Welcome!
To help orient you to the program and give you the information needed to be prepared to successfully begin in the program, please watch the Academic Advising Orientation Video and complete all 7 steps of the New Student Checklist (below).
Congratulations on your recent admission to Arizona State University. Please make sure to review the information below carefully as it contains required steps that you must complete prior to starting the program. Contact your academic advising team if you have any questions at GradEdPrep@asu.edu or make an appointment at https://calendly.com/d/cqn4-fvz-vrm.
Alternative Pathway
At ASU we use the terms "Alternative" and "Traditional" to help us identify the type of path a student will be following when enrolling in their experiential learning opportunities. Students who are pursuing the Teacher Certification requirements under the Alternative pathway have obtained a full-time teacher of record position and are teaching a content area that aligns with their certification goals. As a Teach for America member you are considered an Alternative Pathway student.
We support three certification paths: 1) Elementary Education, 2) Secondary Education, & 3) Special Education. Full time, teacher of record positions must align with these definitions of each certification path:
Teacher of Record Position Requirements:
Teaching all subject areas in grades K-8.
These subject areas can include: English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, etc.
Content-specific teaching positions in grades 6-8 typically should apply to the Secondary education program. Speak with advising for more info.
If your position changes at any point during the program you must notify PES. Your job must remain in alignment with the above definition for your program or it may delay your graduation and/or require taking additional courses.
Teaching one subject area in grades 6-12.
Approved subject areas:
English, History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Mathematics, Business Education, General Science, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, Physical Education (PE), Spanish, German, French, Chinese (Mandarin), and Theater*
*The theater content area is available for MEd students in the Sync modality only and requires taking 2 IN-PERSON courses at the ASU Tempe Campus.
If your position changes at any point during the program you must notify PES. Your job must remain in alignment with the above definition for your program or it may delay your graduation and/or require taking additional courses.
Teaching students with mild/moderate disabilities in grades K-12.
If your position changes at any point during the program you must notify PES. Your job must remain in alignment with the above definition for your program or it may delay your graduation and/or require taking additional courses.
*Teach for America will assist you in interviewing and contracting with a school partner to obtain a teacher of record position aligned with the above definitions.*
Step 1: Get Acquainted with your Academic Advising Team!
Initially, you will work with the TFA Onboarding Coordinator: Amber Mesko.
After you complete your Fall 2025 courses you will transition to working with our entire Advising team: Team Educator Prep!
Phone: (602) 496-1397; M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm AZ Time (MST)
Email: GradEdPrep@asu.edu - Please give us 24-48 hours to respond to your email
Add our email to your address book or list of safe senders
Make an appointment: https://calendly.com/d/cqn4-fvz-vrm
Appointments are highly encouraged especially for new students or if you have multiple questions or complex issues to discuss.
To call or schedule an appointment? Here are some guidelines for determining which is most appropriate.
Step 2: Register for Classes
Summer 2025 Registration is open! Fall 2025 registration opened 2/28/25
You may enroll in courses via Class Search. For Summer 2025 you will enroll in special TFA sections (this only applies to Summer 2025). Please pay attention to two unique pieces of information when enrolling in Summer courses:
Dates: Your summer sections have dynamically dated sessions that run from 5/25 - 7/3.
Course Notes: There are two sections of each course that correspond to program types (Elementary/Special Ed and Secondary Ed). Please enroll in the section corresponding to your program/track. You can find this information in course notes and/or double-check the 5-digit line numbers on your Course Sequence.
To find your course sequence follow the steps below:
Visit the appropriate program page for your degree to select the header 'Course Sequences'.
Find the correct "Start term" and then locate the TFA sequence.
When you open your course sequence, use the class numbers listed here to register for your courses.
If you have a hold on your account, it may prevent you from registering. Follow the directions indicated on your MyASU priority tasks to resolve your holds.
It is recommended to bookmark your course sequence so you can refer to it each semester for registration.
Video Registration Instructions: Watch the "Registering for Classes" video above for a tutorial. Must be signed into your My ASU account to watch.
Written Registration Instructions: Using the course sequence obtained from Step 2 login to your My ASU page (my.asu.edu) > My Classes box > Registration > Add/Shopping Cart to enter in the 5 digit class registration numbers listed on your course sequence.
Step 3: Review the Financial flyer and Make a Plan!
Because the TFA rate and Americorps funds are part of your financial journey, PLEASE review commonly asked questions to guide your financial plans: Teach for America: Common Financial Questions. It is important that you have a plan to pay your tuition charges, a balance of $3,000+ will result in a hold preventing future enrollment. We are here to support you in finding a plan that works for you!
A Financial Presentation will be held May 16th at 3pm AZ time via Zoom by our Financial Coach to review your unique financial needs and questions.
Contacts:
Questions about FAFSA and paying for college? Contact our Financial Coach, Carmen Zavala
Questions about Financial Priority Tasks and general financial aid information? Contact ASU Financial Aid
Questions about TFA Rates? Contact Jezabel Teston at jezabel.teston@asu.edu
Not sure who to contact? Email your Advisors at gradedprep@asu.edu and we will direct you accordingly
For resources about paying for college, including loans, scholarships, grants and incentive programs, please see MLFTC Resources for Students.
The MLFTC Financial literacy team can be reached at mlftc-aid@asu.edu for questions about financial aid, scholarships, budgeting, or related topics.
View information about the ASU Payment Plan.
