Master of Arts in Education: Educational Psychology

Admission Requirements

Application Requirements

University graduate and program admission requirements must be met before an application is complete.

International students have a separate application procedure that precedes the admission process. Please see below, contact the International Center at (626) 812-3055, or email ies@apu.edu.

Prospective students must submit the following directly to the Graduate Center after attending a mandatory informational meeting to receive initial group advising:

1. Completed Application for Graduate Admission
2. A $45 nonrefundable application fee
3. Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant's baccalaureate degree (bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution) and all post-baccalaureate study (To be considered official, a transcript must be mailed directly from the Office of the Registrar of the institution attended to the Graduate Center at Azusa Pacific University. Students' sealed copies will not be considered official. Baccalaureate or master's degree grade-point average (GPA) should be at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.9 if competency can be shown using multiple measures.)
4. Three recommendation forms should be submitted by supervisors who have current knowledge of the applicant's academic ability and potential for service within the credential area. A professor, current supervisor, or previous supervisor may write the letter of recommendation. A letter of recommendation from a pastor, friend, or coworker will NOT be accepted.
5. A five-page essay/autobiography describing personal and professional history
6. Résumé, vita (preferred), or Statement of Experience, including most relevant work and volunteer experience
7. Proof of Certificate of Clearance (Submit photocopy of most current Emergency Permit or Certificate of Clearance (finger- print check for CTC) application to the Graduate Center. For more information, please contact Credential Analyst Wendy Ramsey at (626) 815-5455, [wramsey@apu.edu]).
8. Successful completion of the CBEST (Proof of completion; test scores and/or CBEST card)
9. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores. The GRE must have been taken within the last 12 months prior to application. All three scores, with an emphasis on the writing score, are used as one consideration for approving an application. Although a minimum score is not required, the GRE is one element in the whole application process. Admission is competitive and not all students who meet the minimum requirements will be admitted. Information on the administration of this test is available from the Department of School Counseling and School Psychology.
10. If international students have graduated from a college or university where English was not the principal language, they must provide proof of a minimum TOEFL score of 550.

After all above materials have been received by the Office of Graduate Admissions, the Department of School Counseling and School Psychology reviews the file and notifies the applicant by mail to schedule an admission interview. The prospective candidate should come prepared to be interviewed by two members of the department’s faculty. The purpose of the interview is to meet the candidate, discuss career goals, evaluate match of the program to the student, and make an initial assessment of the applicant’s potential for success as a school psychologist.

All materials should be sent to:
Graduate Center: Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000

Located at:
568 E. Foothill Blvd.
Azusa, CA 91702
(626) 815-4545
Fax (626) 815-4571
graduatecenter@apu.edu

International applicants send forms to:
International Center
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000 USA
(626) 812-3055
Fax (626) 815-3801
ies@apu.edu

International Graduate Admissions

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. CIS and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively). To apply to be a graduate student at APU, please submit the following in addition to program specific requirements:

1. Application for International Graduate Admission
2. $65 nonrefundable application fee
3. Affidavit of Financial Support (included in application form) and bank statement* proving ability to pay for educational costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources
4. Certified English proficiency (See TOEFL Requirements.)
5. Letters of recommendation
6. Letter of intent (statement of educational and professional goals)
7. Résumé
8. Official transcripts sent directly from the previous school(s) attended to APU (Transcripts must be translated officially into English and include the degrees earned by the student. Both English and original language transcripts must be submitted.)
9. One photo

*One year’s tuition may be required in advance prior to issuing the United States immigration document.

To be considered for graduate admission, the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited, officially recognized university with a minimum grade-point average (GPA) equivalent of 3.0. Applicants with a GPA of 2.75-2.9 may be considered for provisional admission.

In addition, all international applicants are expected to read and comply with the policies listed in the Graduate Catalog.

International applicants must submit all application materials and direct all questions to:

International Center
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000 USA
(626) 812-3055
Fax: (626) 815-3801
Email: ies@apu.edu
www.apu.edu/international

Residency Requirement

To be considered in residence, a student must be enrolled in at least one Azusa Pacific University course. This includes any course taken online or at an APU regional center.

English Proficiency Requirements

All students graduating from non-English speaking institutions and applying for university graduate admission, with the exception of APU-approved bilingual programs, must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score sent by ETS. The university minimum required score for graduate study is 550 (213 for the computer-based test). The minimum required score may be higher for a specific graduate program. Please see the applicable program information for its minimum TOEFL score requirements.

An Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) score can also be used as a verification of English proficiency. Please contact ISS for specific scoring requirements.

An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score can be used as a verification of English proficiency. For regular admission, a minimum score of seven (7) is required.

Applicants studying full time and earning 48 units (not including ESL units) in an English-speaking university immediately prior to applying to APU may be eligible to waive the TOEFL requirements. Verification of English as the language of instruction will be required.

In addition, students must enroll in TESL 500 English for International Students during their first term at APU regardless of TOEFL score. During the first class session, an opportunity will be given to demonstrate proficiency in English. If this is met, the student can waive the class.

A student's ability to speak English well and use clear pronunciation is an important part of a graduate education. It is assumed that a student's spoken English will be at a high enough level to communicate and participate competently in classes. If, while in classes, it is determined that the student's ability to communicate and participate in English is below the necessary standard, a teacher may refer him/her to the department chair who can require him/her to enroll in a noncredit program, at the student's expense. This program will be specifically designed to enable the student to raise his/her English communication ability.

American Language and Culture Institute

Applicants who are not able to take the TOEFL test may apply to APU's American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI). Upon arrival at the ALCI, English testing will be provided to determine the level of English proficiency. Students who pass all the English testing can proceed directly into the university at the next available starting date without studying in the ALCI (provided they have already been accepted to the graduate program at the university). When a student has been placed in or advanced to level six (6) of ALCI, they may take one graduate class concurrent with their intensive English studies.