Azusa Pacific University

Hi all,

I am in the process of applying to Azusa Pacific University's online MA program in Educational Technology, and I would like to hear from individuals who are familar with their online program. I read in U.S. News and World Report that their graduate degree programs were ranked #22 in 2003. Any information about the school's reputation and quality of instruction would be greatly appreciated. I would especially like to hear from students who have attended the school--especially those who have obtained their degrees online.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

All I know about Azusa is that Gary Bonner, who was there for 23 years and served as Dean of the School of Music, is the best teacher of choral conducting I've ever encountered.
http://www.bonnermusic.com/singers.html

 

I have lived in Southern California be a number of years and am familiar with Azusa Pacific. It is a Christian University with a good reputation. I am friends with a long-time faculty in that program (Gerald Boerner, now retired).

San Diego State University has an excellent online MA in educational technology and its program has the best reputation in the state. Peeperdines program also enjoys a good reputation. Another newer option is the online MA program at La Sierra University (another Christian-affiliated institution).

There are also some very good online MA programs in educational technology outside of California.

Tony Pina
Faculty, Instructional Technology
California State University, San Bernardino

 

MA - Ed Tech

I second Tony's comment about San Diego State University's online Ed Tech Program. It's very challenging and is more highly regarded than the other schools mentioned. And the faculty are known nationally and well published.

I question the ranking of #22 - what category or tier for APU ?

Good Luck !

 

This is a reference to the US News & World Report's annual edition of "America's Best College", which uses a system of subjective and objective data to rank schools in four broad categories (Doctoral, Masters, Liberal Arts Bachelor and Comprehensive Bachelor).

The Doctoral category compares 248 US institutions that award more than 20 doctoral degrees annually. San Diego State is included in this category. It is being compared against the likes of Harvard, Yale, MIT, Princeton, etc.

Although Azusa Pacific offers doctoral degrees, they only award a few (less than 5) per year, so they are placed in the "masters category". The masters category is further divided into four subsections, North, South, Midwest and West.

Azusa was ranked 22nd in the Western category of masters colleges, which included 126 schools. It is compared against the other Cal State Universities, Gonzaga, Redlands and other univrsities that offer only up to the masters or that award less that 20 doctorates per year.

Even though San Diego State is ranked lower in its category than Azusa, SDSU is in a "higher" category.

Please keep in mind that the US New rankings are far from infallible (they have been known to be less than reliable, as rankings sometimes change drastically from year to year). It is one tool among many to help judge schools.

Tony Piña
Faculty, Cal State U. San Bernardino