Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Credential
Build the pedagogical skills to support learners with diverse needs throughout their academic journey.
Why Earn Your Special Education Credential at APU?
Make your mark as an educator by earning your Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Credential at Azusa Pacific University. Our two-year, cohort-based program prepares you to skillfully and compassionately guide students with special learning, cognitive, and behavioral needs through every stage of their academic journey.
As a student in APU’s School of Education, you have plenty of opportunities to:
- challenge your academic and spiritual growth with coursework grounded in a Christian worldview;
- learn from experienced faculty leaders who share their real-world expertise and a deep understanding of inclusive teaching practices;
- create a long-lasting community with other educators, cultivating collaboration, accountability, and a Christ-centered purpose; and
- gain classroom experience through supervised fieldwork in K-12 school settings, developing confidence and practical teaching skills.
Program at a Glance
Upcoming Events
Virtual Information Session- Wednesday, March 11, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 8, 4-6 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.
Program Information
- Program Units: 39
- Cost per Unit: $675
- Base Cost: $26,325*
Location
- Azusa (Main Campus)
- High Desert
- Murrieta
- Orange County
What You’ll Learn
Gain the skills, teaching expertise, and classroom experience necessary to serve students with needs across a range of learning, cognitive, behavioral, and physical differences. Our curriculum prepares you to help children from transitional kindergarten through grade 12, integrating effective instruction, assessment, and advocacy in specialized settings.
Blending theory and practice, our program empowers you to
- apply your expertise in pedagogy, developmental stages, and strategies in reading, writing, and mathematics instruction to boost overall literacy;
- use data-driven assessment techniques and create individualized education programs (IEPs) to promote students’ academic and behavioral success;
- serve multilingual learners and strengthen their literacy development through inclusive, research-informed instructional practices;
- perform functional behavior analysis and use evidence-based intervention strategies to support self-management and build collaborative relationships with students and families; and
- navigate educational structures, policies, and collaborative practices that shape today’s schools.
Get Started
Program Details
APU’s graduate-level program charts a clear-cut pathway to earning your California Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Preliminary Credential. Through a rigorous curriculum and practical classroom experience, you develop the skills needed to support a broad range of learners, implement effective management and teaching strategies, and cultivate trust and connection that lead to academic success.
Informational Meetings
Join us for an information meeting to learn more about program expectations, admission requirements, and academic support, so you can move forward with purpose and confidence.
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
APU’s dedicated admissions team will help you advance toward your special education career.
When applying to the Education Specialist Credential program, you must submit:
- Graduate application for admission
- $45 nonrefundable application fee
- Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding your 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- to 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. 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 competence
Send official transcripts to:
Office of Graduate and Professional AdmissionsAzusa 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.
International Admission Requirements
Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by 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 the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents, respectively).
Along with meeting the standard admission requirements, if you are an international applicant you must also
- demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Review APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more.
Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services; - provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources;
- submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information; and
- get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. Review our policy and a list of approved foreign transcript evaluation agencies.
Send official transcripts to:
Office of Graduate and Professional AdmissionsAzusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]
Mild to Moderate Special Ed Credential Program Tuition
| 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 | $26,325* |
Note: This information is current for the 2026-27 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.
Financial Aid
Discover affordable Christian education at Azusa Pacific University. To lower the cost of your Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Credential program, you have access to a range of financial aid opportunities, including federal loans, state grants, fellowships, and scholarships. Availability varies by program, and a dedicated admissions advisor can help you understand your options and plan with confidence.
APU also provides information on numerous financial aid resources for prospective students in the School of Education. Discover more available scholarship opportunities.
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 Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Credential.
APU Alumni Tuition Discounts
Continue your journey at APU and build on the foundation you’ve already established. APU’s School of Education offers a tuition discount for Azusa Pacific alumni starting a graduate program.
You must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. You must 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.
Contact Your Admissions Representative
Additional Program Contacts
- Angela J. Guta, PhD, Director, Special Education Credential Programs, [email protected], (626) 815-5425
- Julie Magana, Program Coordinator, Special Education Credential Programs, [email protected], (626) 387-5791
Fax
(626) 815-2023
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/.
At APU, we deliver the highest quality education, backed by respected accreditation and academic excellence:
- Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
- The School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), making APU one of only three universities in California with this distinction.
By the Numbers
Career Outlook for Special Education Teachers
Across our nation’s education system, students with diverse learning needs require personalized support to thrive—and educators who believe in their potential and champion them. Earning your Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Credential positions you as an effective educator ready to make a difference.
The Golden State Teacher Grant: An Overview and APU’s Connection
APU is proud to receive an allocation of Golden State Teacher Grant funds, funding education for prospective teachers to prepare them to make a difference in the schools that need them the most.
School of Education Faculty
APU’s Department of Teacher Education faculty invests in you. Inside and outside the classroom, they share their educational leadership experience and serve as your mentors, helping you cultivate your professional growth.
Angela J. Guta
Director, Special Education Credential Programs, and Associate Professor, Department of Teacher Education
Tammy Bachrach
Professor, Department of Teacher Education
Shape the Future of Education
Establish yourself as an education specialist, rooted in confidence, care, and Christ’s love. With your Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Credential from Azusa Pacific University, you gain in-depth knowledge of pedagogical strategies and real-world experience, enabling you to deliver personalized instruction to diverse students.
Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Credential FAQs
At APU, each term has two sessions (Fall I and Fall II, Spring I and Spring II), and each session is 8 weeks long. The 16-week student teaching semester covers Fall I and II or Spring I and II.
For more information, review our academic calendar.