This fall, Azusa Pacific University is launching an integrated multiple subject teaching credential program for undergraduate liberal studies students. Along with APU’s new general education (GE) program and various program additions and revisions to the School of Education, the integrated multiple subject teaching credential program will allow undergraduate liberal studies majors to earn their teaching credential in just four years. After graduation, students will be able to go directly into the field teaching in any grade from kindergarten to eighth grade.
APU has already implemented this program within the math, allied health, and teaching in special education majors for students looking to teach in those specific subjects. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) encouraged higher education institutions to expand the pipeline of students going into teaching due to a teacher shortage in the state. With a $500,000 grant from the state, APU responded by creating an updated curriculum that reduces the required liberal arts units from 84 to 67. “The liberal studies major began in 1975 and has not had significant updates in the past 50 years because we have had excellent results from it,” said Catherine Hahs Brinkley ’00, EdD, chair of the Department of Teacher Education. “With the credential requiring 24 units, we have embedded teacher performance expectations for the state in courses.”
Other universities have implemented similar credentialing programs, but APU’s curriculum is the most current and relevant for CTC standards. “We want students to enjoy their college experience while being successful in the classroom,” Hahs Brinkley said. “This helps our honors humanities majors, student athletes, and student employees balance their workload while graduating on time.” APU is one of only two institutions in California that are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This national accreditation allows graduates of the program to transfer their teaching credential to any state.
The program introduces seven brand new classes that are responsive to the current educational climate through dynamic and relevant curriculums. These classes include:
- EDLS 210: Learning from A to Z: Launching Your Journey in Education
- EDLS 260: Shapes, Stats, and Stories: Unveiling God's Design in Mathematics
- EDLS 310: Mind Matters: Exploring the Science of Learning
- EDLS 315: Building Future Scientists: Foundations of Physical Science for Children
- EDLS 360: AEIOU: Principles of Inclusive Education
- EDLS 420 Fostering Creativity: Unlocking the Arts for Children
- EDLS 465: Once Upon a Page: Connecting Children’s Literature and Literacy
The School of Education continues to put students’ interests first throughout the program. “This program really speaks to the School of Education being forward thinking and prioritizing looking at how we can best help our students by making programs that truly benefit them,” Hahs Brinkley said. “We want to help our students get to where they want to be in their education with less cost so that they can start their journey of being difference makers who bring light to school campuses.”
Students enrolling in the program will also have the opportunity to apply for specialized scholarships. The School of Education will make $100,000 in scholarships available to students in the program. The scholarship application will be available on Scholarship Universe in the coming months.