What is Transitional Kindergarten (TK)?
Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program within California’s K-12 public school system. TK provides a developmentally appropriate bridge between preschool and kindergarten.
A TK classroom follows a modified kindergarten curriculum aligned with the California Preschool Learning Foundations and the Common Core State Standards.
California is expanding TK to serve all eligible four-year-olds, creating an urgent need for qualified TK teachers. An estimated 11,000 to 15,600 new TK educators are needed statewide.
To meet this demand, the state requires that all credentialed teachers assigned to TK classrooms have at least 24 semester units in early childhood education or child development.
Online Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Certificate
The Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Certificate program provides early childhood educators with the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to teach effectively in a TK classroom. This program is designed to meet the NAEYC standards and California’s foundations and frameworks.
Completing the TK Certificate program covers 24 units in childhood development to fulfill the requirements of the recently amended California Education Code. The transitional kindergarten program is entirely online.
Advisement Sheet Transitional Kindergarten Certificate
Online enrollment in the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Certificate program is open to teachers who hold a preliminary or K-8 teaching credential and is designed to be completed in two semesters (four terms) before teaching TK. Courses cover the skills necessary to teach effectively in a TK classroom and include the NAEYC standards and California’s foundations and frameworks. The TK Certificate includes eight courses, each with three units, for 24 total units. Students can expect to complete the program in two semesters (four terms).
Program Highlights
- 100% online, complete coursework from anywhere in California
- Fulfills the 24-unit ECE/Child Development requirement for TK credentialing
- Designed for working credentialed teachers
- Coursework aligned with California Preschool Learning Foundations and Common Core
- Supportive learning community rooted in Pacific Oaks’ social justice and child development values
Courses
The core courses for transitional kindergarten teacher requirements emphasize child development. These courses go beyond the basic curriculum of an ECE degree. Students enrolled in the TK certificate program learn about program administration, student management, and classroom management to facilitate a successful learning experience for young children.
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| ECE 500 - Advanced Seminar in ECE | 3 |
| ECE 510 - Understanding Assessment & Research in ECE | 3 |
| ECE 530 - Public Policy & Its Impact on Children & Families | 3 |
| ECE 540 - Creating Responsive Communities for All Families | 3 |
| ECE 600 - Impact of Privilege & Oppression in EDE Settings | 3 |
| ECE 653 - Death, Divorce, and Difficult Times | 3 |
| ECE 654 - Trauma, Culture & Immigration | 3 |
| ECE 656 - Trauma and Early Development | 3 |
- Application
- Application Fee
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission & values of Pacific Oaks College
- Preliminary or clear K-8 teaching credential
For more details, please visit the Admissions Requirements page.
Earning your online TK certificate from Pacific Oaks opens doors to high-demand teaching roles across California’s expanding transitional kindergarten system. Graduates are prepared for the following career paths:
| Career Role | Typical Setting |
|---|---|
| Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Teacher | California public school districts |
| Kindergarten Teacher (K) | Public and private elementary schools |
| Early Childhood Education Specialist | School districts, resource centers |
| TK Lead Teacher / Instructional Coach | Larger districts with TK programs |
| Curriculum Developer (Early Childhood) | Educational nonprofits, districts |
Career Opportunities
Who Can Teach Transitional Kindergarten in California?
To teach TK in California, educators must hold one of the following valid teaching credentials, per the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC):
- Preliminary or Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
- PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential
- University or District Intern Credential (Grades TK-8)
In addition to a valid credential, teachers first assigned to TK after July 1, 2015, must complete at least 24 semester units in early childhood education or child development by August 1, 2025, or hold a Child Development Teacher Permit issued by the CTC.
California TK Standards and the 24-Unit Requirement
California TK standards require that classroom instruction align with the California Preschool Learning Foundations (PLF) and the Kindergarten Common Core State Standards.
Teachers must demonstrate competency in five developmental learning domains: social-emotional development, language and literacy, cognitive development, physical development, and approaches to learning.
The 24-unit requirement ensures all TK teachers have specialized preparation in these areas.
Why Earn Your TK Certificate at Pacific Oaks?
Pacific Oaks College has more than 75 years of experience preparing educators who work with young children. Our approach to early childhood education centers on equity, social justice, and developmentally appropriate practice, the values that define quality transitional kindergarten teaching.
Our Online TK Certificate is designed for working teachers in California who need a flexible, rigorous pathway to meet credentialing requirements and grow in their practice.
When you earn your TK certificate through Pacific Oaks, you join a community of educators dedicated to supporting every child’s social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
With TK now universal across California, your expertise is in high demand. Visit our Apply Now page to start your application today.
Explore Related Programs at Pacific Oaks
If you want to advance beyond a certificate, Pacific Oaks offers degree programs that build on your TK foundation:
What is a Transitional Kindergarten Certificate?
A Transitional Kindergarten Certificate is a professional certification that fulfills California's 24-unit early childhood education (ECE) or child development requirement for credentialed teachers who want to teach in a TK classroom.
It is not a teaching credential itself; you must already hold or be pursuing a valid California teaching credential (such as a Multiple Subject Credential) to teach TK.
What are the requirements to teach TK in California?
To teach Transitional Kindergarten in California, you must:
- Hold a valid California teaching credential authorizing TK instruction
(such as a Preliminary or Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or a PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential)
- Complete at least 24 semester units of early childhood education or child development coursework,
or hold a Child Development Teacher Permit
Teachers first assigned to TK after July 1, 2015, must fulfill the 24-unit requirement by August 1, 2025.
Is the Pacific Oaks TK Certificate program fully online?
Yes. The Pacific Oaks Online Transitional Kindergarten Certificate is offered completely online, allowing credentialed teachers in California to complete coursework on a flexible schedule without disrupting their current teaching role.
Some courses may include fieldwork or observation components that are completed in your local school setting.
Does this program satisfy the California 24-unit TK requirement?
Yes. The Pacific Oaks Online TK Certificate is designed to fulfill the 24-unit early childhood education and child development requirement set by California Education Code Section 48000(g) and the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for TK instruction.
Prospective students are encouraged to confirm acceptance with their district's HR department.
How long does it take to complete the TK certificate program?
The program can typically be completed in one year or less, depending on course load and scheduling. Because the program is fully online and designed for working professionals, students can progress at a pace that fits their teaching schedule.
What is the difference between a TK Certificate and a teaching credential?
A California teaching credential authorizes you to teach in K-12 public schools. A TK certificate (or TK certification) is an additional qualification, specifically, the 24 ECE/child development units required for credentialed teachers assigned to a Transitional Kindergarten classroom.
You need the credential first; the TK certificate satisfies the specialized TK unit requirement.
Can I earn a TK certificate if I already have a teaching credential in another subject?
Yes, if you hold a valid Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or a qualifying credential, you can enroll in the Pacific Oaks Online TK Certificate program to complete the 24 ECE units required for TK instruction. The program is designed for credentialed teachers who want to add TK to their classroom assignments.
What career opportunities are available with a TK certificate?
Graduates who complete the Pacific Oaks TK Certificate program are prepared to serve as Transitional Kindergarten teachers in California public schools, early childhood education specialists, and lead TK instructors.
As California expands TK to serve all eligible 4-year-olds, qualified TK teachers are in high demand across hundreds of school districts statewide.