Prepare to Teach Elementary and Middle School with a Multiple Subject Credential

A growing shortage of teachers in California means qualified educators are greatly needed. Azusa Pacific University’s School of Education will prepare you to make a lasting difference as a creative, collaborative professional and dedicated advocate for every student. The multiple subject credential program offers streamlined preparation for teaching positions at the elementary and middle school levels (K–8). By combining comprehensive methods courses with practical classroom application and clinical practice, this teacher preparation program enables you to serve the unique academic needs of students from diverse backgrounds.

Choose this teaching credential program if you want to:

  • Teach all subjects in a self-contained classroom
  • Teach in an elementary school
  • Teach core subject blocks (two or more subjects) in a middle school
Which Teaching Credential is Right for Me?

If you want to be a teacher, it’s helpful to know which credential best fits your teaching goals and the kinds of students you wish to work with. For help deciding, read more about each type of teaching credential.

Program Highlights

  • Apply a Christian worldview to the professional calling and commitment of educators.
  • Earn your credential from an educator preparation program known for graduating highly qualified teachers.
  • Make valuable connections among peers and through many opportunities for direct application of practice.
  • Learn from notable faculty in a collaborative context that models inclusion and community-building.
Deciding Between Student Teaching and an Intern Credential

In California, students enrolled in teacher preparation programs can choose to pursue an Intern Credential or earn their credential through student teaching. These two pathways come with different expectations and requirements. Here’s what you need to know about the differences between student teaching versus an Intern Credential.

School of Education Accreditation

Azusa Pacific University receives accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). In addition, the School of Education receives accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), which is transitioning to the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), making APU one of only three private schools in California with this distinction. Further, our credential programs are accredited by California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Our Educational Psychology program is also accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). These notable accreditations set APU graduates apart from other candidates and ensure that your degree will be recognized throughout the United States and internationally.

University Reputation

U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2023 edition named Azusa Pacific to its list of top national universities and several other significant lists, including First-Year Experiences and Top Performers on Social Mobility. The Princeton Review designated APU as 1 of 126 institutions in the “Best Western Colleges” section of its 2023 Best Colleges guide. APU’s School of Nursing was named a top nursing school in California for 2023 by College Factual and Niche. APU was included as a top-100 degree producer by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Azusa Pacific is also a Military Friendly School and Yellow Ribbon University, serving more than 500 military-connected students and families, and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an R2 Doctoral Research University.

Note: This information is current for the 2022-23 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Please refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.