Pathways to Become a Teacher
Azusa Pacific offers multiple pathways to earn your teaching credential. Find the one right for you! To begin, do you have a bachelor’s degree?
Start here if you already have a bachelor’s degree.
Pathway 1
Earn your master’s degree in education with an embedded teaching credential in 1½ to 2 years.
Choose this pathway if you:
- Want depth and breadth of training in your emphasis area: Teaching, Learning and Technology, Special Education, or Physical Education.
- Would benefit from the expanded knowledge base you’ll gain from master’s-level studies.
- May be able to earn a higher wage or further your career with a graduate degree.
APU’s School of Education offers an array of combined master’s degree and credential programs for those who want to teach at the elementary, middle, or secondary level or in special education. Obtain your degree and credential together in a comprehensive educational package, and select an area of emphasis that offers advanced learning, strategies, and context for teachers.
Nine program combinations are available, depending on the type of teaching credential and emphasis you would like to pursue. Find your program and get started today!
Elementary and Middle Schools (K-8)
Special Education
- MAEd in Learning and Technology and Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Credential
- MAEd in Special Education and Mild to Moderate Support Needs Education Specialist Credential
- MAEd in Learning and Technology and Extensive Support Needs Education Specialist Credential
- MAEd in Special Education and Extensive Support Needs Education Specialist Credential
Physical Education (K-12)
Pathway 2
Earn your standalone teaching credential in 1 to 1½ years.
Choose this pathway if you:
- Only need a credential for your current career goals in education.
- Want a thorough but accelerated credential experience that blends foundational learning, specialization courses, and clinical practice.
Credential-only programs at APU provide streamlined preparation for positions in elementary teaching, middle or secondary teaching, and special education. A fast-track option is available for well-qualified candidates, enabling program completion in just one year. Contact the Division of Teacher Education to learn more.
Explore the four teaching credential types below, and start your journey to becoming a teacher!
- Multiple Subject Teaching — Teach in elementary and middle schools (K-8)
- Single Subject Teaching — Teach in middle and high schools (7-12)
- Mild to Moderate Support Needs — Teach students who have a specific learning disability or need additional supports in school
- Extensive Support Needs — Teach students with significant learning needs
Which credential is right for me?
Read more about the types of teaching credentials APU offers.
Cultivating Educators Who Make a Difference
When it comes to the students in her school and the surrounding community, Tiffany (Porter ’06) Moore has a vision—one where access to college is a given and all students can achieve their education dreams.
Our children deserve the best, and they deserve educators who are willing to go above and beyond to ensure that they are achieving at high levels and are set up for success in the future.Tiffany (Porter ’06) Moore
Start here if you do not yet have a bachelor’s degree.
Pathway 1
Earn your bachelor’s degree and teaching credential in 4 years.
Choose this pathway if you:
- Want to be qualified for teaching positions immediately after graduation.
- Know you want to teach science or math in middle school or high school, or special education.
APU’s Integrated Bachelor’s and Teaching Credential Program is an accelerated program that allows you to earn both a bachelor’s degree and preliminary California teaching credential in four years. If you select this pathway, you will apply for admission to the credential portion of the program in your junior year.
Offering rigorous, comprehensive training for prospective teachers, the integrated credential option is available in the following majors. Choose the one that’s right for you and apply today!
Future middle or secondary school teachers
Future special education teachers
Pathway 2
Earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees, plus a teaching credential, in 5½ years.
Choose this pathway if you:
- Would like the option to select from any undergraduate major for your bachelor’s degree.
- Are interested in teaching elementary, middle, secondary, or special education.
- Want to begin your teaching career with advanced knowledge gained through a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in Teaching, Learning and Technology, or Special Education.
Complete your undergraduate and graduate degree in 5½ years and enter the field equipped to positively shape lives in the classroom. This option is available for any undergraduate major at Azusa Pacific University, whether you want to teach in elementary, middle, or secondary school, or in special education. Complete a bachelor’s degree in your chosen major and apply toward the end of senior year for graduate admission to the School of Education to earn a Master of Arts in Education with a teaching credential embedded.
Approved subject-matter programs
To start coursework toward your preliminary California teaching credential, you will need to demonstrate subject matter competence. This can be accomplished through a number of pathways. Information on these pathways can be found on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website.
APU offers several subject-matter programs approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for candidates completing their bachelor’s degrees. Meet the subject-matter requirement by choosing from these programs—select one now to learn more about the major!
- Mathematics Approved Subject-Matter Program (Mathematics Major, Secondary Math Education Track)
- Music Approved Subject-Matter Program (Music Education Major)
- Social Science Approved Subject-Matter Program (Social Science Major)