Pacific Oaks College

Pacific Oaks College www.pacificoaks.edu | We prepare passionate teachers & counselors to empower others, reduce bias and change attitudes.

Twitter | Instagram Pacific Oaks' campus is in Pasadena, Calif., and classes are also offered through our online campus. Founded more than 65 years ago by a small group of Quaker families, Pacific Oaks College is dedicated to the fundamental Quaker 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. Pacific Oaks is known for its progressive approach to learning—valuing real-world experiences as well as academic achievements. This philosophy is embodied through opportunities such as the Credit for Life Experience option, which allows students to gain academic credit for real-world experience acquired in the workplace. Students may earn up to 24 credits in this manner—credits which can be applied toward a bachelor's degree and count toward application for an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy or Human Development. Three basic concepts underlie the educational philosophy at Pacific Oaks:
•that every individual has a fundamental worth;
•that growth is a dynamic and life-long process;
•and that every individual has a unique identity and human potential. Pacific Oaks is accredited by the WASC Senior Colleges and Universities Commission (WSCUC), and has been since 1959.

Happy Global Day of Parents! 🌿💚Did you know? In 2012, the U.N. General Assembly declared the first-ever Global Day of Pa...
06/01/2026

Happy Global Day of Parents! 🌿💚

Did you know? In 2012, the U.N. General Assembly declared the first-ever Global Day of Parents. Today, we honor the caregivers, nurturers, advocates, and first teachers who shape the next generation.

At Pacific Oaks, we believe parents aren't just supporters of education—they're partners in it. Because you know your children better than anyone. You bring cultural knowledge, lived experience, and deep love that no curriculum can replicate.

Parenting is one of the most important, and most challenging, roles anyone can take on. And today, we celebrate every parent who shows up, loves fiercely, and refuses to give up. 💚🌿

"There were times I left class crying because I was challenged and growing." 💚🌿That's how Marnnie Francisco describes he...
05/29/2026

"There were times I left class crying because I was challenged and growing." 💚🌿

That's how Marnnie Francisco describes her Pacific Oaks journey—and it's exactly what transformative education looks like. Marnnie earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Pacific Oaks in 2024. She now has 15+ years in early childhood education, has presented for the LA County Office of Education, worked as a Senior Recruiter at Child Care Careers, and now serves as Bilingual Child Development Faculty at Cerro Coso Community College.

At Pacific Oaks, growth isn't always comfortable. It challenges you. It pushes you. It asks you to question what you know and who you're becoming. And it surrounds you with faculty who genuinely care about your success not just academically, but as a person.

Today, Marnnie carries that purpose forward. We're honored to call her a Pacific Oaks alum. 💚

The caps said it all 🎓 Every design told a different story. Honoring family, celebrating perseverance, sharing future go...
05/26/2026

The caps said it all 🎓
Every design told a different story. Honoring family, celebrating perseverance, sharing future goals, and capturing the moments that made the journey worthwhile.

The Pacific Oaks College Class of 2026 showed up with creativity, personality, and plenty of inspiration at commencement this year. Swipe to see some standout graduation cap designs ✨

Today, we pause to honor Memorial Day. 🌿We remember the U.S. military personnel who gave their lives in service to this ...
05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor Memorial Day. 🌿

We remember the U.S. military personnel who gave their lives in service to this country. We hold space for their families, their communities, and all who carry the weight of that loss.

At Pacific Oaks, we believe in honoring the complexity of service and sacrifice—and in working toward a future where peace, justice, and equity guide our path forward. 💚

05/23/2026

What would you say to your younger self just before crossing the threshold into a new chapter of life and learning?

We asked our recent Pacific Oaks College graduates, and our hearts are warmed by their thoughtful responses.

This is what community leadership looks like. 💚🌿After the Eaton Fire destroyed or damaged 34 childcare facilities in Pas...
05/22/2026

This is what community leadership looks like. 💚🌿

After the Eaton Fire destroyed or damaged 34 childcare facilities in Pasadena and Altadena, a partnership between Pacific Oaks College, Save the Children, Mattel, and the Pasadena Community Foundation was formed to deliver nearly $2 million in relief to 43 childcare sites.

It wasn't just about funding. It was about bringing joy back to children who'd experienced months of loss and disruption. When World of Little Angels reopened, kids discovered an enormous red box filled with toys; it was a moment of hope in the middle of recovery.

Read the full story: https://www.pacificoaks.edu/voices/from-the-magazine/nonprofit-partnership-delivers-toys-to-child-care-center-after-eaton-fire/

05/21/2026

Tassels turned, degrees earned, and a new chapter officially begins 🎓✨
Pacific Oaks College Class of 2026, your passion, resilience and commitment to meaningful change inspired every moment of this year’s commencement celebration.

05/20/2026

Pacific Oaks proudly welcomed a new generation of child care educators, and therapists to their fields at commencement this past weekend. Smiles were abundant, and so were “I always believed in you” moments as students walked the stage, transitioning to that next chapter.

At Pacific Oaks College, faculty don't just teach—they mentor, support, and walk alongside students through every challe...
05/20/2026

At Pacific Oaks College, faculty don't just teach—they mentor, support, and walk alongside students through every challenge. 💚🌿

Our online Master of Social Work program was designed for first-generation and nontraditional students navigating demanding schedules, family responsibilities, and the realities of life outside the classroom. We know your path isn't linear—and that's exactly what makes you strong.

With flexible online learning, strengths-based support, and faculty who understand what it takes to balance it all, Pacific Oaks creates a space where you don't just survive graduate school—you thrive.

Read how our faculty show up for MSW students every step of the way.
🔗 https://www.pacificoaks.edu/voices/from-the-magazine/master-of-social-work-first-generation-nontraditional-students/

05/15/2026

Meet the Pacific Oaks admissions team: more than just your guides, they’re your biggest cheerleaders!

From your first question to graduation day, the Pacific Oaks admissions team is with you every step of the way. They don't just help you apply, they help you feel you belong. They answer calls, ease worries, and celebrate wins. Most important, they don't disappear after you enroll. They're here for your entire journey.

This is what makes Pacific Oaks different. We don't just admit students—we invest in people. And our alumna that is now part of the admissions team? She’s proof of that commitment. 💚

Ready to start your journey? Reach out. We're here for you. 🌿

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45 Eureka Street
Pasadena, CA
91103

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