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Undergraduate degrees
BA in Elementary Education
Undergraduates seeking teacher certification in elementary education should contact an advisor in the School of Education as early as possible. Admission to the university and declaration of a major does not constitute admission to candidacy in teacher education, which is based on academic and related performance criteria.
BA in Secondary Education
Offered by the School of Education, the undergraduate program in Secondary Education is designed for students who wish to obtain teaching credentials in secondary education while completing their majors in the humanities, arts, natural and social sciences. The second major in Secondary Education meets certification requirements in the District of Columbia and establishes eligible for certification in over 40 states. Students should consult with the director of Teacher Education to coordinate their general and subject-area certification requirements with other university and major requirements.
MASTER'S DEGREES
By joining American University's Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program, you are taking a step toward helping to build a better society by educating our world’s future citizens. We offer our students access to cutting-edge research, an engaging, progressive curriculum, and the latest technology that leaves you ready to educate the next generation of PK-12 students who must work together for a better world. With access to cutting-edge research and engaging coursework, you can create lasting change and immediately make a difference in your community by equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to solve society's biggest problems. American University's MAT is accredited by The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and is designed for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree and are interested in obtaining a teaching license in the following concentrations:
- Early Childhood Education (PreK -3)
- Elementary Education (1-6)
- Secondary Education (7-12) with concentrations in English, social studies, math, biology, chemistry, and physics
The degree can be completed in less than two years.
Schools and education organizations are in desperate need of dedicated professionals - innovative experts capable of making systemic reforms - to help improve the quality of education and strengthen opportunities for all individuals. With a master's degree in education (MEd) policy and leadership from American University, you will gain the knowledge and skills in policy, leadership, law, economics, and research necessary to transform schools and systems for the greater good.
The American University International Training and Education Program (ITEP) is a unique, 30-credit Master of Arts (MA) program that offers students a strong foundation in theory, principles, and practice in international education, development, and intercultural exchange. Since 1982, ITEP has provided an ideal environment for students who want to further their skills and experiences in areas such as training program design; intercultural learning and exchange; research and evaluation; transitional justice; internationalization of higher education; and equity in education.
We offer our students access to cutting-edge research, an engaging progressive curriculum, and the latest technology that leaves you ready to educate the next generation of elementary students who must work together for a better world. With access to cutting-edge research and engaging coursework at American University, you can effect lasting change and immediately make a difference in your community by equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to solve society's biggest problems. American University's MAT was created for working professionals. The program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and is designed for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree and are interested in obtaining a teaching license in elementary education. The degree can be completed in less than two years. (Elementary Only)
Schools and education organizations are in desperate need of dedicated professionals - innovative experts capable of making systemic reforms - to help improve the quality of education and strengthen opportunities for all individuals. With a master's degree in education (MEd) policy and leadership from American University, you will gain the knowledge and skills in policy, leadership, law, economics, and research necessary to transform schools and systems for the greater good.
We offer our students access to cutting-edge research, an engaging progressive curriculum, and the latest technology that leaves graduates ready to educate the next generation of elementary students who must work together for a better world. Today’s schools serve students with diverse learning and behavioral needs that require teachers who can apply research to practice and engage diverse learners with therapeutic, creative and research based methods. With access to leaders in the field who help translate research to practice and relevant hands on coursework at American University, graduates can create lasting change and immediately make a difference in their community by equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to solve society's biggest problems. With a focus on social justice and equity, teachers from AU are masters at implementing diagnostic strategies to assess student and classroom needs while planning for positive change. American University's SPED program has had a long history of preparing teachers to meet the challenging needs of students with learning disorders. Today we expand that legacy in how we approach all learners with diverse needs, and how teachers can work to maximize the learning environment.
DOCTORAL DEGREE
EdD in Education Policy and Leadership - Online
School districts, state education agencies, non- profits and other PK-12 education agencies need senior leaders with deep understanding of education policy, system level change, personal leadership, and research. This program equips students to enhance their knowledge , skills and beliefs with:
- Systems change
- Social justice & anti- racism
- Personal leadership
- Policy and research
In alignment with the School of Education vision of preparing the next generation of highly effective education leaders, the EdD in Education Policy and Leadership program will support education practitioners to hone their leadership skills, empowering graduates to disrupt and transform education in the United States.
Certificates
Antiracist Administration Supervision and School Leadership
Among the greatest challenges in the United States today is the need to improve public education systems. The failure to provide effective education to all of our children-regardless of racial, cultural, economic, and linguistic background-widens the gap between those who thrive and those who struggle and fail in society. This certificate includes not only the required content and knowledge for education leaders, but also the antiracism mindset shift that we believe is necessary to dismantle racist practices and policies in classrooms, schools, and districts. American University's certificate program offers an 18-credit post-masters graduate certificate in administration, supervision, and school leadership (ARASL), with a focus on antiracism leadership. The new executive-style program will be offered in different formats (including summer courses, weekends, week-long) to meet the needs of working professionals. Upon completion of the certificate, graduates will be eligible for state leadership certification in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Child Development Associate (CDA®) Program
The School of Education at American University offers a Child Development Associate (CDA®) program, the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education. At American, the program is framed from a critical literacy, social justice and antiracist perspective, and makes use of culturally responsive and culturally sustaining pedagogy. This program is available in an open enrollment format and admission to American University is not required. This self-paced program is fully online, enabling it to be completed around a schedule that meets the student’s needs.
Training Design and Facilitation
American University's School of Education offers a 12-credit certificate designed for students and professionals seeking a specialized training credential to further their design and facilitation skills. This certificate serves novice to experienced trainers, equipping active leaders from the DC area, nationwide and beyond the US with these crucial skills through an accessible mix of evening, weekend and online courses. Skills learned are applicable to a wide range of roles in education institutions as well as agencies that facilitate teacher training, programming for newcomer communities, nonformal and refugee education, and youth development.