Arizona runs on people, and Maricopa Community Colleges is in the people business. Before anyone can step into roles as entrepreneurs starting new businesses, healthcare professionals saving lives, or artists creating masterpieces, someone has to teach them.
As Arizona faces a decade-long K-12 teacher shortage, Maricopa Community Colleges understands the urgent need to get more highly trained, credentialed teachers in classrooms. With 10 colleges offering more than 600 certificates and degrees—including 11 bachelor’s degrees intentionally selected to support high-impact professions—the system is building the pipeline for our state’s future.
Bachelor's Degrees Made for Arizonans
The path to a bachelor’s degree at traditional four-year universities can still feel out of reach for many due to rising costs and scheduling constraints, especially for first-time college students and those working full-time to support their families.
Recognizing this gap, Maricopa Community Colleges launched its affordable bachelor’s degree programs in 2023—including two education-focused degree pathways—that offer flexible schedules and several learning options, allowing students to balance coursework with their existing commitments.
Today, more than 8,700 students are enrolled in Maricopa Community Colleges’ four-year degree programs, with over 2,000 students choosing to become future educators through the Early Childhood Education - Dual Language and Elementary Education and Special Education programs.
Affordability Meets Flexibility
Arizona native Gabriel Relf is a perfect example of this success. As a non-traditional college student, juggling work and family responsibilities, he needed a college that fit his budget and schedule. Relf chose Rio Salado College (Rio Salado) for its affordability and flexibility, a decision that ultimately put him at the front of the classroom.
“I believe that college being affordable for teachers makes a huge difference. If I hadn’t had the opportunity to attend Rio, I definitely wouldn’t be in the classroom right now,” said Relf. “But because Maricopa Community Colleges offered the four-year degree at such an affordable price, I believe that many more teachers could make that decision if they knew it was possible.”
A Full-Circle Journey
For Relf, earning a bachelor’s degree at Rio Salado in 2025 led him right back to where he started, teaching fifth-grade science at the same school he attended as a child, Madrid Neighborhood School, in the Alhambra Elementary School District.
“I do believe that the future of Arizona starts with teachers,” he added. “Without teachers, nobody would really know anything.”
A stronger Arizona starts with Maricopa Community Colleges. Find out how we’re making college work for every Arizonan here.