College of Education Resources
The College of Education offers programs leading to initial licensure for teaching and/or administration. Such programs provide institutional recommendation (IR), which recognize education graduates as “eligible for a credential” or initial certification in their area of study. Licensure programs offered online or on campus through Grand Canyon University’s College of Education can lead to Arizona certification. For a teaching certification in a state other than Arizona, you must apply to your respective state department of education. Contact a field experience counselor for more information.
Office of Clinical Practice
Become a Teacher Candidate
The Office of Clinical Practice works in tandem with a variety of university departments and stakeholders. They support candidates in meeting clinical practice and programmatic requirements, including practicum/field experience, student teaching and educational administration internships.
The Office of Clinical Practice supports candidates by:
- Offering a wide variety of resources located in the Student Success Center (e.g. manuals, checklists, templates, videos and more)
- Continuous collaboration with the Office of Field Experience who communicate with and counsel candidates on programmatic fingerprint clearance and certification requirements
- Providing training and support to cooperating school personnel
Clinical experiences allow teaching students to:
- Apply coursework
- Observe mentor teachers in action
- Experience diversity of philosophies, strategies and settings
- Participate in many of the tasks and skills required of teachers
The college offers resources to help prepare you to become an educator. At GCU’s College of Education, we provide support to those who share our commitment to serving, leading and learning. Learning goals and benchmarks are strategically included as part of every education degree student’s curriculum to assess competence and ensure they are on track. Teaching students can also gain access to common resources and countless opportunities to prepare, serve and lead.
Teacher Candidate Exam Preparation
The College of Education aligns its curriculum with components required for teacher candidate testing. The curriculum that College of Education students study in their courses along with clinical practices all work together to help prepare them for their state-required teacher certification exam(s).
Lopes Leap to Teach is a College of Education initiative launched in December 2014 to help Arizona school districts connect with qualified teachers. Districts and schools from across the state visit GCU's campus to present features of its schools' culture, curriculum, diverse programs and available resources. Through relationship building during these events, teacher candidates can learn more about each district and school for potential practicum hours, student teaching requests and future employment. The program has garnered recognition from the Arizona School Public Relations Association (ASPRA). It was named a 2015 recipient of the ASPRA*tions Award in the category of "School District for Excellence with a Specific Program."
Student Organizations
The College of Education hosts student clubs and associations for interested future educators, administrators and policy makers. Network and learn while having fun.
College Outreach
GCU fosters civic awareness and encourages action through volunteering and student involvement. Learn how to become actively engaged in your community with outreach programs such as Lopes for Literacy.
GCU's Podcast — “Top of the Class”
GCU's "Top of the Class" podcast is an engaging platform that showcases insightful discussions on a wide range of educational topics. With knowledgeable guests and hosts, the podcast offers valuable insights, inspiring stories and unique perspectives on various aspects of education. Whether you're interested in the latest trends in teaching, career development or innovative learning strategies, "Top of the Class" provides a wealth of information to help keep you informed and inspired in the ever-evolving world of education.
Dispositions are the values, commitments and professional ethics that influence behaviors toward students, families, colleagues and communities. For GCU College of Education students, these dispositions flow from the university's mission statement. Visit the Professional Disposition of Learners to find out more.