Arizona Alternative Teaching Certificate

Step 1: Receive a Program Enrollment (Verification) Letter from ASU

• A Program Enrollment (Verification) Letter indicates that you are enrolled in an Arizona educator preparation program. To qualify for this letter you must be admitted AND enrolled in at least 1 program course. These letters are issued every week leading up to the start of your admit term. The letters are sent to your ASU email addresses. The subject of the email will be "***Important: Alternative Teaching Certificate Enrollment Verification Letter".

• Keep in mind:

  • • You must wait until you receive a Program Enrollment (Verification) Letter from ASU to apply for your Alternative Teaching Certificate through the AZ Department of Education. Your admissions/welcome letter CANNOT be used to receive the Alternative Teaching Certificate.

    • Teach for America (TFA) students will receive their letters starting in end of May to ensure that their Alternative Certificates are valid during their entire time in the program. Enrollment Letters will NOT be issued early. This is to ensure that your Alternative Certificate is valid during your time in the classroom. 

Step 2: Apply for the Alternative Teaching Certificate through the AZ Department of Education (ADE). 

• Submit the items below to the ADE (link) to apply for the Alternative Teaching Certificate:

  • 1. Program Enrollment (Verification) Letter from ASU 

       1. • (Note: This is REQUIRED. Your acceptance/admission letter is not sufficient. You must wait until you receive the enrollment letter to apply for the Alternative Certificate)

    2. IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

    3. Official transcripts with your Bachelor's degree conferred

    4. Appropriate check or money order

    5. Optional: Proof of AEPA/NES subject knowledge test(s) - (if fulfilled)

    6. Optional: Proof of SEI course completed (if fulfilled)

       1. • Note: Your employer may require you to meet the SEI (Structured English Immersion) endorsement for your position. ASU offers a course (i.e. ELL 515) that will fulfill the SEI (Structured English Immersion) endorsement.

Step 3: Once you obtain your Alternative Teaching Certificate

• send a copy to our Professional Experience Services (PES) office at mlftc-pes@asu.edu