Fourteen FPU Degrees for Becoming a Teacher
Fresno Pacific University appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Degree Programs.
Since 2009, the School of Education has offered the “Four Year Graduation Guarantee” for a 120-credit Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages B.A. led by Dr. Darren Duerksen with 180 domestic or global practicum hours from China to Lithuania. Advised by Dr. Amy Brogan, the Physical Education Teaching B.A. specializes a 120-unit, WASC-accredited curriculum for K-12 credentialing in the Steinert Athletic Complex with courses like Biomechanics and Exercise Psychology. Note there’s a Secondary Teaching (7-12) Emphasis that can be added to the 120-unit Music B.A., English B.A., and Mathematics B.A. also.
Online via Moodle, the Educational Technology M.A. starts a 31-credit, ISTE-aligned track under Dr. Matt Gehrett every eight weeks with Innovative Project and Thesis Pathways. Directed by Dr. Christopher Brownell, the 33-unit STEM Education M.A. produces certified K-8 teachers with hybrid real-world practice in Fresno’s AIMS Center. Customized for 32-60 units, the Special Education M.A. chaired by Dr. Lisa Keith offers Board Certified Behavioral Analyst or Disability Service Providers emphases in Fresno, Merced, and Visalia.0
Other options are the online B.A. in Early Childhood Development, Teacher Education M.A.T., Teacher Librarian M.A., Reading & Language M.A., Administrative Services M.A., Physical Education, M.A., and Math Education M.A.
About Fresno Pacific University
Fresno Pacific University originated in 1944 when the Pacific District Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Church acquired the YWCA building designed by AIA Gold Medalist Julia Morgan for its Bible school. In 1958, ground was broken for today’s 18-building, 17-hectare Central Valley campus in Forbes’ 22nd best job growth city. Fully accredited in 1961, the Bible Institute developed its first B.A. two years later. In 1967, it became Pacific College and began granting 700-level master’s courses. In 1975, the In-Service Education Program was formed for California teachers. Renamed Fresno Pacific University in 1997, it established a School of Education in 2005. Dedicated to Matthew 19:26, FPU merged with the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in 2010. During the next few years, extensions to Bakersfield, Merced, North Fresno, and Visalia were built as online education grew. Given a $51 million HSI Grant in 2015, Fresno Pacific now serves 4,279 Sunbirds at a median age of 31 with the region’s highest graduation rate and 15 clubs like Colors of India. On Niche, FPU is America’s 55th best college for education degrees. Money magazine’s 209th top value also boasts the 50th best campus experience, 246th best outcomes, and 150th most safety on WalletHub.
Fresno Pacific University Accreditation Details
On June 2, 2015, the Western Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) filed a Substantive Change Report that confirmed the reaffirmation of Fresno Pacific University’s Level IV accreditation through Spring 2025 under its 12th president, Dr. Richard Kriegbaum, who accepted the university’s NCAA Division II Award of Excellence. Based 182 miles up Interstate 580 in the Bay Area, this esteemed eight-territory West Coast accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Particularly, the School of Education was last approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) on June 27, 2018. Fresno Pacific isn’t accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) like most though.
Fresno Pacific University Application Requirements
Starting at the U.S. News & World Report’s 39th best regional school is classified “selective” despite a Fall 2017 acceptance rate of 95 percent. First-year Fresno Pacific University Sunbirds seeking the Teacher Education Department must finish a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Four years English, three years Math, and three years Foreign Language are encouraged. Secondary GPAs must exceed 3.1 and the average is 3.54. Composite ACT marks must be above 19. Before 2016, minimum SAT scores were 450 Math and 450 Reading. Recent SAT takers need at least 490 on each. Education B.A. majors typically transfer 30+ credits, including LA 385, before declaration. Passing California educator credentialing exams (CBEST and CSET) is mandated. The Graduate School only selects M.A. candidates who’ve verified a four-year bachelor’s. Negative TB tests performed in the last 12 months are compulsory. GPAs falling below the preferred 3.0 limit must be explained in writing. The Administrative Services M.A. also recommends 24+ months of teaching experience.
Fresno Pacific University has flexible undergrad admission rolling until July 31st for Fall, December 31st for Spring, and April 30th for Summer. Non-U.S. residents with a 500 TOEFL pBT or equivalent must file before May 1st or November 1st. Take notice the financial aid priority deadline is March 2nd though. Online eight-week Education M.A. courses have rolling admission to start in August, October, January, and March. Accordingly, submit the $40 ($90 if graduate) FPU Application securely online. Re-application forms are discounted to $15. Unopened academic transcripts go to 1717 South Chestnut Avenue Suite 2005 in Fresno, CA 93702. Official test submissions require SAT/TOEFL code 4616 or ACT code 0357. Other documents include the writing sample, 1-3 letters of reference, educational plan, statement of intent, certificate of clearance, negative tuberculosis results, teaching credential, and résumé of experience with youth. Please pose further questions to (800) 660-6089 or ugadmis@fresno.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Fresno Pacific University will charge full-time School of Education undergrads $15,983 per term or $31,966 annually. Taking under 12 units will cost $1,106 apiece. The Summer Session is cheaper at $300 per unit. Designed Subject Education (DSE) courses are $340 each unit. Bachelor’s majors pay the $492 student body fee yearly. Living at the San Joaquin Valley campus’ dorms like Willow Gardens adds $2,149 to $4,292 by term. Detached meal plans for Steinert Dining Hall and Charlotte’s Corner are $599 to $2,143. Attendance totals equal around $41,412 on-site and $32,458 at home. Online degree completion cohorts spend $495 per unit. The Graduate School prices Education M.A. courses at $650 per unit. For instance, the Reading & Language M.A. would bill $20,800 overall. Special Education M.A. students seeking BCBA certification pay the most at $39,000.
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 100 percent of incoming full-time FPU students log into SunbirdCentral for financial assistance averaging $25,394 each or $5.35 million combined. Teaching funds include the Wentzel Family Math Scholarship, Educational Employees Credit Union Scholarship, Lillian Staricco Winnie Scholarship, Frances Ruggerello Henry Scholarship, Weldon & Eloise Bowen Scholarship, Norma Dick School Library Media Scholarship, Ken & Nancy Engstrom Scholarship, Ford Family Scholarship, Katie Friesen Scholarship, William Randolph Hearst Scholarship, Wiebe Education-Service Scholarship, and Marc Sawatzky Scholarship. The Visalia Center Scholarship has an August 15th deadline for Kings or Tulare County residents with minimum 3.2 GPAs. President’s Scholarship recipients receive $15,000 each year with enrollment in Perspectives in Leadership. The $2,500 Mennonite Brethren Award supports freshmen with proof of active Church attendance. Federal aid, including the $4,000 TEACH Grant, require institutional application code 001253. The California Teachers Association also presents the César Chávez Memorial Scholarship, L. Gordon Bittle Scholarship, and Del A. Weber Scholarship.
Continue reading about Fresno Pacific University at the Teacher Education Department website.
