College of Education

Preparing Future Educators With Quality Education Programs

For over 70 years, GCU has proudly maintained its rich heritage as a teachers’ college, both on campus and online. Our College of Education continues to prepare educators, school administrators and policymakers who strive to deliver quality education and help enrich lives across a variety of academic and community settings.

While GCU's College of Education is committed to nurturing your development as an educator, our dedication to your education extends beyond the classroom. We teach the spirit of servant leadership, innovation and global contribution into each program through One Foundation, our Christian worldview. Education and teaching degrees are offered online, on campus or in the evening for your convenience.

To address the teacher shortage in America, GCU has created the National Center for Teacher Preparation. This center is part of our pledge to make higher education more accessible so you can transform your experience as a working paraprofessional into a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Our generous initial teacher licensure scholarship is available to help make your bachelor’s or master’s tuition affordable so you can become a full-time, licensed, salaried teacher with paid benefits.

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The College of Education inspires excellence in pedagogy and scholarship; advances reflective, innovative and collaborative teaching practices to maximize student learning and achievement; promotes servant leadership in educational communities; and engages a diverse and global community of learners with purpose and passion.

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Education Scholarships Now Available

You may be able to offset tuition costs with a   GCU scholarship.

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Choose From Online, On-Campus or Evening Degree Options

Choosing one of GCU’s education programs can equip you with a firm foundation to shape tomorrow’s future. Implement strategies that can help you think more critically and potentially position yourself for a career with an undergraduate degree in education. Integrate philosophy with practical knowledge within one of our master’s in education degree programs. You can also enhance your knowledge in specific areas with a certificate program or individual education courses.

 

Enhance your skills and career possibilities; declare a minor to supplement your experience in college for teaching.

Multiple AAQEP Accredited Degrees

GCU maintains its standing as a participating member of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), an accrediting body acknowledged at the national level by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The College of Education also aligns its curriculum with the standards set by the Higher Learning Commission, national accreditors and professional affiliates. These standards help us produce credible, qualified teachers and professionals through our education degree programs online and on campus.

 

 

Career Pathways After Graduating College for Teaching

Education degree programs that lead to licensure in the College of Education are approved by the Arizona State Board of Education.

Why do future educators choose GCU?

  • GCU’s College of Education offers initial teacher preparation options for bachelor’s and master’s education degrees.
  • Field experience, exam preparation and student teaching are part of your learning journey.
  • The curriculum for our education programs online and on campus align with national standards.

GCU’s Canyon Teacher Residency Pathways can develop and enrich your teaching career. Our college education programs can equip teacher candidates with the skills to work toward a career in the field as substitute teachers, tutors, teacher aides or paraprofessionals while working toward teacher certification and degree completion. These hands-on residency pathways provide experience that can help in your own classroom one day.

If you are seeking recertification, licensure, endorsements or looking to grow your teaching career, GCU’s College of Education offers timely and affordable continuing education courses that might fit your schedule and help you position yourself to potentially further your career as an educator.

Canyon Center for Character Education

The Canyon Center for Character Education (CCCE) at GCU, supported by The Kern Family Foundation, aims to build a national movement around character education. The College of Education at GCU uses a vast network of students, faculty, alumni and partners to promote school cultures that encourage human and societal flourishing through virtue formation.

By embedding character education competencies in our college education programs, the CCCE hopes to cultivate future leaders and educators equipped to serve their students with character formation. Through partnerships with schools across the nation (pre-K-12 public, private, charter and faith-based schools), the CCCE aims to support educators in implementing character education initiatives. Visit the CCCE website to learn more.

To access resources created by the CCCE, you can also visit their page on the Student Success Center.

Education degree student at GCU's graduation ceremony wearing Future Teacher cap

FAQs for College of Education Programs

Discover concise answers to common queries about our College of Education, offering insights into our programs, faculty and resources. This section is designed to comprehensively address your questions and hopefully provide a deeper understanding of education programs at GCU.

Teacher colleges can offer opportunities not only for aspiring educators but also for individuals who seek alternative career paths within the educational sphere, catering to those who may not necessarily envision themselves solely in a teaching role.1 Education administration programs are also offered within the purview of a "teachers’ college." These programs can cater to individuals aspiring to administrative roles within educational institutions, debunking the myth that such colleges are solely designated for teacher training.

At GCU, an array of education programs can cater to various career paths in the education field. These often encompass bachelor’s and master’s degrees, certificate programs, and individual courses specifically designed for aspiring educators or those seeking a teaching career. Our programs span different levels and types, including early childhood education, secondary education, special education and educational administration degrees. These diverse offerings can help you specialize in your chosen area within the realm of education.

Yes, in part. GCU aims to provide an extensive online learning platform offering convenience and flexibility for individuals pursuing an education degree. Opting for an online education program may help you access quality courses from anywhere with internet connectivity, accommodating diverse schedules and lifestyles. This approach caters to those seeking a flexible learning environment while maintaining the same curriculum standards as on-campus programs. However, many teaching programs also include practicum/field experience hours that require in-person and hands-on experiences.

