NAU and AWC partner to provide a high-quality, low-cost education for teacher-certification degrees

March 4, 2020

Yuma, Ariz., March 4, 2020 – Northern Arizona University and Arizona Western College are building on a long history of partnering to help students achieve their educational and professional goals and to serve the community by preparing graduates for high-demand careers in Yuma.

With the Yuma and La Paz Promise through AWC and expansion of the Arizona Teachers Academy at NAU, Yuma students can now earn their teaching degrees with little or no debt. There are currently more than 75 students participating in the Teachers Academy through NAU-Yuma, with the first group of students graduating in May.

About the Yuma and La Paz Promise at AWC

Students who plan to attend AWC full-time and transfer to a Yuma-based university partner may qualify for tuition reimbursement for their college education. The La Paz Promise is available to students who graduated from a La Paz County high school, beginning in 2019. The Yuma Promise is available to Yuma County high school graduates, beginning with the graduating class of 2020.

Find details at azwestern.edu/enrollment/admissions/promise. 

About the Arizona Teachers Academy at NAU

Students who aspire to become teachers and shape the future of education can join the Arizona Teachers Academy at NAU. Students receive a tuition-free, high-quality university education with the Arizona Teachers Academy Scholarship and benefit from mentoring and training that support them as they finish their degrees and begin their teaching careers.

With increased funding from the State of Arizona, NAU has more than 850 students participating in the Teachers Academy in 2019-2020, up from nearly 60 participants in fall 2017, the program’s first semester. Forty percent of these students are studying at NAU locations throughout the state, including NAU-Yuma, a branch campus of the university.

NAU offers the Arizona Teachers Academy Scholarship to students enrolled in any of the university’s teacher certification programs at the Flagstaff campus, NAU-Yuma, other statewide locations and online. An Arizona Teachers Academy Scholarship will be provided to cover any remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all available grant aid and tuition-based scholarships have been applied. Interested students are encouraged to apply for admission and join the Arizona Teachers Academy by completing the following items:

  • Apply for admission to NAU and enroll in an eligible undergraduate or graduate education program.
  • Complete a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Submit an Arizona Teachers Academy agreement, which is found in the students’ NAU LOUIE accounts after being admitted and submitting FAFSA.
  • Commit to teaching at an Arizona public school for the amount of time equal to the number (or portion) of years that an Arizona Teachers Academy Scholarship is received.

Visit nau.edu/teachers-academy for detailed information.

Education programs available in Yuma
NAU-Yuma is an excellent choice for students who want to become teachers. Students can complete their coursework at AWC, then achieve a smooth transition to the university with the 2NAU transfer pathway program. nau.edu/2nau

NAU-Yuma offers courses on-site at the AWC campus. The following education programs are available in Yuma and are eligible for the Arizona Teachers Academy Scholarship.

Students may choose from three undergraduate programs through NAU-Yuma.

  • Elementary Education
  • Secondary Education – Post-baccalaureate program
  • Special and Elementary Education

NAU also offers graduate programs, which are available through NAU-Yuma or online.

  • Elementary Education — Certification (MEd)
  • Mathematics Education (MS)
  • Science Teaching (MA)
  • Special Education – Mild/Moderate Disabilities Certification (MEd)
  • Teaching Science (MAT) – Certification

Learn more about NAU-Yuma and explore the variety of available degree programs at nau.edu/Yuma.

Contact us

If you’re ready to apply for AWC admission, visit azwestern.edu/enrollment/admissions.

If you’re ready to apply for NAU admission, visit nau.edu/Yuma, call 888-628-2968 or send an email to admission@nau.edu.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Heidi Toth, NAU Communications
Phone: 928-523-8737
Email: Heidi.Toth@nau.edu

Mandy Heil, AWC Director of Communications and Marketing
Phone: 928-314-9594
Email: Mandy.Heil@azwestern.edu