Education - Graduate - Arizona

Admission to the graduate programs at Ottawa University is limited. The minimum requirements for regular admission include the following (additional requirements and exceptions may vary by program or location as noted):

  • Official transcript indicating an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum junior/senior grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale (see additional GPA and course requirements for professional counseling program).
  • Official transcripts of graduate coursework, if applicable. Please note the counseling program requires a two-page essay on career development.
  • Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional abilities.
  • Current resume. Preference is given to applicants with at two years of relevant employment or volunteer experience. A copy of a current state certificate or teaching license in good standing and a minimum of three years of teaching experience is required for the Educational Leadership concentration.
  • Essay of 300-500 words describing the applicant’s development and expectations for graduate study and demonstrating the ability to organize thoughts a clear, concise manner.
  • International students interested in applying to the graduate program should consult the graduate program at the location where they are applying.

Provisional admission may be granted to a student under the following conditions:

  • Junior/senior GPA is between 2.5 and 2.9.

  • Student has not completed necessary preparatory coursework required for the program to which they are applying.
  • Student lacks satisfactory grades in preparatory coursework.
  • Student lacks professional or interpersonal skills required for full admission into a program leading to licensure, based upon recommendation by the admissions.

Students granted provisional admission based on criterion must successfully complete 12 semester credit hours of OU coursework with no course grade below a “B” in order to be granted full admission. Students granted provisional admission based on any of the other criteria must meet all other requirements outlined in their provisional acceptance in order to be granted full admission.

Arizona Teacher Education Certification (Program Exit)
At the end of the practicum and/or internship (the last requirement for education majors), candidates may obtain an Institutional Recommendation form that alerts the State Department of Teacher Certification that the teacher candidate has fulfilled all academic requirements associated with each of the programs requiring certification in the State of Arizona.

To obtain the Institutional Recommendation form, the candidate must have:

  1. maintained a cumulative grade point average no less than a 3.0 in all coursework,
  2. possess an Arizona State Department of Education valid IVP fingerprint card,
  3. show proof of “passing performance” in the Arizona Educator Professional Assessment (AEPA), or National Evaluation Series (NES) where applicable
  4. complete the program of study in which certification is sought and in be good standing with the university,
  5. obtain a recommendation and clearance from his or her academic advisor,
  6. receives clearance and signature from the AZ-Certification Officer.

At Ottawa University – Arizona, the institutional recommendation is issued by AZ Certification Officer. The academic advisor of the candidate certifies the program of study to be complete. With these documents in place signature on the Institutional Recommendation form, plus an exit appointment, and the valid IVP fingerprint card, the candidate is eligible to approach the Arizona State Department for Certification, where he/she presents the appropriate fee before receiving his/her the first certification, which is valid for two years.