CREATE ProgramBachelor’s Degree in Special Education & Elementary Education

The Culturally Responsive Exceptional-Educators Advancing through Teacher Education (CREATE) Program leads to Arizona dual certification in Special Education (K-12 mild to moderate) and Elementary Education.

Students work as full-time para- professionals assigned to special education classes in consortium districts. Certified teachers will support, coach, and provide daily on-the-job training for students who are paraprofessionals in their classrooms. Each mentor teacher will work closely with the assigned student on achievement of the required competencies and course activities through modeling of lessons, conducting co-teaching of lessons, and providing immediate feedback on student lessons.

This is a field-based program where courses are directly linked to classroom experiences that students are involved in through daily paraprofessional roles. During the four semesters of the program, students put into practice each day what they learn in their courses each evening. Courses are taught in person by experienced faculty. In semester five, participants student teach for eight weeks in special education and eight weeks in elementary education.

Students take evening and weekend classes, one at a time, in a three week format with their cohort. Student teaching begins after completing required coursework which includes summer sessions.

B.S.Ed. in Special &

Elementary Education

Dr. Patricia PetersonProgram Director

928-523-5193[

patricia.peterson@nau.edu]

Dr. Russell PrustChair, Education

Department928-317-7621

[russell.prust@nau.edu]

Nancy BlitzAdvisor

928-344-7677[nancy.blitz@nau,edu]

Office LA 109

NAU-Yuma Branch Campus

2020 S. Ave. 8EP.O. Box 6236

Yuma, AZ 85366

Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education &

Elementary Education

Applicants for the B.S.Ed. in Special Education and Elementary Education will:

contact the Program Director to apply for admission to program and to review requirements;

contact Program Advisor to develop Program of Study and verify eligibility;

obtain employment as a Paraprofessional in a special education classroom in a local district with

assistance of program staff;

obtain summer employment with or volunteer for programs such as 21st Century, migrant summer

school, ESY (extended school year);

meet with NAU-Yuma Student Academic Success Center Coordinator to develop individualized

academic support services plan;

contact NAU-Yuma Student Service Center to apply for financial aid;

apply for TEACH grant https://nau.edu/office-of-scholarships-and-financial-aid/teach-grant/

apply for NAU Teachers Academy https://nau.edu/teachersacademy/

Admission Criteria1. Completion of forty-five (45) semester units of coursework at the time of application to include:

a. AWC ENG 101 & 102, with a minimum cumulative English GPA of 3.0.

b. AWC MAT 130 or an acceptable equivalent with a minimum grade of C

c. AWC MAT 135 or an acceptable equivalent with a minimum grade of C

d. Two lab science courses with a minimum grade of C in each course.

e. AWC EDU 110 or acceptable equivalent with a minimum grade of C.

2. Admission to NAU

3. A copy of fingerprint clearance card.

4. Completion of one of the following GPA requirements:

a. cumulative 2.5 GPA in Liberal Studies courses, or completed AGEC at AWC

b. cumulative 2.5 GPA in all courses

5. Application to Northern Arizona University College of Education Teacher Education Program.

6. Attendance at a Teacher Education Orientation.