Intensive Program Highlights
The APU Experience: Highlights of the Intensive Programs
The Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership is an intensive program for the working professional. As such, there are distinctive features of this program that make the APU experience a life-changing one for our students.
The Cohort Model
Students are admitted to the intensive program as part of a cohort. Cohorts are typically 12-18 students who are employed full-time in higher education or a related field. They take courses in a carefully designed sequence and stay with their cohort throughout the program, as much as possible. This affords students the benefit of a network of professional colleagues with whom to study and conduct research. Our students report that their fellow students are one of the highlights of being in the intensive program.
Course Schedule
In the Ed.D. intensive, students come to APU twice a year for 10 days each time. Morning classes are offered 8-11:30 a.m. and afternoon classes meet from 1:30-5 p.m. Two courses are offered each term. Each class consists of five days in July and five days in January; each term two classes are starting and two classes are concluding, so that in between terms, students are working online on course assignments.
Registration and Books
Students register for classes when they arrive on campus. Payment for Ed.D. courses is due each term. A textbook list is sent in advance to students. Ed.D. students are expected to complete some assigned reading in advance.
Housing
Campus housing is available during the summer only. Modular housing options are available, which contain full kitchens. A complete housing packet is sent in advance to Ed.D. and M.Ed. students. Summer food service is available at APU and there are many restaurants within easy walking distance of the Azusa campus. In January, Ed.D. students must arrange for their own off-campus housing, although a list of local options with APU discounts is available.
Support from Your Home Institution
Students in this program hail from many different kinds of institutions throughout the world. Their home institutions provide various levels of support for these professional students who are pursuing graduate education. Please consider asking your home institution to support you in your advanced educational efforts. Types of institutional support students receive from their home institutions include the following: release time for professional development (2-4 weeks); funds for airfare, housing, and meals (as if attending a professional conference); book purchases; and tuition subsidy (faculty/staff development funds or benefit packages).
Local Airports and Transportation
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the closest airport to APU, located approximately 25 minutes away. The Burbank (BUR), Los Angeles International (LAX), Long Beach (LGB), and John Wayne (SNA) airports are all about an hour from campus. Shuttle vans are available from the airport for a fee; however, most students arrange for a rental car. Ed.D. students receive a list of students who are flying in for the intensives each year, so that car pooling and airport pickups can be arranged.
