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.

Pacific Oaks alumna Betsy Brown Braun, a nationally recognized expert in child development and parenting support, has be...
01/16/2026

Pacific Oaks alumna Betsy Brown Braun, a nationally recognized expert in child development and parenting support, has been honored by Marquis Who’s Who for her pioneering career spanning more than four decades. 🌿💚

Braun earned her master’s degree in human development from Pacific Oaks College. Her work bridges professional expertise and lived experience, including founding Parenting Pathways Inc., authoring parenting resources, and helping shape the profession of child development and behavior specialists.

🔗 Read more: 24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/527050

Pacific Oaks College offers Marriage and Family Therapy programs grounded in cultural humility, relational learning, and...
01/14/2026

Pacific Oaks College offers Marriage and Family Therapy programs grounded in cultural humility, relational learning, and social justice.

Our MFT degree programs prepare graduates to sit for the California MFT exams and pursue licensure through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, while developing the skills to support individuals, couples, and families with empathy and care.

If you’re considering a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, we’re here to help you take the next step. 💚

🔗 Learn more: pacificoaks.edu/marriage-and-family-therapy-programs

We’re proud to celebrate the release of The Community Solution: The Power of Radical Cooperation in Higher Education by ...
01/13/2026

We’re proud to celebrate the release of The Community Solution: The Power of Radical Cooperation in Higher Education by Michael Horowitz, Ph.D., founder and chancellor of The Community Solution Education System, a nonprofit network of six colleges and universities — including Pacific Oaks College.

The book brings to life the power of radical cooperation, demonstrating how institutions can work collaboratively across a system to address shared challenges while honoring each school’s unique mission and identity.

At Pacific Oaks College, these principles show up through our deep commitment to community, inclusive and relational learning, and education rooted in social justice — values that have guided our work for nearly 80 years.

🌿💚 Swipe to explore Pacific Oaks College’s story as the first institution to join The Community Solution Education System.

Now available wherever books are sold online.

The Pasadena Community Foundation’s Local Heroes event highlighted investments made to support the community in the afte...
01/09/2026

The Pasadena Community Foundation’s Local Heroes event highlighted investments made to support the community in the aftermath of the Eaton fire.

Pacific Oaks College was honored to stand alongside local leaders and partners committed to recovery, resilience, and collective care. Swipe to learn more about how the Pacific Oaks community contributed. 🌿💚

Photos (left to right):
Fiona Stewart, Pacific Oaks PCF Project Director; Ann Rector, foundation volunteer; President McGrath; Fiona Stewart; Khanh Russo, President & CEO of the Pasadena Community Foundation; Jeannine Bogaard, Vice President of Community Impact.

01/09/2026

Spring term is officially underway! 🌱
 
As you settle into the rhythm of Spring classes, remember, you’re not navigating this journey alone. Martha Hernandez, Director of Student Engagement, and the entire Pacific Oaks team are here to support you every step of the way.
 
Whether you’re looking for academic guidance, campus resources, or simply a friendly point of connection, we’re just a message away. Your growth, well-being, and success matter here. 💚

✉️postudentaffairs@pacificoaks.edu
 

The power of community means your lived experience is as valuable as any textbook. 🎓🌳Trauma. Resilience. Growth.These wo...
01/08/2026

The power of community means your lived experience is as valuable as any textbook. 🎓🌳

Trauma. Resilience. Growth.

These words reflect the journey of Pacific Oaks alumna Sky Lea Ross (M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy). Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder at age 15 after experiencing abuse, Ross refused to let her past define her future.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in gender studies, she found her way to Pacific Oaks College, where she discovered an academic environment that honored lived experience as a source of knowledge and strength.

Ross shares that the Pacific Oaks curriculum allowed her to connect theory with life — in the classroom and beyond — preparing her to serve others with empathy, insight, and purpose.

💚 This story is part of The Power of Community, highlighting how members of the Pacific Oaks family create lasting impact where it’s needed most.

