Grand Canyon University teams up with iteachU.S. on teacher and principal certification programs

Aspiring teachers and principals can earn their certification and 12 graduate credits in 12 months; partnership aids those pursuing careers in education or education administration

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Grand Canyon University

Aug 09, 2013, 11:00 ET

PHOENIX, Aug. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Grand Canyon University (GCU) has formed a partnership with iteachU.S. to provide a pathway to certification for aspiring teachers and principals and a gateway to affordable, advanced learning for educators seeking to further their futures in education or education administration positions.

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Individuals with a bachelor's degree can enroll in one of iteachU.S.'s teacher or principal certification programs to earn their certification in twelve months through online curriculum, along with face-to-face mentoring, support and evaluation.

In addition, those who complete certification through iteachU.S. can transfer 12 credit hours toward a master's degree at GCU and complete their curriculum in nine months at a discounted tuition cost. Individuals who are enrolled in a master's degree program at GCU and who have a minimum of 12 hours of graduate credit are also eligible to enroll in iteachU.S.'s principal certification program to become a certified principal. Through this agreement, an individual can work concurrently on a master's degree at GCU and principal certification through iteachU.S.

"The partnership affords promising teachers, along with principals and other administrators, new opportunities to secure positions with greater financial rewards," said Jason Tantrum, Director of University Development in GCU's College of Education.

In 2003, the Texas State Board for Educator Certification approved iteachTEXAS as the first private entity offering teacher certification. Within three years, the program had become one of the largest of its kind in Texas and added a principal certification option. Since 2007, the successful model piloted in Texas has been replicated in four other states. In 2012 iteachU.S. became an NCATE-accredited institution.

"The idea is to prepare teachers and principals for the workplace in a rigorous and effective way, while being flexible enough to allow non-traditional graduates and those seeking a career change the opportunity to teach," said Diann Huber, Ed.D., President of iteachU.S.

Huber said the partnership with GCU is ideal, "because we share common values and a service leadership philosophy."

For more information about the program, email [email protected] or call 877-241-3795.

About iteachU.S.

iteachU.S. is a distance-based educator preparation program that combines the convenience of online learning via accredited curriculum with the support of face-to-face mentorship. Founded in Texas in 2003, iteachU.S. is approved to offer educator preparation in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Hawaii, and Idaho. iteachU.S. recruits diverse, well-qualified individuals by offering flexible continuous enrollment and low upfront costs; the program equips prospective educators with rigorous, research-based training. In 2012, the program earned accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). For more details, visit iteachUS.com.

About Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949 and is Arizona's premier private Christian university. GCU is regionally accredited and emphasizes individual attention for both traditional undergraduate students and the working professional in seven colleges: the Ken Blanchard College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Theology, the College of Fine Arts and Production, and the College of Doctoral Studies. GCU offers traditional programs on its growing campus, as well as online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs. The University's curriculum fuses academic and clinical rigor with Christian values to prepare its students to be skilled, caring professionals. For more information about GCU, visit gcu.edu.

SOURCE Grand Canyon University