About the Program
Program Details
Azusa Pacific University’s 2042 Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential Program prepares teachers for positions at the elementary and middle school levels (K–8). The program, approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and National Countil for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), is comprised of specific methods courses which are accompanied by practical classroom-application field experiences in both primary and upper-elementary school assignments.
All coursework and instruction is delivered from a distinctly Christian perspective, instilling in each candidate a strong foundation of ethics, compassion, and teaching competency. Individualized attention is emphasized throughout the program giving candidates the invaluable advantage of a personalized education. For undergraduate candidates in pre-professional education courses, service learning is a primary focus with candidates participating in local school districts.
Upon completion, the credential candidate will have earned both a Preliminary Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential and a Master of Arts in Education: Teaching, with the credential issued first.
Do you have a full-time teaching position and subject matter competence (CSET)? If so, read about our Track B Program.
Program Format
With program requirements and class times tailored to the working adult, APU's School of Education programs fit your schedule.
- Classes meet one night a week for nine weeks.
- Each class lasts approximately four hours.
- Students should not take more than two courses (6 units) per term.
- It takes most working individuals 12–18 months to finish the program, depending on requirements.
- Six-week summer sessions are available.
Professional Development School Credential Program
APU’s Professional Development School (PDS) Credential Program offers teacher candidates an alternative format in which to earn their multiple-subject teaching credential. Conducted entirely at Hodge Elementary School in Azusa, the program represents a vital partnership between APU and the Azusa Unified School District.
The one-year PDS Program differs from most traditional teacher training programs in that participating students progress through the program in a supportive cohort structure as they are immersed in the Hodge Elementary School community. Teacher candidates in the PDS Program appreciate a firsthand view of before-the-start-of-school planning and preparation, and end of a school year achievements and assessments, not to mention everything else that takes place from September to June.
By completing all their fieldwork, coursework, and student teaching requirements onsite in one school setting, students not only gain invaluable inside knowledge of school programs and procedures, but also become part of the school culture. Fieldwork and student teaching experiences relate directly to the credential coursework. These clinical assignments provide teacher candidates opportunities to build a link between theory and practice and demonstrate their grasp of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to fulfill the requirements to earn a teaching credential.
Beginning Fall 2010, the Professional Development School Credential Program will also be offered in San Diego. For more information, contact Program Director Ivy Yee-Sakamoto, Ph.D., at (626) 387-5715 or iyeesakamoto@apu.edu.
Our Students
Aspiring and veteran educators from a variety of backgrounds pursue their graduate degree at APU. Most are adult students seeking to enhance their professional development, while others enter the program as a step toward a career change. Our student population comprises approximately 60 percent women and 40 percent men. Small class sizes increase opportunity for individual attention from expert faculty, making the education experience both relevant and personal.
