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Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

B.A. in Community Psychology
B.A. in Early Childhood Education programs
B.A. in Human Development programs
B.S. in Business and Management
Bachelor of Social Work

Admission to the bachelor’s program is open to any person who meets the admission requirements as outlined below. Applicants will be evaluated on their overall ability to successfully complete an undergraduate degree program.

Standard undergraduate admissions requirements include:

  • Completed Application for Admission
  • Application fee
  • Personal statement
  • Identification verification
  • Proof of academic history
  • Work or Volunteer Experience Summary showing three or more years of significant professional or life experience or an official transcript confirming 24 transferable credits from an institutionally accredited institution with a grade of C or better
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College
  • Any degree specific requirements

Acceptable proof of academic history must be provided in one of the following ways:

  • Official high school transcript recognized by the U.S. Department of Education showing an earned high school diploma, with a date of graduation
  • Official college transcript with 24 credits of transferable credits with a grade of C or better
  • Official associate degree transcript from an institutionally accredited college or university showing the degree earned and date conferred
  • Official college transcript from an institutionally accredited college or university that contains the high school’s name and the date of graduation
  • Official international diploma and transcripts that contain the high school’s name and the date of graduation
  • High school equivalency completed through home schooling as defined by state law
  • Official General Educational Development (GED) document. A copy of the student’s GED certificate, or an unofficial GED score issued by the state, can be submitted with a contingency that the official GED document will be on file prior to day five of the term/semester of entry. Financial aid will not be disbursed until the compliant documentation is received.
  • Official Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) document
  • Official High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) document
  • Official documentation showing a passing score on a state-authorized exam that the state recognizes as equivalent to high school graduation

It is required that transcripts are submitted from all undergraduate schools where credit was received to support the application and request for transfer credit.

Applicants with less than 24 credits of transferrable college coursework who do not demonstrate three years of significant professional or life experience outlined on their Work or Volunteer Experience Summary, are required to submit additional documentation:

  •  One letter of support from someone (a non-relative) familiar with your ability to be successful in this program
  • An additional essay (500-750 words). In your essay, please answer the following questions:
    • What life and professional experience do you possess that would enable you to be successful in the Pacific Oaks classroom focused on the application of experience to the course content?
    • Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes social justice, cultural humility, and respect for every individual? (Please refer to the mission and vision statements of Pacific Oaks College).
  • Interview with a member of the Admissions Committee

Undergraduate Degree Specific Admissions Requirements

Bachelor of Social Work

In addition to standard undergraduate admissions requirements, must have:

  • Submission of Admissions Personal Statement Prompt:
    • The statement must be well-organized, clearly written, and between three to five pages (double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins).
    • This statement plays a vital role in helping the Admissions Committee understand your motivation, readiness, and alignment with the core values of the social work profession.
  • Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) and/or Credit for Learning Experience (CLE) may not be used to fulfill BSW program prerequisites or core curriculum program courses. PLA and/or CLE may only be used for the fulfillment of general electives.
  • After review of the application, BSW team will determine if an interview is required; if so, Monday evening interviews will be scheduled

Credential Programs Admissions Process
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education: Elementary Education
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education: Elementary Education and Special Education

In addition to standard undergraduate admissions requirements:

  • For undergraduate level teaching credential preparation programs, applicants will be required to submit the following:
    • Successfully meet the Basic Skills Requirement (e.g., California Basic Education Skills Test or CBEST)
    • Proof of registration for the CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers)
  • Students wishing to pursue undergraduate level teaching credential preparation programs with less than 40 transferable credits at point of admission may still be granted an offer of acceptance. However, submission of official passing scores of the CBEST and proof of registration for the CSET will become a progression requirement beyond successful completion of 40 cumulative credits toward the bachelor’s degree.

Students whose admissions files are incomplete (e.g., exam registrations, missing test scores, transcripts, etc.) may be provisionally admitted and must take steps to ensure that their files are completed within one term. The time limit may be extended with the approval of the dean.

Subject matter proficiency may be demonstrated through one of the following options:

  • Passing subject matter examinations (Subtests I, II, III) on the CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers)
  • Completion of Subject Matter Review (i.e., degree completion in the approved academic subject areas, completion of a combination of coursework and examination(s) that meets or exceeds the subject matter domains)
  • Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that address each of the domains of the subject matter requirements
  • Show proof of CSET registration with test dates

For more information on Teacher Credentialing, please visit the Credentials Office page.

