully.
3. Applications must submit a passing score report for the appropriate Subject Knowledge AEPA/NES exam. Information and registration for the AEPA/NES is available at: aepa.nesinc.com/. Exception: Special Education: Mild to Moderate Program does not require a passing subject knowledge exam

If all requirements listed above have been met, submit the Student Teaching Placement Request via the Online Field Experience Request portal.

Upon acceptance into Level II, you will be provided clearance to register for Level II courses.

Option 2: Student Teaching Waiver Acknowledgment Form

Traditional Post Baccalaureate students ONLY.

For certification, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) will allow two years of verified full-time teaching experience in the appropriate grade/subject levels to substitute for student teaching. Applicants who have a verified evaluation from ADE and wish to waive student teaching must submit an online Student Teaching Waiver Acknowledgment via the Online Field Experience Request portal. When you have successfully submitted the Student Teaching Waiver Acknowledgment, you will be provided Level II clearance and can register for your Level II courses.