Azusa Pacific University

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 7 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 California's Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the most prestigious recognition a School of Education can receive. Further, APU's Master of Arts in Education: Educational Psychology Program is conditionally approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), making the Master's degree and embedded school psychology credential earned through this program nationally recognized.

M.A. in Education: Curriculum and Instruction in Multicultural Contexts

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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 21^st 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.

Information

If you are interested in this school and would like to find out more, please Request Information from Azusa Pacific University.