Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Certificate

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Total Credit Hours Required: 24 Credit Hours  

Maximum Allowable Transfer Units: Students transferring in early childhood education (ECE) units do not qualify for the TK Certificate; however, they may complete their outstanding ECE units at the College. Upon completion of 24 ECE units, these students will receive verification of completion documentation.

Program Admissions Requirements:  

• Application for Admission 
• Application Fee 
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended 
• Conferred Bachelor’s Degreebachelor’s degree (any major) 
• Preliminary or clear K-8 teaching credential

Tuition and Fees - Tuition and Fees for the College and individual programs can be found here: Financial Aid and Student Accounts Policies

Licensure Disclosures - The Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Certificate fulfills the early childhood education/child development units required for Senate Bill 837. SB 837 states that a credentialed (or preliminary credentialed) teacher must have 24 units of early childhood education/child development to teach TK in a California school district.

Number of Admit Terms Per Year:  

Ground (3) 

• Fall Session I 
• Spring Session I 
• Summer Session I 

*Dependent upon enrollment 

Online (6) 

• Fall Session I and II* 
• Spring Session I and II* 
• Summer Session I and II* 

*Dependent upon enrollment

Program Overview and Philosophy  

Pacific Oaks’ TK Certificate prepares credentialed teachers to integrate Pacific Oaks’ transformative approach in transitional kindergarten classrooms.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) 

• Evaluate national trends, theory, and research-based educational and administrative practices in early childhood education leadership. 
• Conduct observations for typically and atypically developing children in an early childhood setting. Utilize and evaluate various assessment tools and inquiry strategies to assess potential cultural bias and stereotypes. 
• Generate, implement, and evaluate educational curricula for the cognitive, social, and emotional needs of students in an early childhood environment. 
• Identify concerns evident in the classroom and formulate solutions to address these concerns. Advocate for children and families in the resolution of them. 
• Design and implement outcome- based learning experiences using action research for the teaching and learning of students in an early childhood classroom. 
• Demonstrate critical thinking and creative processes through ethical and professional decision-making working with children, families, communities, and educational leadership in the early childhood field. Evaluate the impact of these decisions. 

Program- Specific Requirements  

All 24 units of Pacific Oaks coursework must be taken to fulfill the requirements for the TK Certificate. Students who transfer in ECE coursework may take the outstanding units; however, rather than receiving the TK Certificate, they will receive verification of completion documentation 

All ground courses are considered Blended as each has an online component (Canvas) 

Residence Requirement- To obtain the TK Certificate, all 24 units must be completed at the College. Students transferring in ECE units may complete their outstanding ECE units to receive verification of completion documentation.  

Course Length - Please refer to the program course and delivery section found here: Academic Calendar  

Graduation requirements: Students are required to submit the Petition for Certificate Completion and fee to the Office of the Registrar the semester before they anticipate completing their certificate requirements. Students must submit the application, settle all outstanding fees with the Student Finance Office, satisfy any deficiencies, and be in good standing in their program for the TK Certificate to be awarded