professor guiding students during a class activity

Teaching, MAEd, and Single Subject Teaching Credential

Embrace your higher calling as an educator and earn your Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) degree in teaching with an embedded Single Subject Teaching Credential at Azusa Pacific University.

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Why Pursue Your MA in Education at APU?

Our program builds instructional creativity, strong classroom leadership, and a dedication to student growth, so you can teach and inspire learning in middle and high school classrooms (grades 7–12).

Throughout our two-year master’s in education program, you benefit from:

  • An integrated licensure pathway that blends graduate-level study with California Single Subject Teaching Credential requirements.
  • Diverse real-world experiences across classroom settings to strengthen instructional and classroom management skills.
  • Faculty mentorship from experienced educators who guide professional growth and reflective practice.
  • Meaningful career preparation rooted in Christian values, compassion, and service.

Program at a Glance

Join a community of educators committed to nurturing student success. APU’s MA in Education: Teaching program, housed in the School of Education, delivers accredited programs that align with California teaching standards and uphold a Christ-centered approach.

Upcoming Events

  • Thursday, February 12, 6-7:30 p.m.

Application Deadline

  • Apply anytime! We accept and review applications on an ongoing basis and fill seats as they open each term.
  • Start times are available throughout the year—fall, spring, and summer.

Apply Now

Program Information

  • Program Units: 45
  • Program Length: 2 years
  • Cost per Unit: $675
  • Base Cost: $30,375

Locations

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Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly School

Teacher and a student

What You”ll Learn

Strengthen your skills in connecting with, inspiring, and empowering students with an MAEd in Teaching degree. Rooted in a Christian framework, our graduate program equips you to lead with purpose and competence in 7th through 12th-grade classrooms.

Over the course of the 45-unit curriculum, you become proficient in:

  • Designing and delivering effective instruction using research-based pedagogy and instructional design strategies.
  • Supporting learners of all backgrounds and abilities through strategic and inclusive teaching practices.
  • Assessing student learning with data-informed, developmentally appropriate evaluation methods.
  • Creating engaging and supportive learning environments through strong classroom management and instructional leadership skills.
  • Applying various pedagogical theories through in-class practice and real-world experience in middle and high school settings.

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MAEd Single Subject Credential Program Details

Built for aspiring secondary educators, the Master of Arts in Education and Single Subject Teaching Credential program covers a variety of educational methods, as well as specialization classes that deepen your expertise in a single subject. You also gain practical experience by participating in a supervised student-teaching placement.

These required coursework and classroom experience create a streamlined path to a California teaching license and support credential preparation in:

  • Art
  • Business
  • English language arts
  • Mathematics
  • Music
  • Physical education
  • Science
  • Social science
  • World languages

Informational Meetings

Attend an informational meeting to learn more about admission requirements, academic advising, and program expectations, and gain clarity before submitting your application.

To find upcoming meeting dates, locations, or registration details, visit the School of Education’s information meeting calendar or call (626) 815-5376.

Admission Requirements

Apply to APU to fast-track your preparation and position yourself for success in the classroom as a middle or high school teacher. 

When applying to the master’s degree in education program, you must submit:

  • Graduate application for admission
  • $45 nonrefundable application fee
  • Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study
    • An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university.
    • A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
  • Two letters of recommendation that assess your competence and character
    • Appropriate recommendations include those who have supervised your leadership or teaching experience with children/youth in public or private settings, an employer who directly supervised you, or one faculty/academic reference (references from neighbors, friends, and relatives are not appropriate unless they have served as supervisors;additional letters are optional)
  • Résumé (preferred) or statement of experience, including your most relevant work and volunteer experience
  • 1-2-page personal statement addressing:
    • Experiences from your background that enhance your teaching practice
    • The most rewarding and challenging aspects of working with youth
    • Your motivation for pursuing a career in teaching
    • Preferred grade level and content areas, and why
    • How you plan to support the success of all students and contribute to the teaching profession
  • Proof of Certificate of Clearance (COC)
    • Applicants for summer or fall Terms must have a COC valid through January 31, and applicants for the spring Term must have a COC valid through June 30 (view instructions on Obtaining a Certificate of Clearance (PDF). Applicants are encouraged to begin this step as soon as possible to allow time for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to process your information)
  • Proof that the Basic Skills Requirement has been satisfied
  • Proof of subject matter preparation or proof of paid registration for the next appropriate California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) administration  (view teacher test preparation resources)

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

Next Steps

After all admission materials have been received, the faculty or department chair reviews your application and issues a written admission decision approximately.

International Admission Requirements

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 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).

