Single-Subject Teaching Credential, Track A
and Master of Arts in Education: Teaching

Admission Requirements

General Admission Requirements

General Application Requirements for all Credential Programs

Complete details regarding admission and specific program requirements, advising, and general information about APU’s Special Education Credential Programs are discussed at information meetings. Each program has specific requirements listed within its description. Prospective candidates should expect to participate in a group or individual interview that focuses on dispositions, skills, and attitudes for teaching. These are considered during the admission process and at selected transition points within each program. Candidates must be advised as part of an admissions interview by a designated special education faculty member prior to enrollment in the program.

Application Requirements

University graduate admission and program acceptance requirements must be met before an application is complete (See the “Graduate Admission to the University” section of this catalog).

Candidates must be advised as part of an admissions interview by a designated special education faculty member prior to enrollment in the program. This occurs after the admissions application has been completed and reviewed by the Credential Analysts’ Office for any missing program required documentation. Candidates will be notified by the department when an interview appointment can be made.

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

1. Completed Application for Graduate Admission
2. A $45 nonrefundable application fee
3. Two copies of 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. An official transcript is one which Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and which bears the official seal of the college or university. Minimum baccalaureate or master's grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0-scale. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a grade-point average between 2.5 and 2.9 if competency can be shown using multiple measures.)
4. Three recommendation forms that assess competence and character (Appropriate recommendations include those who have supervised the applicant's leadership and/or teaching experience with children/youth in public or private settings, an employer who directly supervised the applicant or one faculty/academic reference. References from neighbors, friends, and relatives are not appropriate unless they have served as supervisors. Please use the required forms provided in the Application for Graduate Admission; additional letters are optional.)
5. A one- to two-page Letter to the Dean addressing the following topics: experiences from the applicant's background that may enhance the teaching experience; the most rewarding and challenging aspects of working with children; why the applicant wants to teach; preferred grade level and content areas and why; special interests, hobbies, or abilities; extracurricular activities; and previous residence or travel experiences (Written communication skills will be assessed along with the content.)
6. Résumé (preferred) or statement of experience, including most relevant work and volunteer experience
7. Proof of Certificate of Clearance (Submit photocopy of the most current Pre-Intern Credential, Emergency Permit, or Certificate of Clearance [fingerprint check for CTC] application to the Graduate Center. For more information, please contact credential analyst Wendy Ramsey at (626) 815-5455 [wramsey@apu.edu]. Current Pre-Intern Permit or Emergency Permit also meets this requirement.)
8. Proof of successful passage of the CBEST or proof of paid registration for the next CBEST (Proof of the successful completion must be submitted no later than the date of Application for Student Teaching/Intern Teaching.)
9. The program admits only those candidates who meet one of the following criteria.
   Reference: Education Code Section 44227(a).*
   
   • The candidate provides evidence of having passed the appropriate subject-matter examination(s) - e.g., CSET/SSAT/PRAXIS
   • The candidate provides evidence of having attempted the appropriate subject-matter examination(s) - e.g., CSET/SSAT/PRAXIS.
   • The candidate provides evidence of registration for the next scheduled examination - e.g., CSET/SSAT/PRAXIS.
   • The candidate provides evidence of having completed a CTC-approved subject-matter preparation program.
   • The candidate provides evidence of continuous progress toward meeting the CTC-approved subject-matter requirement.
   • The candidate provides evidence of enrollment in an organized subject-matter examination preparation program.
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 in the Graduate Center, the Department of Teacher Education reviews the file and will notify you by mail or phone to schedule an admission interview. Plan to come dressed professionally and prepared to be interviewed before admission will be granted. In addition to the previously mentioned requirements, the following characteristics also are considered:

• Evidence of good character and personality attributes and attitudes that are appropriate to professional service
• Good mental and physical health

Students admitted with Provisional Program Acceptance must complete the first 12 units with a B or better in each course to remain eligible for continued enrollment at the university.)

The department reserves the right to change the admission process and requirements.

All materials should be sent to:

Graduate Center
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
(626) 815-4570
Fax: (626) 815-4571
graduatecenter@apu.edu
www.apu.edu/graduatecenter

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.

Mandatory Meeting

All candidates are required to attend a mandatory informational meeting. For more information on the many meeting locations, or to register for a meeting, call (626) 815-5376.

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.