California Lutheran University

Founded in 1959, California Lutheran University (CLU) is part of a 500-year-old tradition of Lutheran higher education--a tradition that expects you to ask the big questions--and find your own answers.

CLU is dedicated to excellence at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Our intimate size and beautiful location create the perfect setting for lively debate, and a learning environment that values the individual.

School of Education

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Teach one child, touch one life, and you touch a whole community. CLU's NCATE accredited School of Education offers credentials and graduate programs that prepare our students to be the leaders who touch lives and inspire future generations. As a student in CLU's School of Education, you become a member of a community designed to build character, foster professional achievement and teach the skills that yield caring and competent educators.

What Makes Us Unique?

• Outstanding faculty combining academic strength with professional experience.
• Professional relevance and applied learning.
• Spectacular reputation with the surrounding school districts.
• Small classes fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and support.
• Evening classes scheduled for the convenience of fully employed students.
• Three campuses to choose from: classes are offered at the main campus in Thousand Oaks, the Woodland Hills Graduate Center and the Oxnard Graduate Center.

Teacher Preparation Program

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CLU's Teacher Preparation Program is committed to helping you become an effective instructor, one who helps move all students toward mastery of California state teaching standards.

The Teacher Preparation Program provides emphasis on teaching those students who are learning English. All observations and student teaching placements are done in settings that exemplify effective teaching to the standards to diverse student populations and there is strong and obvious linkage between academic course work and student teaching.

Students at CLU may pursue either of two teaching credentials:

• Multiple Subject Credential - which qualifies the holder to teach in self-contained classrooms.
• Single Subject Credential - which qualifies the holder to teach in compartmentalized classrooms.

Both credential programs include both course work and student teaching. They offer a strong emphasis on effectively teaching the California academic content standards to English learners as well as a strong linkage between course work and student teaching.

The Teacher Preparation Program is accredited by both the California Council of Teacher Education (CCTC) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

MA in Curriculum & Instruction

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The majority of the students in the Master of Arts (MA) in Curriculum and Instruction program are classroom teachers who are seeking to gain the strategies and experiences that will enable them to seek and assume curriculum leadership roles in public schools. Students in the program use their own professional settings as a place to hone critical thinking skills and develop a reflective practice.

The curriculum and instruction program was specially designed for the classroom teacher. It serves four types of populations:

• Educators who have California credentials and wish to further their education and earn more credits for pay increases.
• Educators who wish to earn an advanced or specialized certificate in educational technology or reading.
• Educators who hold out-of-state teaching credentials with no master's degree and need post-baccalaureate units to qualify for the California credential.
• Educators and other professionals who provide training for people in organizations and industry.

MA in Educational Leadership

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Schools today need 21st-century leaders who are knowledgeable, reflective and have the ability to work across a diverse array of constituents. They need administrative leaders who can promote the success of their students and ensure a safe, efficient and effective learning environment.

The Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Leadership prepares candidates whose future career goals include leadership within an educational organization, including:

• Principalship
• Teacher leadership and mentoring
• Curriculum development
• Superintendency

The master's degree program is a 36-unit program, which includes the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (24 units).

MEd in Teaching

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After completing the credential requirements through the Teaching Preparation Program, students may pursue the Master of Education degree (MEd). Throughout the Teacher Preparation program, students will have worked consistently on the application of theory to practice.

In the MEd program, students focus on the importance of research in the development of theory and will eventually do their own action research project as a culminating experience. The degree consists of 33 units of graduate work and a presentation of the research project. Of that 33 units, 24 come from the course work taken in methods and student teaching. An additional 3 courses are required to complete the MEd.

MS in Counseling & Guidance

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In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, never has there been a greater need for knowledgeable, reflective, principled school and college counselors and support professionals.

California Lutheran University's Master of Science (MS) in Counseling and Guidance provides a highly respected, relevant and engaging academic program renowned for developing exceptional counselors throughout California and beyond.

Offered through CLU's School of Education and accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the program is an ideal fit for talented, motivated professionals looking to make meaningful contributions in counseling and educational support services.

The program offers two distinct specializations:

• Pupil Personnel Services
• College Student Personnel

MS in Deaf & Hard of Hearing

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This master's degree program is designed for working professionals who wish to enter the fascinating field of teaching children and youth who are deaf or hard of hearing. Students will learn how to promote listening, spoken language and communication using the latest technologies, including cochlear implants.

Specialized course work is offered in:

• Audiology
• Speech
• Linguistics
• Aural habilitation
• Literacy

The above are integrated into a program of study which includes fieldwork and practicum experiences with families, infants and toddlers, as well as middle and high school students.

MS in Special Education

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Students in the Master of Science (MS) in Special Education credential programs benefit from an intentional integration of theoretical knowledge with an abundance of opportunities for the practical application of that knowledge in meaningful settings.

The credential programs feature specialized tracks in:

• Mild to Moderate (M/M) Disabilities
• Moderate to Severe (M/S) Disabilities

Our program is distinctive from similar programs in the region due to the extensive, personal support and empowerment training provided to students. Classes rarely exceed 20 students, and the faculty is comprised of highly regarded professionals practicing in the field.

California Lutheran University's credential programs in special education blend theoretical instruction with opportunities for the practical application of knowledge and offer outstanding teachers an ideal avenue for heightening their effectiveness and advancing their careers.

Offered through CLU's School of Education and accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Preliminary Level I Education Specialist and the Clear Level II Education Specialist credential programs are often taken concurrently with the Master of Science degree and are offered in the mild to moderate or moderate to severe disabilities specializations. Part of the program also offers course work to obtain a Resource Specialist Certificate.

EdD in Educational Leadership (P - 12)

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As today's landscape of education continues to undergo rapid changes in technology, economy and culture, administrative leaders within school systems must be equipped with the skills, knowledge and vision to steer institutions through this ongoing evolution.

California Lutheran University's Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership empowers seasoned professionals to further enhance their abilities and position themselves for heightened leadership roles.

Offered through CLU's School of Education and accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the program provides the conceptual lenses, tools of inquiry and values to positively influence educational organizations and the people who learn and work in them.

EdD in Higher Education Leadership

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California Lutheran University's Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Leadership empowers college and university administrators to take on heightened leadership roles in such areas as:

• Student affairs
• Academic leadership
• Institutional advancement
• Athletic administration
• Institutional assessment

The purpose of the EdD in Higher Education Leadership is to prepare reflective and principled leaders for higher education who:

• Understand the individual, organizational and societal dynamics that affect college students and their success
• Are effective in leading positive organizational change
• Are actively engaged in the national and international conversations surrounding the critical issues affecting higher education

Adult Degree Evening Program

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BA in Liberal Studies

The liberal studies evening program is designed to meet the needs of students who want to continue working while they complete their bachelor's degree. This degree prepares students to enter a teacher preparation program or provides a multidisciplinary degree for those simply wishing to complete a bachelor's degree.

Some of the courses in this major will also apply toward the requirements for a teaching credential.

This accelerated program is an excellent opportunity for paraprofessionals and others working in a K-12 school to complete their BA and then continue on to pursue their teaching credential. Upon graduation (with a minimum 2.7 GPA), prospective teachers in the program will be eligible to apply to enter CLU's well-regarded Teacher Preparation Program (TPP).

Information

If you are interested in this school and would like to find out more, please Request Information from California Lutheran University - Thousand Oaks.