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# Academics
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B.A. in Early Childhood Education
Interested in becoming a teacher? Purse one of the following early childhood education degrees, and teaching credentials offered at Pacific Oaks College.
 On-Campus Programs
 Online Programs
M.A. in Early Childhood Education
Interested in taking on leadership roles in education? Consider some of the following masters degrees in early childhood education offered at Pacific Oaks College.
Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education
Earn the highest level of degree available in early childhood education.
M.A. in Education
Pacific Oaks’s unique classroom experience provides the right environment for you to pursue your M.A. in Education, and develop your unique teaching skills. Check out our selection of online and on-campus M.A. in Education programs below.
B.A. in Community Psychology
This Community Psychology degree program prepares graduates to enhance community wellness through a combination of research, analysis, and action.
Cultural and Family Studies
This program offers an alternative for those who are interested in Marriage and Family Therapy but do not wish to pursue licensure.
B.A. in Human Development
Pacific Oaks’ human development undergraduate program introduces the sociological, emotional, biological, and psychological factors that contribute to an individual's development.
M.A. in Human Development
The M.A. in Human Development degree programs from Pacific Oaks College can help your career and provide you with real-world experience to demonstrate to current and future employers your ability to make a difference in the culture of organizations and communities.
M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
The Pacific Oaks’ Business Administration degrees prepare students for a wide range of career opportunities in the field of business. Explore our on-campus and online business management opportunities below.
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT
Organizational leaders and managers are an integral part of the business world. Prepare yourself for an exciting career in leadership positions with one of our organizational leadership degree programs listed below.
The Bachelors in Early Childhood Education curriculums at Pacific Oaks are based on a constructivist framework, responsive to multiple sources of diversity in the education of children.
The Pacific Oaks’ M.A. in Education gives students the opportunity to explore leadership roles in education spaces, having positive impacts on their learning environments and the community at large.
Teacher Credentialing Stand Alone Programs
Students in these teaching credentialing programs learn about essential principles of pedagogy and child development while receiving the appropriate teaching credentials for the state of California.
## ACADEMICS AT A GLANCE
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* Business and Management Degree Programs
# Business and Management Degree Programs
## What are business and management?
Business and management are professional fields that focus on understanding the essential aspects of successful organizational operations. This can include areas such as leadership and management, project management, oral and written communication, marketing, team building, data and financial analysis, human resources, and ethical awareness.
Understanding the diverse range of skills needed to lead a successful business, nonprofit, or social service organization can help those seeking a career in management within a current organization or benefit anyone hoping to build their own.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook, employment in  and  are projected to grow 7% from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth is expected to be driven by the formation of new organizations and the expansion of existing ones, which may require more workers to manage these operations.
## Why choose a degree in business and management from Pacific Oaks?
**Pacific Oaks is excited to announce our new Leadership Scholarship for B.S Business Administration and M.A. Organizational Leadership & Management students who are accepted to attend our Pasadena campus. Visit our  to learn more.**
Pacific Oaks College’s in-person and online business and management programs prepare graduates to lead and thrive within dynamic, sustainable organizations capable of balancing social responsibility with operational effectiveness. The application of analytical and leadership training prepares graduates for a broader range of positions than traditional business administration programs. Particularly, as the need for analytics and leadership skillsets increases in the business world, professionals who can tackle complex business problems are in demand more than ever before.
The in-person and online business and management degree programs at Pacific Oaks College are based upon the theory that excellence in leadership requires knowledge, skills, analytical training, and extensive self-awareness in order to create or direct a successful organization with sustainable value. Unlike more traditional programs, the courses in Pacific Oaks’ programs integrate business and leadership theory with the development of management skills to understand how to directly impact organizational needs.
## What Can You Do With a Business Degree?
The world of business is vast for graduates of the Business and Management programs at Pacific Oaks. There are many different opportunities and career paths to explore post-graduation. The Pacific Oaks in-person and online business and management degree programs prepare students with an understanding of business that can be applied to different careers such as:
* Finance (auditor, analyst, accountant)
* Marketing (research, analysis)
* Sales (manager, director)
* Nonprofit (executive director, strategic consultant)
* Education (dean of student services, advancement director)
* Human resources (manager, analyst)
* Entrepreneur
### Does Pacific Oaks College Offer Online Business Programs?
Yes. All of our business and management degree programs are offered in Pasadena, California, and online. If you are looking for a flexible business program that best suits your time frame and needs, learn more about our online  and our online .
