Arizona CS Endorsement Information

Interested in adding a Computer Science Endorsement to your Teaching Certification? 

Arizona has THREE options: 

  • Computer Science, PreK-8 Endorsement
  • Computer Science, 6-12 Endorsement
  • Computer Science, PreK-12 Endorsement 
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the AZ Dept of Education website.  
If you have a current out-of-state Certificate or Endorsement, submit a photocopy of your paperwork.

Grades PreK-8 Endorsement

The Computer Science, PreK-8 Endorsement authorizes the holder to teach Computer Science in grades PreK-8. 

Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Special Education, or PreK-12 Teaching certificate.

-AND-

Computer Science Coursework and/or Training:

  • Three semester hours in foundations for teaching computer science which addresses the following topics:
    • Introduction to computer science;
    • Inclusive recruitment, retention, and pedagogical strategies for computer science education;
    • Computational thinking;
    • Instructional planning based on the Arizona state standards for computer science, or comparable computer science.
  • Six additional semester hours in computer science to include the following:
    • Three semester hours in teaching and learning programming for educators; and
    • Three semester hours in computer science electives, which may include, but are not limited to, physical computing or mobile computing.

Grades 6-12 Endorsement

The Computer Science, Grades 6-12 Endorsement authorizes the holder to teach Computer Science in grades 6-12. 

Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Special Education, or PreK-12 Teaching certificate.

-AND-

Computer Science Coursework and/or Training:

  • Three semester hours in foundations for teaching computer science which addresses the following topics:
    • Introduction to computer science;
    • Inclusive recruitment, retention, and pedagogical strategies for computer science education;
    • Computational thinking;
    • Instructional planning based on the Arizona state standards for computer science, or comparable computer science.
  • Nine additional semester hours in computer science to include the following:
    • Three semester hours in teaching and learning programming for educators; and
    • Six semester hours in computer science electives, which may include, but are not limited to, computer programming, cybersecurity, algorithms and data structures, operating systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, database development and management, computer networks, and data mining and analytics

Grades PreK-12 Endorsement

The Computer Science, PreK-12 endorsement authorizes the holder to teach Computer Science in a preschool through grade 12 classroom.

Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, Secondary or Special Education teaching certificate; 

-AND-

Computer Science Coursework: Completion of ALL of the following:

  • One course in the methods of teaching Computer Science at the elementary level; and
  • One course in the methods of teaching Computer Science at the secondary level; and
  • A minimum of 30 semester hours of courses in the Computer Science content area, which may include the required methods of teaching the Computer Science courses.

The Computer Science Endorsements for Grades PreK-8 and Grades 6-12 provide the following option:

District/Charter School Training Option: Completion of a training program through an Arizona public local education agency (district or charter school) or an accredited college or university may substitute for the required semester hours of coursework. Fifteen clock hours of training, or the equivalent competency-based credential, is equivalent to one semester hour of college coursework. Completion of training programs must be verified by a public school superintendent or personnel director, or by the appropriate administrator of an accredited college or university.

The training option is NOT applicable to the PreK-12 Endorsement. Official Transcripts of coursework are required.