Graduate Admissions Requirements

Application to Pacific Oaks College’s graduate programs is open to any person who:

  • Has an official transcript of a conferred bachelor’s or master’s degree or higher from an institutionally accredited college or university showing the date of degree conferral,
  • Has all official transcripts from any other graduate programs from which transfer of credit is being sought, and;
  • Meets all program specific admission requirements (see below)

M.A. in Cultural and Family Studies

  • Completed Application for Admission
  • Application fee
  • Bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited institution
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Work or Volunteer Experience Summary
  • Personal statement
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation
  • Faculty interview
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College

M.A. in Early Childhood Education (All Specializations)

  • Completed Application for Admission
  • Application fee
  • Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher from an institutionally accredited program in early childhood education or child development
    • Students who do not meet this requirement, may be admitted based on completion of approved courses from an institutionally accredited college/university.
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Work or Volunteer Experience Summary
  • Personal statement
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College

M.A. in Education (Elementary Education and Special Education programs)

  • Completed Application for Admission
  • Application fee
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Work or Volunteer Experience Summary
  • Personal statement
  • Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement (e.g., CBEST)
  • Proof of registration or payment for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET: Multiple Subjects; i.e., Subtests I, II, and III) with test dates in the first six months of initial enrollment is due by the end the second term from the start date of the program.
  • Letter of recommendation required for students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.5
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College

M.A. in Human Development (All Specializations)

  • Completed Application for Admission
  • Application fee
  • Bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited institution
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Work or Volunteer Experience Summary
  • Personal statement
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College

M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy (All Specializations)

  • Completed Application for Admission
  • Application fee
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Work or Volunteer Experience Summary
  • Personal statement
  • Faculty interview
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College

M.A. in Organizational Leadership and Management

  • Completed Application for Admission
  • Application fee
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Work or Volunteer Experience Summary
  • Personal statement
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College

Master of Social Work (MSW)

  • Completed Application for Admission
  • Application fee
  • Bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited institution
  • Undergraduate prerequisite coursework with a minimum of three (3) semester credit hours in college-level statistics with a grade of C or better (a letter grade of C- or lower will not be accepted*)
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Work or Volunteer Experience Summary
  • Personal statement
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation from:
    1. A field supervisor or manager from a prior field education placement site.
    2. A current employer, professional contact, or previous supervisor at an internship/field education placement.
  • Faculty interview (May be group or individual)
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College

*Students who have not satisfied the college-level statistics requirement as part of their undergraduate coursework may be granted acceptance to the program with the requirement they satisfy the statistics requirement as part of their course of study at Pacific Oaks College.

Master of Social Work: Advanced Standing

Admission to the MSW Advanced Standing program is only done in Fall 1 and Spring 1 terms.

  • Completed Application for Admission
  • Application fee
  • Bachelor of Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program (or in candidacy process) awarded in the last five years with an overall 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcript from the BSW degree granting institution
  • Two letters of recommendation
    1. One must be from a field supervisor or manager from a prior field education placement site. This can also be the Final Field Evaluation from BSW Field placement.
    2. The second can be from a current employer, professional contact, or previous supervisor at an internship/field education placement.
  • Resume
  • Two writing samples:
    1. Academic paper from a BSW capstone or upper-division course
    2. Applied work sample, which can include redacted progress notes, program evaluations, etc.
  • Interview (may be group or individual)

Preliminary Education Teaching Credential—Mild/Moderate Support Needs (MMSN)
Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

  • Completed Application for Admission
  • Application fee
  • Bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited institution
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Work or Volunteer Experience Summary
  • Personal statement
  • Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement (e.g., CBEST)
  • Proof of registration or payment for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET: Multiple Subjects; i.e., Subtests I, II, and III) with test dates in the first six months of initial enrollment is due by the end the second term from the start date of the program.
  • Letter of recommendation required for students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.5
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College

Bilingual Authorization Spanish/Bilingual Authorization Mandarin

Admissions Requirements for Post-Credential Candidates

  • Completed Application for Admission
  • Application fee
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Verification of completion of Initial Credential Requirements (Valid Preliminary or Clear California Multiple Subject Credential)
  • Verification of authorization to teach English Learners
  • Screen for language proficiency (CSET III)
  • Interview

Doctor of Education in Early Childhood Education

  • Completed Application for Admission
  • Application fee
  • Successful completion of a master’s degree in early childhood education, child development, human development, education, or a related field
  • Official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended
  • Personal statement
    • Describe two challenges in your life you have experienced. Explain what those challenges mean to you and how those challenges will help you pursue your professional goals at Pacific Oaks College. Lastly, explain how you will contribute and uphold the Pacific Oaks mission and core values during your coursework and professional development.
  • Resume/CV
  • Interview
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College

International Students

For details on how to apply and the admissions requirements for international students, visit the international student admissions webpage.

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