Along with meeting the standard admission requirements for the master’s in education program, if you are an international applicant you must also:

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

MA in Education Program Tuition

Description Cost
Education master’s degree, credential, authorization, and certificate programs (except School Counseling and School Psychology programs) (per unit) $675
Audit (per unit) half-price tuition
Base Cost $30,375*

Note: This information is current for the 2025-26 academic year, but all stated academic information is subject to change.

*Base Cost (cost per unit x program units) is provided to aid in program comparison only.

Review APU’s graduate cost of attendance information to estimate the total amount of your MAEd in Teaching degree.

Financial Aid

At APU, we offer a broad range of financial aid options, including federal loans, state grants, fellowships, and scholarships, as well as comprehensive support from our admissions advisors. With their guidance and access to helpful resources, you can invest in your MA in Education: Teaching degree with confidence. 

APU also provides information on numerous financial aid opportunities for prospective students in the School of Education. Discover more available scholarships.

For more information, contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military and Veterans Benefits

If you are a veteran, serve in the military, or qualify as a spouse or dependent—you may access financial assistance that helps cover the cost of  tuition, housing, and books. As a Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly School, APU offers the support and flexibility needed to help you complete your master’s degree in teaching.

APU Alumni Tuition Scholarships

If you’re an APU alum, you may qualify for the School of Education’s alumni tuition discount.

To qualify, you must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 and be enrolled at least half-time. APU doctoral alumni are not eligible for the School of Education alumni discount.

If you meet the qualifications, your discount may be renewed each term. APU will pay $500 per term (up to $2,000 over the course of the program). This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid , such as School of Education scholarships. If you qualify for both, you may choose to receive either the alumni discount or an APU scholarship.

If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.

Additional Program Contacts

  • Jessica Cannaday, EdD, program director, Single Subject Teaching Credential, [email protected], (626) 815-5598
  • Stacy Kula, PhD, faculty coordinator, MAEd in Teaching, [email protected], (626) 815-5363

Phone

(626) 815-6018

Email

[email protected]

Fax

(626) 815-5416

Mail

Department of Teacher Education
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000

 

Student Services Center

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (626) 812-3016

For details on the admissions process, financial aid, and class registration, visit apu.edu/ssc.

International Services

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (626) 812-3055

Visit apu.edu/international/.

By the Numbers

1 of 2 APU is one of only two universities in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities to be classified as an R2 Research University.
#1 APU was ranked as the top Christian college in California in The Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S.
10 :1 Student-to-faculty ratio

Outlook and Outcomes for 7-12th Grade Teachers

In today’s rapidly changing educational environment, we need adaptable teachers who bring passion, creativity, and expertise to their classrooms. APU’s MA in Education: Teaching prepares leaders in student-centered learning and empowers them to make a lasting impact in secondary education.

 

Featured Faculty

At Azusa Pacific University, you learn from the best. Our Department of Teacher Education faculty share their decades of experience and expertise with you, inspiring your growth as an educator.

Catherine Hahs Brinkley

Catherine Hahs Brinkley

Chair and Assistant Professor, Department of Teacher Education; Program Director, Liberal Studies/Undergraduate Education, K-8

HeeKap Lee

HeeKap Lee

Faculty Coordinator, MAED in Teaching; Professor, Department of Teacher Education

Richard Barsh

Richard Barsh

Associate Professor, Department of Teacher Education

Teacher and student in classroom

The Golden State Teacher Grant: An Overview and APU’s Connection

APU is proud to be a recipient of the Golden State Teacher Grant, helping prospective California teachers to fund their education in pursuit of a teaching credential.

Become a Change Maker at APU

With your Master of Arts in Education: Teaching and Single Subject Teaching Credential, you graduate ready to guide students’ intellectual growth, respond to real classroom challenges, and make a difference in secondary education.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can earn your master’s degree in three semesters and one summer session, or about two years.
You may take a maximum of 8 units per eight-week term, which includes a maximum of two methods or education classes and their corequisite field experiences (if applicable).

At Azusa Pacific, each term consists of two sessions (Fall I and Fall II, Spring I and Spring II), each eight weeks in length. The 16-week student teaching semester covers Fall I and II or Spring I and II.

For more information, please review our academic calendar.

Each class requires you to meet for approximately five hours once a week.
Since most of our students are working professionals with busy schedules and family lives, we keep the MAEd program flexible. That means you have to attend class only one night a week for eight weeks.
Yes, APU’s MA in Education: Teaching requires a Capstone seminar that integrates your teaching credential and master’s coursework into a research project and a professional ePortfolio. Your capstone project showcases your teaching philosophy, scholarly work, and classroom practice, while also deepening your understanding of the relationship between schools and the communities they serve.
Note: This information is current for the 2025-26 academic year, but all stated academic information is subject to change. Refer to the current academic catalog for more information.
 
*Base Cost (cost per unit x program units) is provided to aid in program comparison only. All stated financial information is subject to change. View Tuition tab above.

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