Department of Teacher Education

The Department of Special Education offers master’s degree and credential programs for candidates seeking a California Preliminary Education Specialist Credential with either a mild/moderate or moderate/severe disabilities specialization authorizing them to teach in the public K-12 environment.

Ignite Your Passion for Teaching

The Department of Teacher Education empowers aspiring educators with the knowledge, skills, and unwavering dedication to develop and guide PK-12 students. The department is committed to fostering a deep understanding of the education journey, bridging theory and practice through dynamic programs and impactful partnerships.

Accreditation and Excellence

The credential programs available through the Department of Teacher Education are rigorously accredited by the prestigious California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), ensuring that our students receive a high-quality, nationally recognized education.

The department is dedicated to fostering educators who demonstrate excellence as:

  • Content Experts: Possessing deep knowledge in their subject areas.
  • Effective Pedagogues: Using innovative teaching strategies to engage and inspire students.
  • Professional Leaders: Demonstrating ethical commitment to lifelong learning.
  • Humble Servants: Embodying Christ’s example through a posture of humility and service toward their students and colleagues and the wider community.
  • Justice Seekers: Inspired by Christ’s call to justice, actively working to create equitable and inclusive learning environments where all students can thrive.
  • Champions of Human Flourishing: Rooted in the understanding of the Imago Dei, striving to cultivate the holistic growth and well-being of each student, fostering their inherent potential to flourish.

Professional Standards for Credential Candidates

APU credential candidates are highly desired because of the Department of Teacher Education’s strong reputation for preparing highly qualified teachers who have been held to high professional standards. The department assesses candidates from admission through credential recommendation in credential standards and dispositions, including the following:

  • All credential candidates are expected to maintain a high level of professional and ethical behavior throughout the program. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the program.
  • All credential standards and requirements are subject to CTC, CAEP, and federal policy changes. These standards, requirements, and policies supersede catalog descriptions of prior programs and requirements.
  • The department reserves the right to change the admission process and requirements as needed, withhold credential recommendation due to a candidate’s failure to meet and/or maintain APU professional and ethical behavior standards and dispositions, and/or expel a candidate at any time in the program due to a candidate’s failure to meet and/or maintain APU professional and ethical standards and dispositions.

Faculty

Department Chair

Catherine Hahs Brinkley, EdD

Program Directors

Amber Lynwood, EdD, Liberal Studies and Integrated Bachelor’s/Credential Undergraduate Education Programs

Angela Guta, PhD, Special Education Credential Programs

Regula Schmid, EdD, Multiple Subject and Single Subject Credential Programs

Professors

Tammy Bachrach, PhD

Jennifer Courduff, PhD

Paul Flores, PhD

Greg Kaiser, PhD

HeeKap Lee, PhD

Associate Professors

Richard Barsh, EdD

Cynthia Dollins, EdD

Ie May Freeman, EdD

Angela Guta, PhD

Amber Lynwood, EdD

Regula Schmid, EdD

Assistant Professor

Catherine Hahs Brinkley, EdD

Instructor

Susan Hall, MEd