A new opportunity from Arizona State University offers Yuma students a quicker pathway to teaching — without having to leave the community.
ASU recently announced its first-ever three-year bachelor’s degrees in education. Developed by the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, ASU says they are the first three-year education bachelor’s degrees offered by a public university in the U.S.
Offered both in person and online, the programs enable students to earn a Bachelor of Education in Education with a focus on elementary or special education, in as few as 90 credits — compared with 120 credits for a traditional bachelor’s degree.
The degrees are designed to meet Arizona teacher certification requirements while offering a shorter pathway for students with different academic and career goals.
"Future educators should be able to easily access high-quality programs that work for their needs," said Carole Basile, dean of Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation. "These new programs reflect years of redesigning educator preparation so more students can pursue meaningful careers in education through ASU’s high-quality preparation."
ASU will continue to offer a variety of four-year degrees, including additional specializations such as early childhood education, secondary education and physical education. But the new three-year programs offer another option — particularly for Arizona Western College students, who will have access to the degrees through a partnership between AWC and ASU.
“It is an honor to be part of work that transforms lives through education,” said Dr. Reetika Dhawan, AWC president. “Together, Arizona Western College and Arizona State University are creating a seamless pathway with the new three-year bachelor’s degrees that empowers aspiring educators to earn their bachelor’s degree while meeting the growing workforce needs of our region.”
The announcement comes amid a severe teacher shortage in Arizona. According to a survey from the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association, 25.4% of teacher positions remained unfilled a few weeks into the 2024-2025 school year. Another 52.2% of positions were filled by people who did not meet standard teacher requirements and were hired through alternative methods.
Teacher attrition compounds the shortage. At an education solutions symposium hosted by the Arizona Local News Foundation and Center for the Future of Arizona, CFA Senior Director for Education Peter Boyle noted many teachers are leaving the profession.
“Arizona's got about 60,000 public school teachers; that's a lot,” he said. “After school year 2025, almost 14.5% of them left the profession. That is twice the national average, which is 7%.”
The shortage can be especially acute in high-poverty schools. A Learning Policy Institute report found teachers in Title I schools are substantially more likely to hold emergency or provisional credentials or teach outside their certified field. That has particular relevance in Yuma, where most schools receive Title I funding.
Crane Elementary School District Superintendent Dale Ponder said the three-year degrees will give local students a more affordable way to become teachers without leaving the community.
“By preparing educators right here in Yuma, we're building a stronger pipeline of teachers who understand our students, know our communities and are more likely to stay in our schools, making a lasting difference for our students, families and the communities we serve,” he said.
Applications for the programs are already open. To learn more, visit education.asu.edu.
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This reporting is supported by a grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation.
