Professional Development

The Education Studies Department at Mesa Community College supports educators through professional development and continuing education opportunities that build skills, deepen expertise, and support career advancement. Below you’ll find program and resources designed to help you continue learning and growing in the field of education.

Educators Academy

The Education Studies Department provides ongoing professional development for in-service teachers, pre-service educators, and others working in the field of education.  Offered virtually and in person, these sessions focus on strengthening instructional practices and promoting high-impact approaches to teaching and learning. Participants receive certificates of participation for each session, which may be applied toward Arizona teacher recertification requirements.

Coursework Applied to Recertification Hours

Certified teachers in Arizona maintain their certificate through a renewal process. Regular renewal requirements are listed below.

Professional Development: Proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term, or proof of an approved license or certificate, is required for renewal.  *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities. The clock hours or semester hours may be completed in various increments per year.  

  • A 6-year certificate requires 90 professional development hours.
  • A 8-year certificate requires 120 professional development hours.
  • A 12-year certificate requires 180 professional development hours.

Use MCC's Course Search tool to find discipline related courses such as early childhood (CFS, EED, ECH) and K-12 education (EDU).

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Endorsements are attachments to educator certificates that expand the areas the certificate holder is authorized to teach. MCC offers coursework that may be applied to teacher endorsements. MCC does not regularly schedule the full suite of required courses for an endorsements, however, we will explore partnerships to offer endorsement courses for school districts that guarantee a minimum of 15 enrollments per course. Explore a few of the certificate programs below that apply to endorsement requirements.

English as a Second Language

The program emphasizes the philosophical, cultural, and linguistic processes involved in teaching English language learners.

Reading Specialist

Coursework focuses on foundations of language and literacy, essential elements of elementary reading and writing instruction, elements of elementary content area reading and writing, reading assessment systems, and leadership.

Early Childhood Education

Students learn effective teaching skills as they apply developmentally appropriate early childhood educational theory in the classroom setting.

Constitution Certification Requirement

All teachers in Arizona must meet a U.S. and Arizona Constitution requirement for a standard professional teaching certificate within three years of teaching (or for those teaching in the social science, within one year of teaching). Pre-service teachers are highly encouraged to meet the requirement prior to completing an MCC Education associate or bachelor degree program. These courses usually satisfy general education and/or program course requirements. You may meet the requirement through coursework or exam.

Through Coursework

These courses meet state certification requirements for both constitutions:

  • GCU/POS113: United States and Arizona Studies OR
  • POS220: U.S. and Arizona Constitution

These courses require a combination of enrollments to meet state certification requirements for both constitutions:

  • POS110: American National Government OR
  • HIS103: U.S. History to 1865

AND

  • POS221: Arizona Constitution

Use the Course Search tool to find a class that works with your schedule.

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Through Exam:

Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) U.S. and Arizona Constitution Exam through an approved testing center.