Department of Teacher Education

2042 Multiple- and Single-Subject Credentials

The 2042 Multiple- and Single-Subject Credentials at APU are offered for both multiple- and single-subject teacher candidates. Each program has two credential tracks which run as cohort groups beginning with Module 1 during Fall I or Spring I. However, incoming candidates may begin at any time with advisement by an APU advisor.

Track A is for teacher candidates without full-time teaching employment as well as for those who are teaching without meeting subject-matter competence.

Track B is for teacher candidates with full-time teaching employment 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.

Teacher candidates may submit a Graduate Program Change form (PDF)* to transition from Track A to Track B upon gaining fulltime employment in an appropriate teaching position and meeting subject-matter competence as approved by the Track B program director. This change of credential track must occur by the end of the second term in the program.

Note: See specific program information to learn about eligibility for intern credentials.

Teacher candidates may be eligible to participate in Track B as “teachers of record” in private, WASC-approved schools that meet specific requirements (see program director) if candidates demonstrate subject-matter competence. See program director if teaching at a non-WASC-approved school for additional requirements which can include candidate teaching in public schools.

Teacher candidates in the 2042 Multiple- and Single-Subject Credential programs will receive an “English Learner”authorization through C.L.A.D.-embedded content and program strands, which automatically allows candidates to work with second-language learners.

*The downloadable version of this document is provided in a Portable Document Format (PDF). To learn more about PDFs or to install Adobe Acrobat Reader, follow this link.

Special Education

APU offers a variety of programs in special education. The Department of Special Education offers two credential tracks for a Level I, Mild to Moderate Disabilities Special Education Credential. Level I, Track A is for special education teacher candidates without full-time teaching contracts. Level I, Track B is for special education contracted teacher candidates who are employed full-time in a public or WASC-approved private K-12 schools, in a setting and assignment approved by the special education program director. If desired, candidates may qualify to enter one of the credential/master’s degree combined programs, which work with the same Level I, Track A and Level I, Track B credentials as described above. All special education candidates must participate in supervised field experience and develop an ePortfolio through TaskStream.

Credential courses are combined with selected courses required for a Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Special Education. Master’s degree coursework usually follows completion of credential programs.

After completing a Level I Credential, candidates must proceed to a Professional Level II Educational Specialist Credential by meeting with their advisor and completing an Individualized Induction Plan.

A sixth program offered by the Department of Special Education is a Master of Arts in Education: Special Education, which allows candidates to pursue a master’s degree in special education only without completing a special education credential. In general, candidates in this program have already completed a credential before applying for a master’s degree.