Education - Secondary


Program Description


Students planning to enter the field of secondary education can complete their first two years of study at Arizona Western College. An Associate in Arts degree in Secondary Education will prepare students to transfer to a university and earn their bachelor’s degree. Education majors should consult with their academic advisors concerning the courses required for certification in Arizona and/or graduation from a state university with a bachelor’s degree in education. Secondary education students also need to double major in the discipline they wish to teach in high school.

Graduates of these programs will successfully complete the following learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate an awareness of and a beginning understanding of the teaching profession in regard to its historical context, the implications of the profession, and the role played by public education in contemporary society
  • Articulate a beginning philosophy of education that incorporates an understanding of relevant theories and models of education
  • Construct lesson plans based on current best practices, developmental theories, and state, and national standards
  • Implement self-reflection strategies to enhance professional and personal growth

Degree(s) / Certificates(s)


Title Local Bachelor's
Education - Secondary - A.A. Transfer Degree
Physical Education - A.A. Transfer Degree -

Career Outlook


Successful completion of this program may lead to a variety of employment opportunities, most of which require continued higher education at the university level. Below are examples of related occupations and annual mean wages in Arizona according to a May 2019 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Teaching Assistants 
Perform duties that are instructional in nature or deliver direct services to students or parents. Serve in a position for which a teacher has ultimate responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.
$26,590
Short-Term Substitute Teachers 
Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher’s lesson plan.
$30,080
Middle School Career and Technical Education Teachers
Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level. 
$40,380
Middle School Teachers 
Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.
$45,120
Middle School Special Education Teachers 
Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
$46,030
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors
Teach or instruct out-of-school youths and adults in basic education, literacy, or English as a Second Language classes, or in classes for earning a high school equivalency credential.
$47,760
Secondary School Special Education Teachers
Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
$49,010
Secondary School Teachers 
Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.
$50,320
Secondary School Career and Technical Education Teachers
Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the secondary school level.
$52,530
Instructional Coordinators
Develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology into instruction in order to provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses. May train and coach teachers. Includes educational consultants and specialists, and instructional material directors.
$54,550
Successful completion of this program may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Check the above for additional information.

Contact Information


Department Contact(s)

Social Sciences


Hours of Operation
Faculty/Staff Contact(s)
Name Title Phone Email
Patricia Powers Professor of Education (928) 317-6051 patricia.powers@azwestern.edu