Pacific Oaks Bachelor’s (B.A., B.S.W., or B.S) Admissions Requirements
(Social Work; Business Administration; Early Childhood Education; Community Psychology; Human Development; Teacher Credentialing)
Admission to the Bachelor’s program is open to any person who meets entrance requirements as outlined below. Applicants will be judged on their overall ability to successfully complete an undergraduate degree program. Generally, a high school cumulative GPA of a 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required for admission. However, applicants with a cumulative high school GPA below 2.0 will be considered for admission with the submission of additional required documents (see below). Applicants with college level studies will be expected to demonstrate an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. It is required that transcripts are submitted from all undergraduate schools where credit was received to support the application and request for transfer credit. (See Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policy).
Factors and materials to be considered for admission will include:
- Completed application and $55 application fee
- Interview with a member of the Admissions Committee
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College
- Personal statement
- Applicants must submit a resume showing three or more years of significant professional or life experience or an official transcript confirming 24 transferrable credit or credits from a regionally accredited institution
Applicants must provide proof of the qualifying conferral of high school graduation (or the equivalent) or proof of successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester credits at a regionally accredited post-secondary institution. Proof of qualifying academic history must be provided in one of the following ways:
- Official high school transcript recognized by the S. Department of Education showing an earned high school diploma, 2.0 GPA or higher, and date of graduation. A copy of a high school diploma, if transcripts are not immediately available, can be submitted with a contingency that original transcripts will be on file prior to day 5 of the term/semester of entry. Financial aid will not be disbursed until the compliant documentation is received.
- Official college transcript with 24 credits of transferable credits with a grade of C or
- Official Associate degree transcript from a regionally accredited institution showing degree earned and date conferred
- Official college transcript from a regionally-accredited institution that contains the high school name and date of graduation
- Official NACES, ACREVS or AICE evaluation of an international diploma that contains the high school name and date of graduation
- High school equivalency completed through home schooling as defined by state law
- Official General Educational Development (GED) A copy of the student’s GED Certificate, or 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 5 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
Applicants with a cumulative high school or undergraduate GPA below 2.0, applicants without three years of significant professional or life experience, or with less than 24 transferrable college credits 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 three pages, double spaced typed (approximately 500-750 words). In your essay, please answer the following question:
- What life and professional experience do you possess that would enable you to be successful in the Pacific Oaks classroom focused on application of experience to course
- Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes social justice, cultural humility and respect for every individual (refer to the Mission and Vision statement of Pacific Oaks College).
Additional Requirements for students interested in pursuing Elementary Education and/or Special Education concentrations:
For students entering with 40 or more transfer credits at the time of admission:
- Successfully complete CBEST (California Basic Education Skills Test) or meet the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)
- Proof of Registration for the CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers): Multiple Subjects exams
For students entering with fewer than 40 transfer credits at the time of admission:
Progression to a Credential Program Requirement:
Students who wish to pursue the BA Early Childhood Education degree with the Elementary Education and/or Special Education concentration must pass the CBEST or meet the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) by the conclusion of 40 GE credits in order to progress into a credential track program. Students who pass the CBEST or meet the Basic Skills Requirement, must also show verification of registration for the CSET exams. For more information on Teacher Credentialing, please visit the Credentials Office page of the website.
If a student does not pass the CBEST or meet the BSR by the conclusion of the 40 GE credits, they may progress in the BA ECE degree program and attempt the CBEST or BSR until they have successfully passed. At the time a student has successfully passed the CBEST or BSR, they may request a program transfer by completing the Program Transfer form found on the Registrar’s Office web page.
Passing CBEST or meeting the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) is the first step into a credential track program. In order to progress through a credential program and earn a California teaching credential, students will need to meet additional exam and CCTC requirements beyond successful completion of coursework.
Please note: Prior coursework will be evaluated as part of the Admissions process.
Pacific Oaks Master’s (M.A. or M.S.W.) Admissions Requirements
M.A. Early Childhood Education programs
- Completed Application for Admission
- Application Fee
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Official Transcripts from all institutions attended
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College
- Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in Early Childhood Education or Child Development*
*Students who do not have a B.A. in either Early Childhood Education or Child Development are admitted based on completion of approved courses from a regionally accredited college/university.
M.A. Education Programs
- Completed Application for Admission
- Application Fee
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher except in professional education from a regionally accredited institution
- 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
- 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. Human Development degree programs
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Completed Application for Admission
- Application Fee
- Resume
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Personal Statement
M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College
- Completed Application for Admission
- Application Fee
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Resume
- Personal statement
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Two letters of recommendation; one must be from a current or previous supervisor
- Interview
- Essay for specialization
Master of Social Work (M.S.W)
- Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree program from a regionally accredited degree-granting institution
- Demonstrated satisfaction of 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*)
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Faculty Interview
- Verified minimum of 500 hours of any paid or unpaid (volunteering or internship) work with a diverse, vulnerable population. (Example: hospitals, mental health centers, advocacy programs, universities, training departments, treatment centers, churches, care facilities, social service agencies, non-profit organizations, etc.). May be included on resume with a letter of reference from the supervisor.
*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 that they satisfy the statistics requirement as part of their course of study at Pacific Oaks College.
M.A. Organizational Leadership & Management
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Completed Application for Admission
- Application fee
- Resume
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Personal statement
Non-Degree Credential programs
- Completed Application for Admission
- Application Fee
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher except in professional education from a regionally accredited institution
- 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
- Letter of Recommendation required for students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.5
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College
Personal Statement
Your Pacific Oaks Application includes a Personal Statement, which provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your writing and communication skills. It also allows Pacific Oaks College to learn more about your educational goals. If given an offer of acceptance, your personal statement will be assessed for content, writing style, grammar and mechanics, as well as reflection and self-assessment. Based on an evaluation of your personal statement, upon matriculation you may be required to participate in the Academic Writing Seminar.
Personal Statement Format
The following format is required to ensure readability of your personal statement. Your essay must be a minimum of 500 words, and no more than 1,000.
To complete your personal statement, select the question below that applies to you:
- School of Cultural & Family Psychology applicants must answer question number one.
- Schools of Education and Human Development applicants may choose any question to answer.
- 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. Incorporate one source in your response as a means to support your statement. Lastly, explain how will you contribute and uphold the Pacific Oaks mission and core values during your course work and professional development.
- Describe a time when you needed to work in a team. Explain what skills are needed to be a part of a team and if working in a team environment is an effective method for learning. Incorporate one source in your response as a means to support your statement. Lastly, explain how will you contribute and uphold the Pacific Oaks mission and core values during your course work and professional development.
- Describe a challenge you have experienced with technology. Explain how that specific experience will aid you in your education and further use of technology as a learning tool. Incorporate one source in your response as a means to support your statement. Lastly, explain how will you contribute and uphold the Pacific Oaks mission and core values during your course work and professional development.