Step 4: When directed by TFA, Apply for and Submit IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
Please follow the guidance from TFA regarding when to apply for your IVP fingerprint clearance card. Once you receive your IVP card please email a copy of the front and back to GradEdPrep@asu.edu.
Please email a copy of the front and back of your Arizona DPS issued IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card to GradEdPrep@asu.edu.
If you will be located in AZ at the time of applying for your card, please click here for instructions on obtaining an IVP card.
If you will be located out of state at the time of applying for your card, please click here for instructions on obtaining an AZ IVP card.
Please allow 2-4 weeks for your IVP card application to be processed.
You will NOT be able to start your professional experience coursework until your IVP card has been received by advising.
Step 5: Submit the Placement Request Form (PRF) and University-wide Internship Application (UIA)
Once you have obtained a teaching position please submit a Placement Request form - Professional Education Services (PES). Contact MLFTC-PES@asu.edu with any questions.
Enroll in Apprentice Teaching (i.e. your experiential learning course)
Complete the University-wide Internship Application (UIA) - this agreement is generated after you submit the placement request form and enroll in Apprentice Teaching.
Step 6: Alternative Teaching Certificate
NOTE: You will notice that you will need a Program Enrollment (Verification) Letter from ASU for the Alternative Certificate. The certification and compliance team will begin to issue these letters at the beginning of May. You will only receive this letter if you are enrolled in your Summer 2025 courses.
Step 7: Familiarize yourself with Certification Requirements
It is the student's responsibility to understand and research certification requirements in their state. These teacher preparation programs are intended to prepare students for potential teacher certification in Arizona. Keep in mind that ASU is not the official entity that provides the teaching credential. For the state of Arizona, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is the issuing authority. They also provide all official information for how to obtain an AZ teaching credenital beyond just going through our teacher preparation program on their website. Be sure to understand the additional requirements required for AZ certification other than participating in a teacher preparation program. We highly recommend students get familiar with and complete all requirements needed during their time in the program so there is no delay in receiving their teaching credential upon their program completion.
Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. If you are planning to apply for certification in other states, either via reciprocity or directly through another state, please take time to review the ASU professional licensure webpage. Once on the webpage, select your program and check under the determinations to find out where our program stands with the state(s) where you plan to apply for certification. Always be sure to visit the website for your state’s credentialing body for any further information and contact them directly when needing clarification.
As a courtesy, we have condensed the certification requirements into the Arizona Teacher Certification Checklist (below) for our students to aid them in their understanding of what is needed beyond the teacher preparation program.
Regularly check your My ASU Priority Tasks for required actions, including financial aid items. Tasks may be informational or time-sensitive. Holds on your account can impact services, including registration. Some financial holds allow course registration but restrict loan disbursement, while others may require partial tuition payment before registering for future classes.
Want additional support navigating your My ASU page? Check out Your guide to My ASU and Understanding My ASU.
Registration:
It is the student’s responsibility to abide by and be familiar with the ASU Academic Calendar dates, deadlines, and policies stated there. Session C runs the full length of a semester (15 weeks) and the exact start and end dates are listed on the calendar. Not all courses are offered in every session, and what session courses are offered are subject to change each term.
Textbooks
Sign in to My ASU to obtain your required book list by selecting Books in the My Classes box and order textbooks through ASU Bookstores. Under the "My Classes" box, click the "Books" button to access the book list and use the "proceed to the ASU Bookstore" to purchase.
IMPORTANT: Some books are auto-delivered at a negotiated rate before classes begin. These are often digital materials with exclusive content. Confirm with your instructor before purchasing elsewhere. Charges for auto-delivered books appear after the drop/add deadline.
Accessing Classroom:
ASU uses Canvas as its digital learning platform, accessible via My ASU. Courses open 1-2 days before the start date. When available, course links will appear maroon and underlined. Click the course title to enter. Before classes begin, review the syllabus to understand expectations and assignments.
Resources for Navigating Canvas and Slack:
Canvas: Your courses will be housed on the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), so take time to view the Canvas Course Tour Video (7 min.) and Canvas Student Guide.
Slack: You can collaborate with classmates and faculty through the Slack collaboration hub. More details are found on the 'Slack 101' overview.
ASU Email:
Students must maintain a working ASU email address. Access it via the "Profile" tab in My ASU. You can forward ASU emails to a preferred email provider (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.). More information on ASU email addresses can be found here.
Contact Information
Academic Advising
Educator Prep Team
Academic advising serves as a resource for staying on track for graduation and to help students navigate any academic concerns. Upon admission, they send a welcome email to assist students with orientation, and class registration. If you have course concerns or need help getting back on track, please reach out to them.
602-496-1397| GradEdPrep@asu.edu
Schedule an Academic Advising Appointment
Programs: Educator Preparation Degree and Certificate Programs
The PES office works with Teacher Certification students to find a classroom placement in their area that meets program requirements for their experiential learning opportunities, and/or assists in verifying that their current teaching position is in alignment with certification requirements/enrollment at ASU.
Any questions concerning your Sonia application or placement should be directed to your placement coordinator or the PES team in general.
MLFTC-pes@asu.edu
The Mary Lou Fulton College Compliance team is a resource for information regarding certification requirements in and out of state. Compliance works with the advising team to ensure that eligible students receive their Institutional Recommendation upon program completion.
They also help assist students with their Enrollment Verifications specifically for students who are seeking the ADE Alternative Teacher Certificate.
MLFTC Certification and Complication Website