Many people, men and women alike, have come to the conclusion that their vocation in life is to teach and mentor children. These professionals want to mold young minds and make each student believe that he or she is bright, special and has a promising future.
California is a true ‘melting pot’ with over 37 million residents. And the State of California takes the teaching of its children seriously. To receive certification, those wanting to join the ranks of the mind molders must earn a Bachelor’s Degree and complete a teacher education program that includes student teaching. Without teacher credentialing, the education degree alone does not suffice.
For teachers interested in working with California’s youngest learners, this also includes meeting the state’s 24-unit early childhood education requirement to teach Transitional Kindergarten.
Because California is so diverse, the prospective teacher-to-be wants to attend an accredited California credentialing program that affords a progressive, culture-centered model of education that moves beyond teaching a simplistic definition of human diversity to exploring the infinitely diverse backgrounds and contributions that each individual brings to the collaborative learning experience. The California culture is dynamic, it changes often. A college or university that offers teacher credentialing must remain alert to those changes so they can impart them to the men and women who will be working among the country’s future leaders.
Pacific Oaks College is an accredited higher education institution offering bachelor’s-completion and master’s programs in human development, marriage and family therapy, education, early childhood education, and Preliminary teaching credentials. Pacific Oaks College follows a progressive teacher education credentialing program model that prepares students to think critically about diversity, culture, and power in the classroom.
Whether you’re pursuing your first credential or adding a specialization like Bilingual Authorization or Special Education, Pacific Oaks structures each pathway around California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) requirements from day one.
Pacific Oaks also offers a fully Online Transitional Kindergarten Certificate for credentialed teachers who want to qualify for California’s expanding TK classrooms.
One of the most outstanding differences in comparing Pacific Oaks College to a traditional state university is Pacific Oaks College is dedicated to the principles of inclusion, social justice, and the valuing of every human being. The institution is known and recognized for its pioneering efforts to reduce bias within our nation’s education system, and for equipping graduates with the skills they need to help people from diverse backgrounds, learning styles, and strengths uncover and realize their unique individual potentials.
Men and women choose to become teachers because they love children. They love to guide them along the right path. They love to teach them everything there is to learn about the world around them: past, present, and future. The teacher credential program at Pacific Oaks gives its graduates the tools and knowledge to handle today’s culturally diverse classrooms with dignity and respect for both the teachers and the students.
Learn more about Pacific Oaks College
Start your path to a California teaching credential. Pacific Oaks offers Preliminary credentials in Multiple Subject and Education Specialist teaching, joint degree-and-credential programs and an Online TK Certificate for credentialed teachers. Explore Teacher Credentialing Programs at Pacific Oaks or apply today through our application portal.
Frequently Asked Questions: Teacher Education Programs in California
What is a teacher education program?
A teacher education program is an accredited course of study that prepares candidates to work in K–12 classrooms, covering pedagogy, child development, and classroom management. In California, completing a teacher education program is only the first step; candidates must also earn a teaching credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) before they can teach in public schools.
What is the difference between an education degree and a teaching credential?
An education degree, such as a B.A. or M.A. in Education, provides academic knowledge in pedagogy and child development. A teaching credential is a separate, state-issued authorization that legally permits someone to teach in California public schools.
Without teacher credentialing, the education degree alone does not suffice. Pacific Oaks offers both pathways: stand-alone credential programs for those who already hold a degree, and blended programs that combine a degree with a credential.
How much do teachers earn in California?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the national median annual wage for elementary school teachers was $62,340 as of May 2024, with the highest 10% earning more than $102,010. California pays significantly above the national average.
The BLS reports a mean annual wage of $95,670 for California elementary school teachers as of May 2025, one of the highest figures among states in the country.
What is the job outlook for teachers in California?
Nationally, the BLS projects a 2% decline in kindergarten and elementary school teacher employment between 2024 and 2034.
Despite this, the BLS still projects approximately 103,800 job openings each year over the decade, driven almost entirely by the need to replace teachers who retire or leave the profession.
In California specifically, the Learning Policy Institute reports an ongoing high need for qualified teachers, particularly in special education, science, and mathematics, fields where demand continues to outpace the projected national trend.
What are the requirements to enter a teacher education program in California?
Most teacher education programs require a completed bachelor’s degree, though some institutions, including Pacific Oaks, offer blended programs that allow candidates to pursue an undergraduate degree and teaching credential simultaneously.
Candidates must also satisfy California’s Basic Skills Requirement and demonstrate subject-matter competency, typically through exams such as the CSET, before being recommended for a credential.
Does Pacific Oaks offer teacher education programs online?
Most Pacific Oaks credential programs are delivered in person at the Pasadena campus, since fieldwork and student teaching hours must be completed in California classrooms. The exception is the Online Transitional Kindergarten Certificate, offered fully online for credentialed teachers who want to qualify to teach TK.
What teacher education and credentialing programs does Pacific Oaks offer?
Pacific Oaks offers stand-alone Preliminary credential programs in Multiple Subject and Education Specialist teaching, blended B.A. and M.A. degree-and-credential programs, Bilingual Authorization in Spanish and Mandarin, and an Online TK Certificate for credentialed teachers.