## OUR PROGRAMS
### Pasadena
### Online
* Early Childhood Education Programs at Pacific Oaks
# Early Childhood Education Programs at Pacific Oaks
## What is Early Childhood Education?
Early childhood education (ECE) is a theory of education regarding young children, generally including preschool, kindergarten, and first through third grade. While specific applications vary, much of ECE theory is based on the idea that children learn best through exploration and doing. The scholars Jean Piaget, Erik Erikson, John Dewey, and Lucy Sprague Mitchell were instrumental in guiding ECE to focus on children learning through play. This school of thought emphasizes the idea that playing meets a child’s physical, intellectual, language, emotional, and social (PILES) needs.
Pacific Oaks offers several early childhood education degree programs for anyone interested in becoming a teacher, principal, or a leader in the education field.
These degrees in early childhood education focus on evidence-based learning, child development, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that can be applied when molding the future of childhood education.
## How Do I Become a Teacher in California?
*At a glance:*
1. Determine which grade level you wish to teach.
2. Earn the appropriate  from an accredited college.\*
3. Maintain your teaching credential.
To become a teacher in California, teachers are required to have their B.A. or M.A. degree, as well as a teaching credential for the level that they wish to teach. Our in-person or online teacher credential programs can be part of a blended bachelor’s degree program or can be stand-alone for those who already have their bachelor’s degree. Teaching credentialing . Some states do maintain reciprocity agreements, allowing people who have been issued certifications in one state to apply for similar credentials in others—although some additional coursework may be necessary.
\* Pacific Oaks College is accredited by the . In addition to WASC accreditation, the online Early Childhood Education certification program must also be on the 
## Additional Careers in Early Childhood Education
In addition to teaching, graduates of our early childhood education programs can find rewarding careers in public or private schools, childcare programs, state agencies, and nonprofits in the following roles:
* Childcare/Preschool administrator
* Principal (requires master’s degree)
* Assistant director
* Education Policy Analyst (requires doctorate)
* School Superintendent (requires master’s degree, Ed.D. degree recommended)
* ECE Professor (requires ECE doctorate)
## Why choose an Early Childhood Education degree in California?
Pacific Oaks, based in Pasadena, California has been instrumental in shaping the field of ECE since the U.S. government asked us to launch one of the nation’s first Head Start training programs in 1964.
Our programs in early childhood education integrate Pacific Oaks’ transformative approach to early childhood education with a strong grounding in theory, research, and hands-on experience.
Students in our Early Childhood Education degree programs, online or in California, will have the opportunity to work with children and families from underrepresented and underprivileged areas. Our courses in early childhood development include collaborating with educational administrators and leaders on projects including program evaluation, business process, and creating and implementing policies and practices.
## Ed.D. Early Childhood Education
As part of our growing ECE program, both online and in Pasadena, California, our early childhood education doctorate prepares graduates for a variety of ECE-related careers. The Doctor of Education in Early Childhood Education program is the highest level of education to be achieved in this field.
The Ed.D. Early Childhood Education program encourages graduates to evaluate outcome-based learning experiences, analyze education policies for areas of improvement, use critical thinking and data in molding the ECE career fields for future generations, and train future educators in the core values for a positive impact.
## Benefits of Online Early Childhood Education Degrees:
Pacific Oaks offers a variety of  for those who do not live in California or need extra flexibility in their schedule. Our child development degrees online aim to prepare students for the working world of early childhood education.
​​Online ECE courses at Pacific Oaks are offered through —an advanced interactive distance learning tool for easy access to instructors, coursework, and learning materials. Please view our s before choosing our online early childhood education bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate programs.
Learn about the degree specializations available to candidates in the bachelor’s or master’s degree programs in early childhood education that will help set you apart in leadership as you progress.
To find out more about the B.A., M.A., or Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education degree programs, complete the form below.
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## **OUR PROGRAMS**
## Pasadena, California
## Online
* Education Programs
# Education Programs at Pacific Oaks
## What is Education?
The study of Education examines how people learn. Through methods including storytelling, discussion, teaching, and training, education degrees prepare individuals to become teachers or administrators in settings ranging from preschool and kindergarten to college.
One of the education field’s most significant milestones took place in 1964 as part of Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was enacted, which included a series of programs intended to address economic inequality in the United States. One of these programs was Project Head Start.
Head Start was established specifically to address the educational needs of disadvantaged children. Following the Cooke Report, many schools—including Pacific Oaks—were tasked with providing training for Head Start instructors and administrators. As a result of these efforts, more than 22 million low-income children have benefited from the Head Start program.
