Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical Christian community of
disciples and scholars who seek to advance the work of God in the
world through academic excellence in liberal arts and
professional programs of higher education that encourage students
to develop a Christian perspective of truth and life.
The School of Education is a large configuration comprised of six
departments and more than 36 programs. Each of these programs
provides a rigorous academic curriculum that reflects the
university's mission to integrate academic excellence and advance
the work of God. They are all demanding and intellectually
challenging, yet flexible and student centered. Creative
scheduling allows professionals engaged in evolving careers to
enroll in graduate courses taught by highly qualified faculty,
held in the evenings and on Saturdays, both on APU's main campus
in Azusa and at seven regional centers conveniently located
throughout Southern California.
APU's School of Education values the importance of developing
programs of distinction and academic integrity. This attention to
excellence has earned the school notable accreditations. The
university is accredited by the Western Association of Schools
and Colleges (WASC), while the School of Education is accredited
by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and
the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
(NCATE), the most prestigious recognition a School of Education
can receive.
Designed for kindergarten to college educators in public or
private schools, this program provides varied opportunities to
acquire new curriculum knowledge and instructional strategies to
better serve the personal, social, academic, and literacy
development needs of all K-U students interacting in diverse
multicultural classrooms.
M.A. in Education: Digital Teaching and Learning
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APU's Master of Arts in Education: Digital Teaching and Learning
focuses on foundational tools teachers need to design and
implement instructional experiences that integrate technology
throughout the curriculum. Attention is given to learning theory
for today's digital learner, instructional video, and Web 2.0
tools for enhanced interactive learning. Each course provides
hands-on instruction, giving candidates the time and training
needed to develop subject-specific skills and activities.
Two combined programs pair a Single or Multiple-Subject Teaching
Credential with the master's degree, offering tracks for
candidates with no teaching contract and for currently contracted
teachers.
M.A. in Education: Educational Counseling (with embedded
credential in School Counseling)
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APU's Master of Arts in Education: Educational Counseling Program
equips candidates with in-depth understanding of the numerous
issues and pressures facing pupils today. With a solid background
in this area, candidates are better able to communicate with
pupils of all cultures, socioeconomic levels, and learning
abilities.
The master's degree coupled with the Pupil Personnel Services
Credential: School Counseling significantly increases one's
professional marketability. This program immerses the candidate
into the world of school counseling, emphasizing practical
techniques to help pupils stay in school. Candidates explore
problem-solving skills, discipline procedures, crisis and routine
intervention, and work side-by-side with practicing school
counselors.
M.A. in Education: Educational Psychology (with embedded
credential in School Psychology)
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Today's classrooms encompass a wide spectrum of cultural and
socioeconomic backgrounds and learning abilities. School
psychologists have become essential resources in the overall
success of modern education and have never been more in demand.
The most effective professionals in the field demonstrate skills
beyond basic training, and dedication to serving all students,
empowering them to succeed as lifelong learners. Earning both the
master's degree and the credential from a Christian perspective,
APU graduates are distinguished from their counterparts by their
caring, compassionate approach, strong background, and solid
ethical standards.
The Master of Arts in Education: Educational Psychology at APU is
also conditionally approved by the National Association of School
Psychologists (NASP), meaning graduates of the program are
nationally recognized as having received the highest standard of
training for school psychologists. Upon passing the Praxis II
School Psychology Examination, graduates are also eligible to
become Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP), a
distinction that offers career advancement opportunities and
gives them a highly marketable specialty. APU is one of just
three faith-based universities on the West Coast to hold both
NASP approval and NCATE accreditation.
M.A. in Education: Special Education
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Azusa Pacific University recognizes the need to provide quality
academic programs for graduate students with divergent
professional goals and differing educational needs. The Master of
Arts in Education: Special Education (non-credential) is
designated for individuals eager to pursue a Master of Arts with
emphases in classroom interventions, bilingual special education,
or behavior interventions. (This program does not lead to a
California teaching credential.)
The program suits the working professional seeking job
opportunities in the areas of disabilities advocacy, private
school administration, community college instruction, or as a
prerequisite for admission to a doctoral program in special
education. Furthermore, attorneys who wish to specialize in
special education law or desire to become a due process hearing
officer may enroll in this program. Federal, state, and local
government Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs) employ
professionals with this degree to monitor and enforce special
education procedures and programs.
