Skip to Content

Overview

APU's Moderate to Severe Disabilities (K-12) Specialist (Preliminary) Credential, Track B suits candidates with current full-time teaching contracts. Candidates must see an advisor for proper placement in tracks with this credential program.

The current shortage of special education teachers creates a growing demand for educators with this credential. This program prepares teacher candidates for 21st century teaching and learning. As APU candidates prepare to work in schools as teachers, the Department of Special Education assesses candidates from admission through recommendation of credentials in these credential standards. As a result, APU candidates are highly sought after because they fulfill these professional standards.

Benefits and Distinctives

  • Flexible program schedules allow students to take classes just one night a week while earning their credential.
  • Expert faculty offer quality instruction grounded in a Christian worldview, creating a relevant program that enables students to make a difference in their classrooms.
  • Small class sizes create a rich learning community as students progress through the program with a cohort of peers.

Learn more about the program coursework and our faculty.

School of Education Accreditation

Azusa Pacific University receives accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In addition, the School of Education receives accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), making APU one of only three private schools in California with this distinction. Further, our credential programs are accredited by California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). These notable accreditations set APU graduates apart from other candidates and ensure your degree will be recognized throughout the United States and internationally.

University Reputation

Azusa Pacific University held its place for the second year in the most prestigious category of the U.S.News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2009, ranking in the third tier of the national category. Additionally, for the first time, APU ranked ninth among the best up-and-coming national universities. Previously, APU was ranked in the top 25 schools within the Western Universities-Master’s category, enjoying prominent placement and recognition for outstanding first-year and service-learning programs.

According to Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine, APU ranked number 6 in the nation in awarding the most master’s degrees to Hispanics. In addition, The Princeton Review included APU as 1 of 120 colleges in the 2009 Best in the West category.

Note: This information is current for the 2009-10 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. To view 2010-11 program information, please refer to the Academic Catalogs page. For additional information, please contact the appropriate office.