Currently, education in the United States is in a state of significant reform. With new legislation aimed at improving preschool, kindergarten, primary, and secondary education—like STEM and ESSA—there are many new opportunities in education programs for those who wish to work in the field. It has been estimated that, in California alone, there is a record demand for qualified teachers.
Working in the education field is incredibly rewarding. If you’re interested in pursuing a Master’s in Education, Pacific Oaks is here for you.
## Can I become a teacher with an Education degree?
*At a glance*
1. Determine which grade level you wish to teach
2. Earn the appropriate teaching credential from an accredited college\*
3. Maintain your teaching credential
To teach in the state of California, candidates must have a B.A. or M.A. degree (from a regionally accredited institution) and hold a  at the level at which they would like to teach. Pacific Oaks College’s Master’s Degree in Education programs satisfy the educational requirements.
To ensure that Pacific Oak graduates will be prepared for successful careers in administration or the classroom, all of our Master’s in Education programs are built to satisfy the educational requirements for either the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential or the Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential.
Even though their , many states hold reciprocity agreements—allowing teachers who have received certifications in one state to apply those to meet the education requirements in another.
*\*Pacific Oaks College is accredited by the . In addition to WASC accreditation, the certification program must also be on the* 
## Required Credentials by Education Level
#### Elementary School
#### Special Education
## Teacher Credentialing Virtual Information Session
During this recording of an information session, you’ll learn about the Teaching Credentialing process for Elementary Education and Special Education teachers in California, and how the  at Pacific Oaks College can 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.
## Credentials Office
For more information to assist you in your journey to obtain your California Preliminary Teaching Credential, visit the .
## Why choose a Master’s in Education degree from Pacific Oaks?
Pacific Oaks’ unique classroom experience provides the foundation from which excellent teachers can develop. Incorporating both experiential learning and emergent curriculum, students are encouraged to reflect on their own life experiences and help guide classroom discussion. This results in a capacity to relate theories and subjects to each unique individual, building a global worldview that can be applied to relating the material to children from diverse backgrounds.
In addition to reflecting on your life experiences in the classroom, you will also have the opportunity to apply theory to real-world practice. Fieldwork is available in various regions in California, providing an extensive experience that can set you apart. Fieldwork is available in over 25 schools in various regions in California, providing an extensive experience that can set you apart.
Pacific Oaks offers Master’s in Education online programs, acknowledging that many working adults need flexibility in their continuing education to complete their degree. We offer both the Master’s Degree in Special Education and the Master’s Degree in Elementary Education online.
Our experienced faculty has developed innovative curriculum and tools that are widely used in early childhood and teacher training programs—both in the U.S. and throughout the world. Having an exceptional reputation for learning through play and other ground-breaking curriculum, Pacific Oaks established the anti-bias curriculum that has now been implemented in schools and is often required reading in early childhood teacher training courses.
## Careers in Education
Graduates from our Master’s in Education programs can work in various career paths including:
* Director
* Kindergarten Teacher
* Grade School Teacher
* High School Teacher
* Special Education Teacher
* Teacher Assistant or Aide
## FAQs
**How long does it take to complete the** **Master’s in Education programs****?**
The duration to complete a master’s program at Pacific Oaks varies. Typically, a Master’s in Education can be completed in  1.5 years full-time or 2.5 years part-time. Forty-three credits are required for completion.
**Do I need to be a full-time student? Are part-time programs available?**
No, you don’t need to be a full-time student. Pacific Oaks offers flexibility for students to earn their degrees. Both full-time and part-time options are available for our master’s degree programs in education.
**What are the prerequisites/admissions requirements for entering the** **master’s in education program****?**
The admission requirements for the Master’s in Education programs are as follows:
* Completed Application for Admission
* Application Fee
* Resume
* Personal Statement
* Official Transcripts from a Regionally Accredited Bachelor’s Degree Granting Institution Showing Date of Degree Conferral
* Successfully meet the Basic Skills Requirement. Visit the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to learn about tests and classes that qualify to pass this requirement, including the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST).
* Letter of Recommendation is required for students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.5
* Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College
### **How do I apply for the** **Master’s in Education** **programs?**
To apply for a Master’s in Education program at Pacific Oaks, you need to submit an application form, pay an application fee, and provide academic transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation. Check the specific requirements for each program on the  for details.
### Pasadena, California