Contact Information
General Contact
- School Code: 107400
- Phone: (623) 845-3000
- School Homepage
Admissions Office
- Phone: (800) 800-9776
Financial Aid Office
- Phone: (800) 800-9776
ACCEPTANCE RATE
76.94%FINANCIAL AID RATE
98%STUDENT TEACHER RATIO
20:1DEGREE OFFERED ONLINE
178FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.
$7,074Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students
Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid
Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition
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Reading Teacher and Literacy Specialist Degree
The literacy specialist and reading reacher tracks are an area of study focused on helping others with the cognitive process of decoding symbols to construct meaning from text. As a means of language acquisitions, reading is a vital part of sharing information and communicating with othe Get more details below including other Arizona colleges that offer reading teacher and literacy specialist degrees.

Grand Canyon University
6000 W Olive Ave, Glendale, AZ
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private Christian institute of higher learning located in Phoenix, Arizona. It offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees through its online and on campus programs. A leading bible college, GCU also has been recognized for offering some of the top-rated online education programs in the United States. GCU's degree programs are offered through its Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Education, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, College of Doctoral Studies, and College of Fine Arts and Production. Programs are designed for traditional undergraduate students as well as for working professionals.
The GCU mission states that as a private Christian College it "prepares learners to become global citizens, critical thinkers, effective communicators and responsible leaders by providing an academically challenging, values-based curriculum from the context of our Christian heritage."
History
In 1949, the Baptist General Convention of Arizona founded Grand Canyon University. It was the state's first private university, and opened with 93 students on its first campus in Prescott, Arizona.
In 1951, GCU relocated to the present campus in Phoenix, Arizona. A group of the university's founders relocated to the new campus and continued to grow its programs in education, English, religion, music, mathematics, history, and athletics. The goal was to make GCU a "beacon of Christian education" and academic excellence.
In 1968, the North Central Association granted GCU regional accreditation. Over the years, GCU began to win national championships in athletics including basketball, baseball, and women's tennis. Academic programs were expanded in the 1980's to include master's degrees.
Academics
Grand Canyon University's academic calendar follows the semester system with a fall, spring and summer semester. It offers 8-week and 16-week classes.
GCU offers nearly 60 different undergraduate degrees between its campus-based and online programs. It offers more than 50 master's degrees with different specializations, and eight doctoral degrees. Some degree programs are offered with both the on-campus and online options.
Colleges and Schools
Grand Canyon University (GCU) offers many degree programs through its different colleges and schools, which include:
- Ken Blanchard College of Business
- College of Nursing & Health Sciences
- College of Education
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Fine Arts and Productions
- College of Doctoral Studies
Student Life
On-campus students of Grand Canyon University will benefit from the services provided by the Health and Wellness Center, Disability Services, Career Services, the Copy and Mail Center, the Library, a Fitness Center, cafeteria and campus coffee shop. There are also many recreational activities and intramural sports offered at GCU's Phoenix campus. Intramural sports include flag football, inner-tube water polo, soccer, softball, basketball, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, and many more.
Online students of GCU will benefit from the Quick Start Resource Center, which offers many student services through the university's website.
Traditions
From its early beginnings, Grand Canyon University has been a Christian university with a tradition of "educating people to lead and serve."
Athletics
Grand Canyon University has a strong intercollegiate athletics program and has produced many top-ranking national athletes. The GCU Antelopes (nickname: 'Lopes) teams have won many regional and national championships.
Athletics facilities at GCU include the Brazell Stadium (baseball), Antelope Gymnasium (Basketball, Volleyball), GCU Soccer Complex, Stapleton-Pierson Stadium (Softball), Phoenix Swim Club, Paseo Racquet Center (Tennis) and the Student Recreation Center.
Intercollegiate sports at GCU include:
Men's Sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Swimming & Diving
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming & Diving
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
Satellite Campuses
Many of GCU's professional and degree programs are offered online, allowing students to complete their courses from any location.
Community Life
As a Christian university, GCU offers many opportunities for spiritual growth and mission work. The GCU offices of Student Life and Spiritual Life are there to build community on campus for students with diverse needs. These offices host many events and activities to encourage involvement and connection with the community. There are local, regional and international ministries available on a short-term or long-term basis.
Students Enrolled in the Reading Teacher and Literacy Specialist Program
Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Grand Canyon University has offered the following programs for students:
- Master's Degree
- Post-Masters Certificate
Students by Academic Level (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Master's Degree | 509 |
Post-Masters Certificate | 4 |
Students by Gender (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Male | 20 |
Female | 493 |
Students by Race (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
American Indian | 2 |
Asian | 6 |
Black | 65 |
Hispanic | 65 |
White | 333 |
Multiple Races | 5 |
Unknown | 37 |
Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.
Career Options for Graduates
Students who have completed the Reading Teacher and Literacy Specialist program at Grand Canyon University, have entered into some of these more popular career paths listed below:Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Description
Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, education teachers, postsecondary employment is expected to grow at a rate of 9.1% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Total Employment: 1
- Average Annual Salary: $64880
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Description
Teach students in one or more subjects in public or private schools at the middle, intermediate, or junior high level, which falls between elementary and senior high school as defined by applicable laws and regulations.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education employment is expected to grow at a rate of 5.9% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Total Employment: 6
- Average Annual Salary: $42950
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Description
Teach students in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies at the secondary level in public or private schools. May be designated according to subject matter specialty.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education employment is expected to grow at a rate of 5.8% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Total Employment: 10
- Average Annual Salary: $49450
Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Admission Requirements & Details
The admission details below may provide a better idea of the applicants Grand Canyon University accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP or college credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, Grand Canyon University may provide student services including:- Distance learning
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Academic counseling for students
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Assisting students to find work
Intercollegiate Athletics
Grand Canyon University is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports being in the NCAA Division I without football classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Western Athletic Conference)
- Basketball (Western Athletic Conference)
- Track and Field (Western Athletic Conference)
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Beach Volleyball