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Designed for working paraprofessionals

ASU Teaching Fellows

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Earn an ASU degree while working as a paraprofessional

The ASU Teaching Fellows program makes it easier for paraeducators to pursue their goal of becoming a teacher while continuing to work in Arizona classrooms. The job-embedded learning pathway can be applied toward a bachelor's degree in elementary education or special education and leads to teacher certification.

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Program highlights

16-month accelerated format
Weekly evening courses via remote learning
New cohorts beginning in the fall, allowing students to start the program together and progress through the pathway as a cohort
Monthly in-person learning communities
Direct application of coursework in classroom settings
Student teaching requirements are integrated into the program, eliminating the need for a separate student teaching experience

Degree programs

Both lead to a bachelor’s degree and an institutional recommendation for teaching certification in Arizona.

Resources available to MLFC students

Academic support Career support Success coaching Wellness coaching

Admission and financing

Admission requirements

Currently working in an instructional support role (e.g., paraeducator, instructional aide, or teacher of record) with a minimum of 18 hours a week dedicated to classroom and instructional duties aligned to the certification and degree
Associate degree or equivalent of 60 credit hours, including general studies coursework
Minimum 2.0 GPA
Enroll in 16-18 credit hours a semester with additional summer courses
Classes will be attended remotely one evening a week for 2.5 hours and in-person once per month during work hours (paid with district approval)

*Students applying to the ASU Teaching Fellows program should select Tempe as their home campus on the ASU admission application.

Financing your degree

Eligible for the Arizona Teachers Academy award (dependent on funding)
Tuition-free with a commitment to teach in Arizona Public School for a period of time equal to the duration of funding

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Program design

Cohort supercourses with job-embedded professional development

ASU teaching fellows benefit from a unique supercourse format that combines and aligns content from individual courses to deepen learning. Courses are structured so fellows can directly apply their own lesson assignments in the classroom with the guidance and feedback of mentors and instructors.

*The summer iCourses will not be offered as a cohort supercourse and can be taken after Term 7 or accompany the supercourse in another term

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