Teaching Math in Arizona

Teachers may be drawn to Arizona for its scenic landscapes, rural Navajo communities or the metropolitan lifestyle of Phoenix. Depending on the district, teachers in Arizona meet the education needs of both urban and rural communities.

While Arizona’s teacher salaries are on the low side, teaching in Arizona offers many benefits. Arizona has an affordable cost of living and offers teachers a high quality of life. In addition, the state has little red tape when it comes to teaching, leaving educators the freedom to innovate and challenge the status quo. For example, the state has recently joined forces with the United States Department of Education to create the Arizona Ready-for-Rigor Project. The program uses performance-based incentives to encourage and reward high-quality teachers to work in high-need schools in Arizona. Such reform is needed in Arizona, as the state currently ranks 46th in the nation for educational outcomes. For educators looking to have an impact in an innovative state, Arizona offers endless opportunities.

Math Teacher Certification in Arizona

Math Teaching Qualifications

• Arizona requires specific undergraduate coursework, depending on the level of teaching license desired. Elementary education teachers must have 45 semester hours of education coursework, while secondary education teachers must have 30 semester hours. All levels require eight semester hours of practicum and/or student teaching.

Credentials & Exams

• All teachers are required to pass the NES Assessments of Professional Knowledge for Arizona test as well as the NES assessment aligned with the desired level of licensure.

Alternative Certification for Math Teachers

Arizona also offers alternative routes to a teaching certificate:

• The first is the Teaching Internship program. Internships are available to those with a passing score in at least one Subject Knowledge Area of the AEPA or a master’s degree in the desired subject area. Participants complete two years of student teaching under a mentor and receive a provisional teaching certificate upon completion.
• The second alternative route is the Teacher Fellowship program. This program is designed to attract accomplished professionals and college graduates to the teaching profession. Fellows are placed in high-need schools and complete certification coursework during their two-year teaching commitment.