GCU's online education degrees can empower students to engage with comprehensive coursework, experienced faculty and diverse resources while balancing other commitments, making it an appealing choice for those aiming to pursue their education degree in a more flexible manner.

Yes, but it varies based on the state and the type of teaching certification you're pursuing. Generally, a bachelor's degree is required for most certificate programs in teaching.2 However, if you completed a bachelor's degree in a subject other than education, there may be avenues available for you to pursue a teaching certificate in education, such as earning a master’s degree that leads to licensure.3

Education requirements for teachers can vary by occupation and the state in which you plan to teach in, so be sure to check with your state’s department of education. For example:

  • High school teachers typically must have at least a bachelor’s degree and public-school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.3
  • Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must also complete a teacher education program to obtain certification to teach.4
  • Postsecondary teachers often need a PhD or doctoral degree in their field, although some at community colleges may qualify with a master's degree, while others might require substantial work experience in their field of expertise.5

GCU's College of Education Pledge and Promise

As a Christian university, Grand Canyon University and the College of Education take a proactive approach to developing students’ servant leadership skills and the growth of our alumni in educational settings. While the college’s accredited programs are designed to prepare and equip students for a career in the field of education, we (faculty, staff and college leaders) understand the unique opportunities and challenges a career in education might present. We strive to assist all College of Education graduates who need additional support or who are experiencing challenges in an educational setting; and since 1984, we have upheld this promise. Support might include content-area teaching materials, certification testing resources, course curriculum assistance or faculty mentoring. To honor this promise, the College of Education asks graduates to pledge to uphold a high level of excellence in their educational setting.

College of Education pledge

Learning

We believe that all students can learn and that educators who inspire excellence often engage in best practices and strive to maximize student learning achievements. Effective educators are typically experienced and skilled communicators who are dedicated and compassionate, to help ensure that all students are provided the tools needed to learn to the best of their ability.

Leading

We believe education can be a powerful tool to purposefully transform and uplift communities. As our candidates find their purpose and calling within education, the college aims to support candidates to reach their God-given potential and fulfill their passion in education by helping them lead with a keen focus on addressing the world’s deep needs.

Serving

We believe in the spirit of servant leadership and are committed to serving all candidates by empowering them to work toward becoming global contributors who strive to change their communities and the world. As faculty, staff and candidates, we believe in serving educational communities with an innovative and adaptive spirit. Leading with a strong dedication to professional conduct, ethics and respect for the diversity of others, excellence for all may be achieved.

Integration of GCU’s Christian Identity in Curriculum

GCU curriculum ensures that spiritual and ethical values are woven into the educational experience, fostering a holistic approach to learning. This initiative aims to nurture not only academic growth but also the development of character and values within students.

Through intentional communication and thoughtful actions, education faculty integrate the Christian identity and mission into the curriculum through dynamic engagement with students in the classroom. In turn, students can live out their faith in pre-K-12 practicum field experience and student teaching.

Students in an education program can directly benefit from GCU’s mission by becoming an educational innovator that can adapt and change to serve the deep needs of communities. This takes place through innovative, faith-integrated curriculum, instruction and engaging, hands-on learning opportunities such as practicum field experience and student teaching. Students can contribute to GCU’s mission by engaging in active learning through courses taught by knowledgeable education faculty and demonstrate their learning both in the classroom and out in the field.

Education students can experience GCU’s One Foundation principles through an integration of faith into the curriculum. This is demonstrated by the education faculty who strive to model virtuous behavior and the integration of virtues into the curriculum, which are found in the College of Education’s Professional Dispositions of Learners, as well as the nationally recognized Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE).

The education program at GCU promotes the principles of human flourishing by equipping students to go into the field of education to serve the needs of their communities. This is accomplished through a wide variety of education-based program offerings that are innovative and adaptive to the current educational climate. These programs are taught by faculty who seek to help all students flourish in their chosen program and future profession.

Education majors, whether they focus on secular, Christian or special education, can find value in a theology minor. It can enhance their ability to incorporate ethical considerations and moral values into their teaching. 

For those in Christian education, it directly supports curriculum development and spiritual mentorship. In secular settings, the knowledge from a theology minor can help educators promote an inclusive environment that respects diverse religious views.

If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).

1 Drexel University School of Education. (n.d.). What To Do With A Teaching Degree Besides Teach. Retrieved on Dec. 12, 2023.

2 Vilorio, D. (2016, June). Teaching for a Living. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved on Dec. 13, 2023.

3 Indeed. (2023, Jan. 26). How To Get a Teaching Certificate After Earning a Bachelor's Degree. Retrieved on Dec. 13, 2023.

4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How to Become a High School Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved on Dec. 13, 2023.

5 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How to Become a Kindergarten or Elementary School Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved on Dec. 13, 2023.

6 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How to Become a Postsecondary Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved on Dec. 13, 2023.

If you are ready to apply for GCU's College of Education or have additional questions about enrolling into a teaching degree program, contact us today!