Private, Pentecostal Teaching Degrees at Vanguard
Vanguard University of Southern California appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Degree Programs.
Ranked the West’s 54th best college by the U.S. News & World Report, Vanguard University of Southern California has a 15:1 student-faculty ratio to confer 32 bachelor’s, six professional, and 13 master’s programs in 14 departments from a Christian approach. For example, the Liberal Studies BA is the Education Department’s 120-unit, CCTC-recognized undergrad major for earning K-12 Single or Multiple Subject Matter credentials after courses like Children’s Literature and 100-hour practica, such as Killybrooke Elementary. Online on Canvas, the Early Childhood BA chaired by Dr. Seon Chun-Burbank accelerates through 124 units in seven-week sessions for the ACSI Preschool Associate Credential from Birth to Age 8.
Directed by Dr. Sylvia Kane, the Curriculum & Instruction MAEd at Vanguard University starts a 37-unit, two-year curriculum each Fall or Spring in Costa Mesa for the California Preliminary Credential plus ELL endorsement for bilingual teaching with median $67,871 pay. The Christian Education Leadership MAEd builds a 34-unit, ACSI-aligned plan online or during evenings for already licensed teachers to take 500-level courses like Instructional Design with religion electives. Placed 375th nationally on College Factual, the 30-unit Teacher Leadership Development MAEd trains K-12 school administrators for jobs growing 8 percent through 2026 with optional ACSA membership. There’s also a 25-credit Teaching Credential Program.
About Vanguard University of Southern California
Vanguard University originated in July 1920 when Harold Needham, D.W. Keer and W.C. Peirce banded together to create the Southern California Bible School in Los Angeles. Seven years later, it relocated to the present 40-acre Costa Mesa campus between LA and San Diego. In 1939, it became Southern California Bible College as the nation’s first four-year Assemblies of God institution. In 1959, it was renamed Southern California College as the Liberal Studies BA was introduced. Fully accredited in 1964, it launched the Education Department with California State Board approval in 1967. In 1983, its earliest Master of Arts program debuted. On July 1, 1999, the Vanguard University of Southern California name was adopted. In 2014, the Princeton Review added Vanguard to its annual “Best in the West” list.
Endowed for $5.3 million, Vanguard University now enrolls 2,552 Lions from 13 countries online and on-site in 27 buildings with 30+ clubs like Teachers of Tomorrow plus a “Four-Year Graduation Guarantee.” In 2017, Vanguard was granted the NAIA Champions of Character Silver Five-Star Institution Award. In 2019, the Professional Grounds Management Society picked Vanguard for its Honor Award. Forbes placed Vanguard University of Southern California 576th overall with the 368th top private education. On Niche, Vanguard boasts America’s 73rd best religious studies, 84th best location, and 287th safest campus. Money Magazine declared Vanguard the 620th top value. Washington Monthly also named the “College of Distinction” 293rd nationally for bachelor’s degrees.
Vanguard University of Southern California Accreditation Details
On July 10, 2017, Vanguard University of Southern California announced that the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior Commission had reaffirmed the Level III accreditation for institutional integrity through 2027-28 under its 10th president, Dr. Michael J. Beals, an ordained Assemblies of God minister. Located 409 miles north via Interstate 5 in Alameda, this elite eight-territory Pacific Region accreditor is accepted by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Particularly, the Education Department is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). It’s recognized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) for state licensure. Please note Vanguard isn’t approved by the Council on Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP) though.
Vanguard University of Southern California Application Requirements
Admission to Vanguard University of Southern California is labeled “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 1,441 of the 3,087 Fall 2017 applicants were chosen for 47 percent selection. First-year Lions seeking the Liberal Studies BA must have completed 13 year-long, college-prep courses for a high school diploma. GED recipients age 18 or older must have scores above 580 to qualify. Freshmen typically rank in the upper one-third of their graduating classes. On average, bachelor’s majors present a 3.29 GPA, 1025 SAT, and 21 ACT mark. Entrants with 27+ transferable college units graded “C” or higher can apply without tests. One exception is for foreign learners from non-English countries who need an 80 TOEFL Internet score or higher. The Education Department has GRE-optional entrance for accredited bachelor’s grads. Presenting cumulative 3.0 GPAs or better in the last 60 units is sufficient. Each master’s requires the California Basic Educational Skills Test instead.
Vanguard University of Southern California has set freshman deadlines of December 1st for Early Action and January 15th for Regular Decision. Priority dates for Education Department transfers are August 1st in Fall and December 1st in Spring. Non-U.S. undergrads must file by June 1st and October 1st respectively. Graduate teaching programs have May 1st and November 1st deadlines. Accordingly, complete the Vanguard Application online with $45 by credit/debit card on TouchNet. Official transcripts are forward to 55 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa, CA 92626. For testing results, select ACT code 0432 or SAT/GRE code 4701. Other checklist items include the 500-word Christian experience statement, DD-214 military form, valid passport, financial support affidavit, teacher certification, résumé, and three references. Please pose further questions to (714) 668-6130 or admissions@vanguard.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Vanguard University of Southern California is billing full-time Liberal Studies BA majors $17,250 by term or $34,500 annually. Traditional part-time study incurs $1,435 per unit. Undergrads will pay the $600 services fee each year. Living at the Costa Mesa campus’ housing like Laguna Hall will add $5,480 yearly. Standard meal plans for Café Bon Appétit are $3,950 extra. Vanguard budgets $950 for books, $1,305 for personal needs, and $430 for travel. Annual bachelor’s attendance will equal about $48,800 on-site and $39,680 at home. Online Early Childhood BA students are charged $525 per unit or $63,000 total. The Education Department has priced graduate courses at $610 per unit. Thus, the Curriculum & Instruction MAEd costs $22,570. Christian Education Leadership MAEd cohorts spend $20,740. The Teacher Leadership Development MAEd is the cheapest at $18,300 overall.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office on Scott Center’s First Floor gets 90 percent of full-time Vanguard Lions prideful with median assistance of $18,335 each or $29.64 million combined. University funds include the Presidential Scholarship, Centennial Scholarship, Provost Scholarship, Dean Scholarship, Founders Scholarship, Transfer Academic Scholarship, Athletics Scholarship, Ministry Grant, Assemblies of God Emerging Leader Award, and Gold Pride Scholarship. The Christian Educator’s Grant deducts $75 per unit off Master of Arts in Education tuition. The Alliance for AG Higher Education runs several programs, such as the Ashcroft-Riggs Scholarship, Next Generation Scholarship, and Making the Difference Scholarship. Completing the FAFSA application coded 001293 by March 2nd qualifies for the $4,000 Federal TEACH Grant. California residents with minimum 3.0 GPAs will receive $9,084 from Cal Grant A for full-time enrollment. Since 1997, the California Federation of Teachers has awarded the $3,000 Raoul Teilhet Scholarship for undergrads submitting 500-word essays too.
Continue reading about Vanguard University of Southern California at the Education Department website.