M.A. in Educational Leadership
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Azusa Pacific University's Master of Arts in Educational
Leadership Program prepares students to serve as effective,
innovative educational administrators. Graduates emerge
well-equipped to fulfill leadership roles in P-12 schools such as
principal, assistant principal, teacher leader, curriculum
leader, and department chair. The program emphasizes a strong
Christian approach and incorporates the following themes
throughout the coursework: strengths-based leadership, theory to
practice, collaboration, ethics, reflection, diversity, teaching
and learning, student achievement, and technology.
Most students combine the M.A. in Educational Leadership with the
Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (Tier I), in a
combined program also offered at APU.
M.A. in Educational Technology and Learning
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The demand is high for educators and administrators with
expertise in technology. Designed for emerging teachers eager to
meet the challenges of the 21st century, the Master of
Arts in Educational Technology and Learning prepares a new breed
of teacher. Students in the program gain firsthand experience in
the integration of technology in the classroom through hands-on
activities. The focus moves beyond merely accessing the Internet,
offering practical techniques to develop cross-cultural literacy
and communicate with the world at large.
M.S. in Physical Education
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The program provides advanced study within the broad discipline
of physical education and allows students to elect coursework
with advisor approval in sport medicine, fitness/aging, sociology
of physical education, physiology of sport, curriculum, and the
history and philosophy of human movement.
The Master of Science in Physical Education prepares students for
admission to doctoral programs. It also enhances competencies in
teaching, consulting or program administration, and opens doors
to a variety of other physical or sport-related careers.
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
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The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Program
provides options for three emphases:
The leadership emphasis focuses on preparing graduates
for administrative positions at the school site, district
office or county, state, and federal levels in public or
private education.
The school psychology emphasis prepares graduates for
leadership roles in pupil services areas and for teaching,
consultation, and independent practice.
The teaching and learning emphasis prepares graduates
for leadership roles in districts and schools, particularly in
curriculum and instruction, and for teaching and mentoring
roles in teacher education programs in colleges and
universities. Curriculum development, independent consulting,
and research are other career possibilities.
The program is offered via a flexible cohort model. Students
complete the equivalent of two courses (six units) per term for
three terms per year. The Azusa campus cohort opens in the fall
and meets on Wednesday evenings or Saturdays. Regional center
cohorts open each spring and meet on Saturdays.
Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development Certificate
(CLAD)
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The Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development (CLAD)
Certificate Program is designed to meet the needs of
secondary-language children in California by equipping teachers
with the tools to understand the process of language and academic
development, and the sensitivity and specific skills necessary to
facilitate learning in a multi-cultural classroom.
Mild/Moderate Disabilities (K-12) Specialist Credential - Level I
(Tracks 1 & 2)
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APU now offers a fifth-year credential in special education for
the teaching of mild/moderate disabled students (K-12). The
program is offered in two distinct tracks to accommodate
educators from various points of entry. The Level I credential
offers Track 1 for those with no teaching contract. Track 2 is
for the currently contracted teacher.
Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential
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APU's Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential Program prepares
teachers for positions at the elementary and middle school levels
(K-8).
Track A
Track A is specifically designed for the individual not
teaching full time in a K-12 school and who lacks
subject-matter competence. This track is appropriate for adults
making career changes, as well as for those who are teaching
without fulfilling subject-matter competence.
Track B
Track B is for teacher candidates who are employed teaching
full time in a public K-12, or WASC-approved K-12 private
school, in a setting and assignment approved as appropriate for
that credential by the credential program advisor. Track B
candidates must have completed their subject-matter
requirements.
Single-Subject Teaching Credential
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APU's Single-Subject Teaching Credential Program prepares
teachers for positions at the middle and high school levels
(7-12), and K-12 specialists in art, music, and physical
education.
Track A
The track A option is specifically designed for the candidate
who is not teaching full time and who lacks subject-matter
competence. This track is also appropriate for adults making
career changes, as well as for those who are teaching without
fulfilling subject-matter competence.
Track B
The track B option is for teacher candidates who are employed
teaching full time in a public K-12, or WASC-approved K-12
private school in a setting and assignment approved as
appropriate for that credential by the credential advisor.
Track B candidates must have completed their subject-matter
requirements.
