This spring, Azusa Pacific University launched a groundbreaking early childhood education bachelor’s completion degree. The program offers students who have earned an associate’s degree in childhood development an accelerated pathway where they can transfer in 60 units with 24 units in early childhood credit, allowing them to earn their bachelor’s degree and PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction teaching credential within two years. APU’s program is the first of its kind in California and launches at a critical time to meet the urgent need for qualified early childhood educators in California.
“It is a privilege to help meet the needs of young children and their families within our Southern California communities through this program,” said Stacy Kula, PhD, dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. “To offer a California teaching credential in early childhood education alongside the bachelor's completion program improves access and reduces costs for the many early childhood educators we know and love in our communities. The heart of our program is focused on the importance of play, diversity, and foundational math and literacy skills, delivered via live online instruction alongside key residency experiences for hands-on training that brings learning to life! This innovative curriculum is combined with direct mentorship and wraparound support for students to ensure that every candidate emerges as a committed professional, ready to lead their own classroom.”
Recent policy changes in California, such as the expansion of transitional kindergarten (TK) and the introduction of universal preschool initiatives, have created a significant demand for qualified early childhood educators. Many districts are struggling to find adequately trained early childhood educators, particularly those with specialized credentials in PK-3 education. According to the Learning Policy Institute, California will need an estimated 11,900 to 15,600 additional TK teachers by 2025-26. In response, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) developed the PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential. With the approval of the PK-3 ECE Specialist Teaching Credential, school districts are eager to provide universally available preschool classes on their elementary campuses as part of a free public education system. This creates a growing demand for qualified teachers who are equipped to teach preschool students. Graduates of APU’s BA in Early Childhood and PK-3 Credential program will be well-positioned to fulfill the emerging needs of local school districts for preschool and lower elementary classrooms.
“This program is a game changer for students looking to become PK-3 teachers at a time of high need in our state,” said Catherine Hahs Brinkley, EdD, chair and assistant professor in the Department of Teacher Education. “We’re thrilled to welcome our first cohort and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll have as educators.”
APU’s early childhood education program will offer live online classes at night, designed with flexibility to fit the schedules of working adults. Students can choose to start in the fall, spring, or summer terms, offering accessible entry for all. However, unlike similar programs offered at other universities, APU students will come together on campus for two residencies a year, one each semester to build community and receive support from faculty and staff.
“What sets APU apart is our close knit community. We truly get to know our students and show them how much we care for them,” Hahs Brinkley said. “We want our students to know that we’re there to support them throughout their time at APU and after they graduate, from providing job recommendations to connections with educational leaders across Southern California.”
APU’s early childhood education program will prepare educators and leaders to be effective champions for students in diverse settings. Recognized for its teacher preparation excellence, APU provides rigorous coursework taught by experienced faculty, with hands-on learning opportunities to ensure graduates will excel in early childhood classrooms. Students will be ready to be hired as soon as they graduate with their credentials in hand, with 95 percent of graduates from the School of Education reporting being employed in their field within the first year following graduation. APU is the only California school of education with national accreditation from CAEP.