Azusa Pacific University’s School of Education is launching a Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) program in Spring 2027, specifically tailored for full-time working professionals. This innovative program provides tremendous value to students as they can complete all 30 units in just one year, saving time and money compared to traditional MAEd programs, which typically require 2-3 years to complete. This stand-alone degree is specifically designed for K-12 educators who have already earned their teaching credential, as well as for instructors, collegiate coaches, and other industry professionals who want to further their expertise, advance in their careers, and earn pay increases.
The Hybrid Delivery Model
Students in the MAEd program will complete 30 units made up of eight classes and a traditional master’s thesis course in five, eight-week terms across one academic year. “It’s a fast-paced program, and our curriculum goes deep to make sure students have the skills needed to make a difference in their specific areas of influence,” said Catherine Hahs Brinkley, EdD, associate dean of the School of Education and chair of the Department of Teacher Education. “We’re covering relevant topics in education by looking at artificial intelligence (AI), inclusive education, effective leadership, and how to conduct research through the traditional MA thesis.”
The MAEd program is a hybrid model that features online asynchronous classes, online synchronous support, and community-building events accompanied by two in-person residency days.
- Residencies: Two residency days at the beginning and end of the program allow students to build community with their peers and professors.
- Online Asynchronous Classes: The asynchronous nature of the program’s courses allows students to prioritize their education in a way that works with their professional life and schedule, completing coursework on their own time.
- Online Synchronous Support and Events: Faculty will be available to support students through designated office hours. Faculty will also host online workshops and pop-up events to build community between peers and connect with students to help them achieve their goals in a personalized way.
“Our students have asked for a program where they can get to know the cohort members they’re studying alongside,” Hahs Brinkley said. “Now, we’ve created a program where students can network with other professionals, have a sense of community where they can put faces to names of those they’re working with online, and connect with their professors in meaningful ways.”
Key Differentiators
- APU aims to provide an “executive” experience for educators through professional development and residencies modeled after high-level professional networking events.
- APU intends to cultivate strategic visionaries in the program. “We believe teaching is a high-level discipline,” Hahs Brinkley said. “We provide the strategy to make it world-changing.”
- The program emphasizes APU’s tradition of serving the community and encourages students to bring a values-driven perspective to their instructional choices, ensuring that their methods reflect a commitment to personal growth and learner growth.
- In alignment with APU’s God First motto, the program approaches excellence in education as a form of service to a higher calling and integrates a Christian worldview into the curriculum in a way that invites students to interact with faith and lead with integrity in diverse educational settings.
Offering New Options for Evolving Needs of Students
Based on feedback from current and prospective students who desire connection with their peers, beginning in the Fall 2026 semester, APU’s School of Education will deliver an elevated, connection-focused student experience by offering new hybrid, low-residency modalities for three programs where students can do the majority of their work online while also having opportunities to build their professional networks in person.
- The Master’s in College Counseling and Student Development (MS) program will combine synchronous online coursework with four in-person residency days at the Azusa campus to cultivate professional networks and peer connections. This will expand its accessibility across state lines to meet the needs of students nationwide who require this specialized expertise.
- The Master’s in Education with an Embedded Single- or Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential (MAEd) program will expand its hybrid option—blending synchronous and asynchronous classes with a low-residency component—across APU’s Murrieta, Orange County, High Desert, Inland Empire, and San Diego campuses, while granting students the flexibility to change learning modalities each term.
- The Master’s in Educational Counseling with an Embedded School Counseling Credential (MAEd) is launching a hybrid format each spring at the Murrieta, Orange County, High Desert, Inland Empire, and San Diego campuses, offering three residency days at the Azusa campus.
The Power of Connection
The online component of each program allows students to engage with their peers and professors online in a live, vibrant classroom environment. It provides opportunities for engaging conversations and debates, brainstorming, and collaborative problem-solving. Students can easily connect with their professors for immediate feedback and answers through direct dialogue. The residency days provide face-to-face moments to solidify bonds students build online and to create a community of learners and leaders. “Half of the teachers in California are expected to retire within the next 10 years,” Hahs Brinkley said. “All of our hybrid programs are designed to remove boundaries so that everyone can have access to quality education that fits into their lifestyle while still benefiting from connection and community components, and to be responsive to the needs of employers ranging from teachers to college counselors within California and across the nation.”