Master of Arts in Education

Graduate Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MA in Education program, applicants must meet APU’s general graduate admission requirements. No teaching credential is required.

Select an option below to learn more:

• Domestic Applicants
• International Applicants

As you prepare to apply to APU, our dedicated admissions team will help you navigate the process. When applying to our master of arts in education program, you must submit the following:

• Graduate application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding your bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, and from all postbaccalaureate study
  • An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university
  • A minimum cumulative 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status (provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures)
• Résumé (preferred) or statement of experience, including your most relevant work and volunteer experience, and detailing a minimum of two years of documented experience in a teaching, instructing, or training role in a K-12 setting, higher education institution, or other relevant educational or training environment
• Two- to three-page essay (in your own words, without the use of AI or other technological assistance, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, one-inch margins) in which you use a tangible object from your work environment—such as a worn-out textbook, a piece of broken lab equipment, or an outdated piece of technology, standardized test, or training manual—as a lens to tell us about your goals as an educator, and addressing the following:
  • Describe how completing this master’s in education program will equip you to solve a problem and make a broader impact in your educational space.

Who Is This Program For?

This program is designed for

• Current teachers who hold a teaching credential and are ready to advance their instructional leadership and practice.
• Higher education instructors, coaches, and industry professionals seeking to deepen their pedagogical expertise and organizational effectiveness.
• Education leaders and practitioners aspiring to earn a salary advancement, secure a promotion, or step into expanded leadership roles.

Master of Arts in Education Tuition

Note: This information is current for the 2026-27 academic year, but all stated academic information is subject to change. 

*Base Cost (cost per unit x program units) is provided to aid in program comparison only.

Review APU’s graduate cost-of-attendance information to estimate the total amount of your MAEd degree.

Financial Aid

Discover affordable Christian education at Azusa Pacific University. To lower the cost of your education graduate program, you have access to a range of financial aid opportunities, including federal loans, state grants, fellowships, and scholarships. Availability varies by program, and a dedicated admissions advisor can help you understand your options and plan with confidence.

APU also provides information on numerous financial aid resources for prospective students in the School of Education. Discover more available scholarship opportunities.

For more information, contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military and Veterans Benefits

If you are a veteran, serve in the military, or qualify as a spouse or dependent, you may access financial assistance that helps cover the cost of tuition, housing, and books. As a Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly School, APU offers the support and flexibility needed to help you complete your master’s degree in education.

APU Alumni Tuition Discounts

Continue your journey at APU and build on the foundation you’ve already established. APU’s School of Education offers a tuition discount for Azusa Pacific alumni starting a graduate program.

You must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. You must be enrolled at least half-time.

If you meet the qualifications, your discount may be renewed each term. APU will pay $500 per term (up to $2,000 over the course of the program). This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid.

Notes on Eligibility: The School of Education’s doctoral program (EdD in Educational Leadership) is not eligible for the alumni tuition discount. APU doctoral alumni are also not eligible for the School of Education alumni discount. Additionally, the alumni discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid, such as School of Education scholarships. If you qualify for both, you may choose to receive either the alumni discount or an APU scholarship.

The MA in Education program is offered in a hybrid, low-residency format featuring select in-person residency days alongside online asynchronous coursework and online synchronous support events.

Program Format

• Online Asynchronous Classes: Complete coursework on your own schedule. The asynchronous nature of the program’s courses allows students to prioritize their education in a way that works with their professional lifestyle.
• Online Synchronous Support Events: Faculty host designated office hours, online workshops, and pop-up community-building events so students can connect with their cohort and professors in a personalized way.
• In-Person Residency Days:
  • Residency 1 (Term 1): Held at the Azusa campus. Students build community with peers and faculty and begin diving into the curriculum.
  • Residency 2 (Final Term): Formal research presentation with students and faculty. Hooding ceremony before graduates walk at APU’s commencement.

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Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

You can complete the MA in Education program in just one year. For example, if you start in January, you will graduate in December of the same year.

You can take up to two asynchronous courses (6 units) each term.

Each term is 8 weeks. There are five terms in total: Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2, and Summer.

Since this is an asynchronous program, there are no weekly required sessions. Professors are available during office hours and may host optional weekly sessions to provide support, mentorship, and guidance.

None! MAEd program coursework is 100% online and asynchronous. We designed it for working professionals with busy schedules and family commitments, allowing you to log in and complete your coursework whenever it fits best into your week.

Yes, APU’s MA in Education culminates in a capstone master’s thesis. Throughout the program, you will work with APU faculty to conduct a research project centered on a real-world educational or organizational problem. You will collect and analyze data to produce a scholarly work that advances your expertise and contributes meaningfully to the field.

Yes! APU’s MAEd program is anchored by two mandatory, inspiring in-person residencies that build lifelong cohort connections and deep faculty mentorship.

• The Opening Residency: Held on a Saturday during the first term, this all-day kickoff takes place at one of our stunning Southern California campuses. It is a joyful morning of worship, team-building, and community connection over lunch, followed by an introduction to resources, faculty, and staff, and a preview of your first course.
• The Closing Residency: Held on the Friday before commencement, this milestone celebration features master’s thesis presentations, a hooding ceremony, and a celebratory reception to honor your incredible academic achievement!