ASU’s first three-year Bachelor of Education degrees

A faster path to a degree in education

Arizona State University is expanding access to high-quality bachelor’s degrees in education with three-year pathways that help students earn an ASU degree in less time, at a lower overall cost and with the same academic standards expected from an ASU education.

Built by ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation faculty and grounded in more than a decade of innovation in educator preparation, these pathways are designed for students with different goals and responsibilities but a shared desire to make a difference in education.

Students working together in a classroom while looking at a laptop

An ASU first

The Bachelor of Education reflects ASU's commitment to expanding access to higher education by creating a more efficient pathway that reduces barriers of time and cost without compromising academic quality. Through both teacher certification and non-certification pathways, we're preparing graduates to meet workforce needs and make meaningful contributions across the education sector.

Carole Basile, Dean, Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation

Choose the pathway that fits your goals

Choosing the right degree starts with choosing the path that fits your goals. Whether you prefer the flexibility of a traditional four-year experience or you’re looking to graduate sooner through a three-year program, ASU and Mary Lou Fulton College offer quality bachelor’s degrees in education designed to prepare you for an impactful career.

Which path works best for you?

Three-year pathway

Earn your Bachelor of Education in as few as three years.

90 credits is the minimum required to graduate. You can choose to complete more than 90 credits if you wish.

What sets this pathway apart:

A focused, efficient path that includes all required courses and experiences so you can graduate with a Bachelor of Education degree in as few as 3 years.

Best if you want to:

Graduate sooner: Start your career or next step faster.
Reduce overall cost: Save time and money by completing your degree in fewer years.
Focus on what matters most: Concentrate on the essential courses and experiences you need.
Enter the workforce or start a graduate program sooner: Begin making an impact or continue your education on your timeline.

Available three-year degree pathways

Bachelor of Education in Education (Elementary Education)

Includes AZ teaching certification in elementary education (grades K-8).
Bachelor of Education in Education (Special Education)

Includes AZ teaching certification in special education (grades K-12).

Traditional pathway

Earn your Bachelor of Arts in Education in the traditional four-year timeline.

120 credits is the minimum required to graduate. You can choose to complete more than 120 credits if you wish.

What sets this pathway apart:

Includes all the required courses and experiences plus additional electives, credentials, and opportunities that help you build skills, explore interests, and stand out.

Best if you want to:

Add a minor, certificate, or additional credentials: Build skills and knowledge that distinguish you.
Customize your experience: Choose electives that align with your goals and interests.
Broaden opportunities: Gain experiences and perspectives that open more doors.
Create additional flexibility: Design a degree plan that fits your goals and future opportunities.

Available four-year degree pathways

Early Childhood Education, BAE
Educational Studies, BAE
Elementary Education, BAE
Elementary Multilingual Education, BAE
Middle Grades Education, BAE
Physical Education, BAE
Secondary Education, BAE
Special Education, BAE

Available degree pathways

Have questions? We're here to help.

Why choose a three-year Bachelor of Education degree?

ASU believes that quality and accessibility are not mutually exclusive. The three-year degree options are designed to remove barriers so more students can prepare for meaningful careers in education.

A bachelor’s degree in three years
Less time to graduate and lower overall cost
Curriculum developed by MLFC faculty
ASU academic rigor and learning outcomes
More flexibility for different goals and life circumstances

Prepare for what’s next

Take a faster path to an accredited bachelor's degree and prepare for a meaningful career in education.

Current MLFC students interested in pursuing a three-year bachelor's degree should plan to attend an upcoming informational webinar to learn more.
Future MLFC students can apply today to their program of choice.

Classes for students admitted to the three-year Bachelor of Education degree programs begin soon.

Online students
October 14, 2026

On-campus students
January 11, 2027

Events

Three-Year Bachelor of Education Info Session

September 08, 2026

4:00 PM

1 hour

Virtual/Online

Three-Year Bachelor of Education Info Session

September 11, 2026

11:00 AM

1 hour

Virtual/Online

Three-Year Bachelor of Education Info Session

September 14, 2026

2:00 PM

1 hour

Virtual/Online

Frequently asked questions

Go to all FAQs

A three-year Bachelor of Education degree is a new undergraduate degree that can be completed with a minimum of 90 credits instead of the traditional minimum of 120 credits. It's designed to help you earn your bachelor's degree in less time while maintaining the quality of an ASU education.

ASU offers two degree options designed for students pursuing teacher certification in elementary education or special education.

Students have different goals, life experiences and responsibilities. Some want a more direct path to a career in education.

The three-year Bachelor of Education degree give students another option by reducing the time and cost to earn a bachelor's degree while maintaining ASU's academic standards. These programs expand access to careers in education without replacing ASU's traditional bachelor's degrees.

ASU offers two three-year Bachelor of Education degrees in Education:

Bachelor of Education in Education (Elementary Education)
Bachelor of Education in Education (Special Education)

MLFC recruitment and advising teams can help you choose the option that best fits your career goals.

The biggest difference is the number of credits required. A traditional bachelor's degree requires a minimum of 120 credits, while a three-year Bachelor of Education degree requires a minimum of 90 credits.

The curriculum is more focused and follows a more structured course sequence, leaving less room for electives, minors or additional certificates. This allows many students to graduate sooner while meeting the requirements for their degree.

Yes. The three-year Bachelor of Education degrees meet the same academic standards and quality expectations as ASU's traditional bachelor's degrees.

This is not a compressed program or a heavier course load. Faculty thoughtfully developed the curriculum so you complete the courses needed for your degree in a minimum of 90 credits instead of the traditional minimum of 120 credits.

You'll earn an ASU bachelor's degree and prepare for a career in education while pursuing Arizona teacher certification in your chosen area of study.

Yes. The three-year Bachelor of Education degree are accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), ASU's institutional accreditor. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Education from Arizona State University that meets the same academic standards and quality expectations as ASU's other bachelor's degrees.

Three-year Bachelor of Education degrees are available in immersion (in person), online and ASU Sync, depending on the degree program.

New students can apply now.
Online: Begins Fall B (October 14, 2026).
Immersion (in person): Begins Spring C (January 11, 2027).
Current immersion and online ASU students do not need to wait — they can learn more by attending an upcoming webinar and may switch into the program after working with their academic advisor.
ASU Sync: Currently available only through partnerships with Gila Community College and Arizona Western College.

Visit the program page or speak with an academic advisor to confirm the available learning modalities for the degree you're interested in.

ASU’s first three-year Bachelor of Education degrees

On This Page:

A faster path to a degree in education

An ASU first

Choose the pathway that fits your goals

Three-year pathway

Earn your Bachelor of Education in as few as three years.

What sets this pathway apart:

Best if you want to:

Available three-year degree pathways

Traditional pathway

Earn your Bachelor of Arts in Education in the traditional four-year timeline.

What sets this pathway apart:

Best if you want to:

Available four-year degree pathways

Available degree pathways

Have questions? We're here to help.

To attend in person

To attend online

Current MLFC students

Why choose a three-year Bachelor of Education degree?

Prepare for what’s next

Events

Three-Year Bachelor of Education Info Session

Three-Year Bachelor of Education Info Session

Three-Year Bachelor of Education Info Session

Frequently asked questions

What is a three-year Bachelor of Education degree?

Why is ASU offering these degrees?

Which degree options are available?

How is this different from a traditional bachelor's degree?

Is this the same quality as a traditional ASU degree?

Is this degree accredited?

Is the program available across all campuses and learning modalities (immersion, online, sync)?