Q: What if I have already gone through the Fingerprinting process?
If a student has already gone through the fingerprinting process he/she must provide proof of clearance. Fingerprint clearance must be valid/current throughout the duration of the entire teacher education program including student teaching. Specific details about fingerprinting are provided on the Arizona Department of Education website.

Q: What if I have already taken some education courses at another regionally accredited college or university?
Students with previously earned college credit can apply to the Rio Salado Teacher Education Transcript Evaluation Committee and request course evaluation for possible equivalency and/or substitution. Refer to the website for appropriate submittal form. A student transferring credits into Rio Salado’s Teacher Preparation Program for English, Reading, or Math must meet the ACCUPLACER score requirements.

Q: How do I take the Teacher Certification Test (AEPA) with the ADE?
Tests are given 6 times a year. Students must register (by mail) to take the test beforehand. The student will be charged a fee to take the test. Students should check the ADE website for specifics on testing info (dates and location sites for testing). If a person fails the certification test s/he can take the test until he/she passes; there is no limit to how many times a person can take the test. All applicants must take and pass the AEPA subject knowledge content test(s) prior to student teaching. Students are also required to pass the Professional Knowledge Exam upon completion of the methods courses or student teaching. The ADE will not issue a teaching credential to anyone who has not successfully passed these tests and anyone who does not have a baccalaureate degree.

Teacher education participants can review study guides for the various content areas at www.aepa.nesinc.com or call the National Evaluation Systems (NES) @ 413-256-2883.

NOTE: Rio Salado requires that students verify successful passage of their content area test(s) prior to receiving permission to begin student teaching.

Q: Where is the Teacher Certification test (AEPA) given?
The AEPA is offered six times a year. All six administrations of the AEPA are offered in the Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson areas. Of the six administrations, four (November, February, April and June) are offered in the Yuma area. One administration (April) also occurs in the Holbrook and Kingman areas. Since these sites are subject to change, it is the student's responsibility to verify current locations with the ADE.

In the past, one out-of-state test administration has been provided in five major metropolitan areas. The out-of-state sites have been: Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Houston, TX ;Denver, CO; Los Angeles, CA; Sacramento, CA; San Diego, CA; New York City, NY; Salt Lake City, UT; Seattle, WA. Since these sites are subject to change, the student is responsible for checking with the ADE to find out what out-of-state sites are currently being used. Registration for out-of-state test areas must be received by the regular registration deadline. There is no phone-in emergency registration for out-of-state test areas.

Out-of-state sites are subject to minimum enrollment requirements. If the minimum number of required examinees is not met for a specific out-of-state test site, the testing company may cancel the administration for that location. If an out-of-state location is cancelled, all examinees enrolled for that location will be notified and will receive a refund.

Q: How do I meet the United States and Arizona Constitution requirement?
After teachers become certified in Arizona they have three years to either take a course or pass the test to satisfy the United States and Arizona Constitution requirement. However, individuals applying for a certificate authorizing them to teach a course that focuses predominantly on history, government, social studies, citizenship, law or civics shall be granted a certificate for one year. To meet this Arizona requirement, students can take POS221 and POS222 at Rio Salado College. This three year window begins upon receipt of an Emergency, Intern, or Provisional certificate.

NOTE: This requirement may not be necessary for those students wishing to teach in another state. Each state may have a unique requirement pertaining to this element. For Out-of-State students who do not meet these requirements, a deficiency will be noted on your teaching certification. It is the student's responsibility to check with the state in which you plan to teach regarding reciprocity deficiencies. This requirement maybe part of the degree pathway.

Q: What is a practicum? A practicum is a very important component of most EDU courses and involves students going into a K-12 classroom. There are three to four elements to the practicum experience depending on the specific course in which you are enrolled. They are:

1. Classroom observation.
2. One on one and/or small group tutoring.
3. Reflection.
4. Teaching a class

The practicum provides practical, hands on experience. The number of practicum hours required varies by course (10-30 hours). The focus of each practicum is based on the objectives of the course. Each student's practicum will be documented and monitored by the course instructor and a mentor teacher.

You must apply immediately through the Arizona Department of Public Safety for fingerprint clearance in order to participate in any classroom practicum. A Fingerprint clearance packet maybe obtained by contacting the Arizona Department of Public Safety at: Department of Public Safety, Application Clearance Card Team, 2320 N. 20th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85005. Or you can call (602) 223-2279. Classification takes 10-12 weeks.

Q: How do I set up the Practicum?
Each EDU class syllabus will provide information regarding the practicum component. Students are provided contact information by the Field Experience/Practicum Coordinator to set up a practicum. The Field Experience/Practicum Coordinator acts as the liaison between the school and the student and helps to put in-state students in contact with a school where they will do the practicum. Once the student is in contact with the school they can schedule the days and hours of the practicum experience. Students can do the practicum portion as quickly or slowly as they want within the 14-week course. They cannot begin the practicum experience until the completion of the 3rd lesson in each course. If a student accelerates the content portion of the course to finish it sooner than 14 weeks they still have 14 weeks to complete the practicum. Out-of-county, out-of-state, and out-of-country students are required to identify schools that are willing to serve as practicum sites and notify the Field Experience Coordinator/Practicum Coordinator so that a formal request can be filed with the appropriate office.

Q: How do I complete the practicum and student teaching requirement if I do not live in the state of Arizona?
It is the student's responsibility to identify a school with certified teachers that is willing to participate with Rio Salado College in providing the practicum experience and student teaching. The student furnishes this information to the Rio Salado Field Experience Coordinator who in turn, contacts the school, verifies that the supervising teacher holds a credential, and arranges the student practicum experience or student teaching following Rio Salado Teacher Education Program policies and guidelines.

Q: When can I do my practicum if I have a set schedule at work and will have trouble getting time off during school hours?
It is the student's responsibility to arrange time to do a practicum. The Field Experience/Practicum Coordinator will attempt to find schools that can accommodate a person's schedule. In addition, practicums will not be available during Summer I term (mid- May – June 30th). It is important to understand that summer II (July 1st – mid - August) requests require a great deal of flexibility on the part of the student. Possible suggestions include: 1 hour before work in the morning, during lunch hour, etc. You need to plan accordingly when registering for courses.

Q: I can't take 9 weeks off from work in a row. Can the student teaching be broken up?
No. At the present time, student teaching cannot be broken up. In order to become a certified teacher you must complete the required 9 weeks of full time student teaching. In order to complete the program students must complete this student teaching component.

Q: Which types of teachers are in the highest demand?
Currently, math, science, special education, and SEI/ESL/bilingual teachers are in the highest demand. However, it is important to understand that this information can change.

Q: Do I earn a teaching degree from Rio Salado College?
No. Upon completion of the undergraduate partnership between Rio Salado College and Northcentral University you will be awarded a Bachelor’s Degree.

Q: After completing this Rio Salado College and Northcentral University Bachelor Degree partnership program, how do I obtain an Arizona Teaching Certificate?
A student takes an application and official transcript to the Arizona Department of Education, 1525 W. Jefferson, Phoenix, Arizona 85007. The application can be found at www.ade.az.gov

Q: Does Arizona hold reciprocity agreements with other states?
Yes. Out-of-state students are responsible for verifying that the state in which they intend to teach will accept the Arizona teaching certificate.

Note: out-of-state students are responsible for verifying that the state in which they intend to teach will accept the Arizona teaching certificate. Refer to the following document on the ADE web page (page 2) in order to view approved content areas. http://www.ade.state.az.us/certification/requirements/TeachingCerts/SecondaryInfo.pdf