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 through 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 the 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 that are available for those who wish to work in education. 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
- Determine which grade level you wish to teach
- Earn the appropriate teaching credential from an accredited college*
- Maintain your teaching credential
In order 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 teaching credential in the level in which they would like to teach.
To ensure that Pacific Oak graduates will be prepared for successful careers in administration or in 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 Teaching Credentialing requirements may vary, 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 Western Association of Colleges & Senior Colleges (WSCUC). In addition to WASC accreditation, the certification program must also be on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved programs list.
Required Credentials by Education Level
Elementary School
Special Education
Click here to view a Teacher Credentialing Virtual Information Session Video
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 B.A., M.A., and Stand-Alone teacher education degree programs 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 Credentials Office page.
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.
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
- Director
- Kindergarten Teacher
- Grade School Teacher
- High School Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- Teacher Assistant or Aide