Graduate Elementary Education Certificate
The elementary education certificate offered through Grand Canyon University's Canyon L.E.A.P. to Teach program is intended for those looking to become a certified teacher. This program is designed specifically for those who already hold a bachelor's degree, are not working as a teacher and have access to an elementary education classroom.
The pathway assists candidates as they work as a teacher of record in an elementary classroom and pursue a non-traditional route to teacher licensure with the support of their school district.
Educate Elementary Students by Earning Your Certificate
This post-baccalaureate elementary education certificate serves as an alternative route for entering the field of education to champion students mental, emotional and social development, as well as to provide students with an academic foundation and passion for learning.
Courses within the program equip candidates to:
- Meet the educational needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities and their families
- Identify the cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional patterns for students with disabilities/li>
- Teach foundational skills to develop proficient readers
- Prepare elementary students with reading literacy skills across a range of texts and
- disciplines
- Examine the foundations of Structured English Immersion (SEI) and other instructional programs for English language learners
- Incorporate principles of language acquisition and the role of culture in learning
- Methods of assessment and strategies for using assessment to direct teaching strategies
- Create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, positive social interaction, active engagement and self-motivation
- Build upon foundational knowledge of equipping students to establish and maintain positive collaborative relationships
What Is Canyon L.E.A.P. to Teach?
The Canyon L.E.A.P. to Teach pathway is an innovative, non-traditional approach to earning a teaching certificate. This structured L.E.A.P. program prepares teacher candidates to earn their elementary education certificate online or in-person through an immersive learning experience that includes daytime teaching, professional development, mentor support and graduate coursework.
The elementary education program’s requirements include:
- Experience with formal and informal evaluations
- Four online GCU teacher education courses
- Six in-person Saturday workshops
- Culminating hands-on capstone project
- Professional development and mentoring
This comprehensive approach ensures that candidates are well-supported during every step of the pathway and are able to sufficiently develop their pedagogical skills.
Elementary Education Certificate - Online & Evening Class Options
Programs following the Canyon L.E.A.P. to Teach path are designed to be accessible both for full-time students and for working professionals. Classes are offered fully online.
Take your first step towards becoming a certified teacher. Earn your elementary education certificate from Grand Canyon University.
Core Courses
Course Description
Candidates will identify effective classroom management techniques that foster a sense of community and promote student growth. Candidates will reflect on the importance of building a strong connection between home and school. All candidates will examine research-based strategies that engage learners in collaborative and self-directed learning. Throughout this course candidates will evaluate the logical progression of effective lessons, leveraging critical thinking skills and preferred learning styles. Candidates will engage in reflective practices, including a variety of self-assessments, to reflect on their practices and plan for necessary adjustments. Practicum/field experience hours: 1. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
Teacher candidates examine how to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self- motivation. Teacher candidates build foundational knowledge regarding the importance of establishing and maintaining positive collaborative relationships with families, school colleagues, and agencies in the larger community to promote the intellectual, social, emotional, physical growth, and well-being of children. Practicum/field experience hours: 6. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
Teacher candidates examine how to teach foundational skills to develop proficient readers with the capacity to comprehend texts across a range of texts and disciplines. Teacher candidates build additional knowledge regarding print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, and fluency to promote early literacy and independent readers. Practicum/field experience hours: 6. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: ELM-530 or ECS-501 or ELM-555.
Course Description
In this course, teacher candidates examine the fundamentals of the legal, historical, and educational foundations of Structured English Immersion (SEI) and other instructional programs for English language learners. Theoretical principles of language acquisition and the role of culture in learning are examined. Methods of assessment are identified and analyzed. Teacher candidates identify strategies to promote English language development and improve student achievement. Through Universal Design for Learning they plan, deliver, and evaluate standards-based instruction for English language learners. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.
Course Description
Teacher candidates are introduced to the educational needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities and their families, including the definitions, characteristics, prevalence, causes and educational approaches to these disabilities and disorders. Teacher candidates will identify cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional patterns of learning and development for students with mild to moderate disabilities. Teacher candidates also survey the special education process involving the application of various laws and regulations. Practicum/field experience hours: 6. Fingerprint clearance not required.
Course Description
The goal of this culminating experience is to allow candidates to refine their skills in the identified InTASC standards. Teacher candidates will move to higher levels on the InTASC progressions through in-class discussions, video reflection, in-class progression of essential skills, and peer and coach mentoring. Candidates will create and evaluate appropriate learning experiences to move learners toward their next levels of development. They will dive deeper into the analysis of data to identify patterns and gaps in learning to guide instruction and provide meaningful feedback. Candidates will reevaluate plans in relation to short- and long-range goals and systematically adjust plans to meet each student’s learning needs and enhance learning. Practicum/field experience hours: 1. Fingerprint clearance required.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.