One year later, the impact of community still stands strong. 🌿Today marks one year since the Eaton Fire forever changed ...
01/07/2026

One year later, the impact of community still stands strong. 🌿

Today marks one year since the Eaton Fire forever changed life in Altadena and surrounding communities. In the wake of that devastation, Pacific Oaks College stepped forward, not just as an institution, but as a neighbor, partner, and advocate for early childhood providers and the families who depend on them.

Over the past year, Pacific Oaks has helped more than 40 child-care providers rebuild, distributing critical funding, resources, and hands-on support to ensure children, families, and student parents could continue to learn, work, and heal.

Our roots began in early childhood education nearly 80 years ago. Supporting those who care for our youngest learners isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are.

We are honored to be recognized by Inside Higher Ed for this work, and we remain committed to long-term recovery, equity, and community care, today and always. 💚

🔗 Read the full story in Inside Higher Ed: https://ow.ly/CXqw50XT4wA

01/05/2026

Happy first day of Spring classes! 🌿

We hope you begin the new semester with renewed intention, perspective, and purpose.

Whether you’re nearing graduation, balancing school with work and family, or studying online or at our Pasadena campus, your Pacific Oaks community is here to support you every step of the way. 💚

As we welcome 2026, we look ahead with hope, joy, and a deep commitment to the values that guide us: inclusion, respect,...
01/01/2026

As we welcome 2026, we look ahead with hope, joy, and a deep commitment to the values that guide us: inclusion, respect, and social justice. 🌿

Our community remains curious, empathetic, and dedicated to supporting students, families, educators, and advocates in the year ahead. We’re envisioning continued growth, connection, and learning in 2026. 💚

Happy New Year from all of us at Pacific Oaks College! 🎉🌿As we welcome 2026, we look forward with hope, joy, and a deep ...
12/31/2025

Happy New Year from all of us at Pacific Oaks College! 🎉🌿

As we welcome 2026, we look forward with hope, joy, and a deep commitment to the values that guide us: inclusion, respect, and social justice.

We are grateful for the ways our community showed up for one another in 2025, and we remain dedicated to supporting students, families, educators, and advocates in the year ahead.

Here’s to growth, connection, and learning in 2026. 💚

As the year comes to a close, we’re filled with gratitude as we reflect on some of our favorite moments from 2025 at Pac...
12/30/2025

As the year comes to a close, we’re filled with gratitude as we reflect on some of our favorite moments from 2025 at Pacific Oaks College. 💚

This season, we honor the rich diversity and shared humanity that make our community strong, vibrant, and deeply connected.

May 2026 bring you warmth, reflection, learning, and moments of joy — and may we continue to grow together in purpose and community. 🌿



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Con el cierre del año, ¡estamos llenos de agradeciciento y nos gustaria reflexionar con algunos de nuestros momentos favoritos del 2025! 💚

Esta temporada, celebramos la diversidad que hace que nuestra comunidad sea tan fuerte, vibrante y profundamente unida. ¡Deseamos que 2026 continue brindando calidez, reflexión, aprendizaje, y momentos llenos de alegria! Seguiremos creciendo juntos con proposito y para nuestra comunidad.🌿

Happy Holidays from all of us at Pacific Oaks College! 🎇💚This season, we celebrate the rich diversity that makes our com...
12/24/2025

Happy Holidays from all of us at Pacific Oaks College! 🎇💚

This season, we celebrate the rich diversity that makes our community strong, vibrant, and connected. May your days be filled with warmth, reflection, and moments that bring you joy!



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¡Felices fiestas de parte de todos nosotros en Pacific Oaks College! 🎇💚

Esta temporada, celebramos la diversidad que hace que nuestra comunidad sea fuerte, vibrante y unida. ¡Deseamos que tus días estén llenos de calidez, reflexión y momentos que te traigan alegría!

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45 Eureka Street
Pasadena, CA
91103

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