Bachelor of Arts in Social Science w/ Education concentration (BASS/Ed.)
You'll be excited to know that Ashford University® and Rio Salado College have partnered to offer aspiring teachers the opportunity of a lifetime.. Your pathway to becoming an educator starts at Ashford University where you'll earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science with Education concentration (BASS/Ed.). Then, you'll start your Teacher Preparation Program at Rio Salado College Online. With this Post-Baccalaureate partnership, you can earn your BA and Arizona Teacher Certification in as few as 2 1/2 years.
The Ashford University/Rio Salado partnership empowers you to:
Accelerate your path to degree completion: Ashford University offers courses that are required in the Teacher Preparation Program offered by Rio Salado College online. In addition, you can transfer up to 99 approved credits toward your BA degree at Ashford, making your path to completion even faster.
Prepare for your future by taking classes at Ashford that will apply toward the Teacher Preparation Program at Rio Salado where you will choose your area of specialization in education: Elementary Education, Secondary Education or Special Education.
Experience comprehensive coursework in the Rio Salado Teacher Preparation Program. You'll participate in four major components: online coursework, site-based practicums, nine weeks of student teaching, and Master Teacher Seminars. Online teacher education coursework begins every two weeks for easy scheduling and can be completed in 14 weeks or as few as six weeks with instructor approval.
Upon graduation from Ashford, you'll complete your Arizona Teacher Certification coursework at Rio Salado College Online and its online teacher preparation program that is approved by the Arizona State Board of Education. Upon completion of Rio Salado coursework, you will be able to qualify to apply for an Arizona teaching certificate in elementary, secondary or special education. The Rio Salado Teacher Preparation Program is accepted in the majority of states besides Arizona*.
State Specific Teaching Information
Ashford University is located in Iowa, but the Rio Salado certification program leads to certification only in the state of Arizona. The link below connects you to Rio's website where you will find information on how to take your Arizona certification to other states. Ashford's program is a bridge to the Rio Salado Program, not a certification program in and of itself. Completing Ashford's BASS/Ed. will not qualify you for Iowa certification. You will earn Arizona certification through the Rio Salado program after you have completed your BASS/Ed. at Ashford.
If one of these programs sounds like it will fit your personal and professional goals, contact us at 866-711-1700 to learn more, or click here to request additional information.
Specific questions related to teaching certification in Iowa should be directed to Ashford University's Dean of Education, Joen Rottler joen.rottler@ashford.edu
If you plan on teaching in a state other than Arizona, click here for state specific information.
Click here for information on Rio Salado Teacher Preparation Program Details.
*Interested applicants should consult their individual state requirements for teacher certification.