Teachers Change Lives

Pacific Oaks College has been developing educators for more than 60 years with a pioneering program born from the need to train teachers for our progressive children’s school.

Our teacher credentialing program can help you apply what you’ve learned in the classroom—helping to uncover a child’s true learning potential.

Upon successful completion of our teacher credentialing program, graduates will be recommended to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for the preliminary credential.

Because we’re committed to providing a culture-centered education, our students are immersed in an environment that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and equality. Through experiential learning, real-world practice, and a strong curriculum, Pacific Oaks College helps prepare graduates to provide high-quality education in the communities they serve.

Teacher credentialing programs at Pacific Oaks are offered at our Pasadena campus in a hybrid (in classroom and online) format. We also offer a program that is fully online, providing the working professional with a flexible schedule to meet their needs.

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.

Hear from our community

“As a working mother with a three-month-old baby, I was looking for a rigorous MA program that would prepare me well as a future education specialist but also fit my busy schedule. I was drawn to Pacific Oaks College because of the school’s commitment to social justice, the small class size and supportive learning environments.

What I experienced went beyond my expectations. The professors genuinely cared about each candidate’s progress and were passionate about giving me the skills I needed to change lives inside the classroom. “

— Susannah Brown-Scanlon
Pacific Oaks College Alumna, M.A. in Education with Special Education

The teacher credentialing programs at Pacific Oaks College are intentionally designed to prepare candidates for the classroom’s current realities. Students gain clinical experience throughout their course of study, with small classrooms that allow practice of critical reflection techniques. Additionally, the foundations of anti-bias and socially just classroom practices give our candidates a deep understanding of what culturally responsive pedagogy really means and how it impacts students and their communities.”

— Jerell B. Hill, Ed.D.,
Dean, Pacific Oaks College School of Education

A few things that set us apart

• Benefit from flexibility and convenience: Classes occur on nights and weekends to accommodate the working professional.
• Save time with Credit for Learning from Experience: Bachelor’s students can earn up to 24 transfer credit hours that you can apply toward your degree.
• Take advantage of our scholarships and financial aid: Inquire today to learn about scholarships for incoming students along with other financial aid opportunities.
• Have confidence in knowing we are an accredited, nonprofit institution: Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), Pacific Oaks College is a leading institution in education and human development.

Teacher Credentialing Virtual Information Session

Learn about the Teaching Credentialing process for Elementary Education and Special Education teachers in California, and how the B.A., M.A., and Stand-Alone teacher education degree programs at Pacific Oaks College help prepare you to make a difference in the classroom. Hear about our approach to preparing you for your career and the way we support you to become a culturally-minded role model for your students.

The B.A., M.A., and post-B.A. stand-alone credential programs in Elementary Education and Special Education qualify graduates to be recommended to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to receive the preliminary teaching credential in their area(s) of study.

Undergraduate students can complete credential preparation while simultaneously earning a B.A., saving time.

A post-credential Bilingual Authorization prepares teachers to work with student populations whose primary language may not be English.

B.A. Credentials

• Elementary Education (Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential preparation)
• Elementary & Special Education (Preliminary Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential preparation)

M.A. Credentials

• Elementary Education (Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential preparation)
• Special Education (Preliminary Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential preparation)

Stand-Alone Credentials (post-B.A.)

• Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
• Preliminary Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential

Bilingual Authorization (post-credential)

• Spanish Bilingual Authorization
• Mandarin Bilingual Authorization

Certificate

• Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Certificate

What are the difference in the credential programs?

Special Education

Students enrolled in the B.A. in Early Childhood Education: Special Education, the M.A. in Education: Special Education, and the post-B.A. Preliminary Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential complete coursework and specialized practice that qualify graduates to be recommended for a Preliminary Education Specialist credential once all fieldwork and state of California requirements are met. This credential qualifies graduates to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades K-12 and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22.

Elementary Education

Students enrolled in the B.A. Early Childhood Education: Elementary Education, the M.A. Elementary Education, or the post-B.A. Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential program complete coursework and specialized practice that qualify graduates to be recommended for a Preliminary Multiple Subject teaching credential once all fieldwork and state of California requirements are met. This credential qualifies graduates to teach in a self-contained preschool, grades K-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults in a self-contained classroom. Candidates with this credential traditionally teach in elementary K-8 self-contained classrooms.

Elementary & Special Education

Only available to B.A. students, this dual degree provides graduates with both credentials, expanding their career options.

Bilingual Authorization, Spanish & Mandarin

Students enrolled in the Bilingual Authorization Spanish and Bilingual Authorization Mandarin programs apply theory and pedagogy through 75 hours of supervised practicum in a dual language setting. This post-credential program trains students to teach dual language TK-12 pupils. Students must be either a Multiple Subject Credential candidate at Pacific Oaks or a post-credential candidate with a valid preliminary or clear Multiple Subject Credential.