By admin 
TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — Future educators of Arizona could soon speed up their learning with new bachelor’s degree programs at Arizona State University.
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The university announced the launch of its first three-year bachelor’s degree program on Thursday. Officials said the program will give education students a new option of an accelerated curriculum for certain paths while preserving academic quality.
Students are now able to choose the three-year program for Bachelor of Education—Elementary Education and Bachelor of Education—Special Education. Both programs will meet all required state teaching certifications.
The programs through the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation are said to be the nation’s first three-year bachelor’s degrees in education from a public university.
“Future educators should be able to easily access high-quality programs that work for their needs,” said Carole Basile, dean of Mary Lou Fulton College. “These new programs reflect years of redesigning educator preparation so more students can pursue meaningful careers in education through ASU’s high-quality preparation.”
The three-year programs are available both online and in-person. They’ll require a minimum of 90 credits, compared to 120 credits for a four-year degree, the school said.
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The new education programs come at a time when the state has a major need for teachers. In fall 2025, about 1,400 teaching positions were open in Arizona, with over 4,000 more positions being filled through alternative measures.
“School districts need innovative solutions that make it easier for talented people in our communities to become teachers,” said Jennifer Cruz, superintendent of the Pendergast Elementary School District in Phoenix. “Expanding access to high-quality educator preparation while reducing barriers is an important step toward strengthening Arizona’s teacher pipeline and helping more students succeed.”
ASU officials said they are looking to offer more three-year degree programs in the future.
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