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About the College

The faculty of the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, regionally focused and nationally recognized, is committed to excellence, innovation, and social justice. Excellence includes the acquisition of professional dispositions, skills, and research-based knowledge, and is demonstrated by the development of ethical and caring professionals—faculty, staff, candidates—and those they serve. Innovation occurs through the leadership and commitment of faculty, and through collaborative partnerships among communities of diverse learners who engage in creative and reflective thinking. We are dedicated to promoting social justice and becoming agents of change in schools and our communities.

The College of Education

The College of Education is composed of the departments of Deaf Studies, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Educational Psychology and Counseling, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Special Education, and offers 27 credential programs. All programs are accredited.

Vision Statement

The Faculty vision for the College is that of a dynamic organization vital to the growth and development of Southern California, particularly the greater San Fernando Valley. In addition, the College shall be nationally and internationally recognized as being at the forefront of efforts to shape and improve teaching and learning. College students and faculty will reflect the diversity of the local community, be well-prepared to meet their professional responsibilities, experience pride and satisfaction in their accomplishments, and commit themselves to life-long learning.

Mission

The primary mission of the College of Education is to prepare teachers, counselors, administrators, and other professionals to serve the diverse educational needs of the region.

To fulfill this mission, faculty:

  • design, deliver, and continually improve highly effective programs for pre-professionals through advanced graduate and professional levels;
  • promote and are influenced by the reciprocal relationship between scholarship and practice;
  • collaborate with colleagues across the campus and in other professional and community settings as partners in the mission; and
  • provide leadership in teaching, learning, assessment, and professional development for diverse community within and outside the University.

In all of these endeavors, creativity and excellence of practice is rewarded, the potential of all learners is recognized, and critical inquiry and reflection are valued.

Conceptual Framework

The faculty of the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, regionally focused and nationally recognized, is committed to excellence, innovation, and social justice. Excellence includes the acquisition of professional dispositions, skills, and research-based knowledge, and is demonstrated by the development of ethical and caring professionals—faculty, staff, candidates—and those they serve. Innovation occurs through the leadership and commitment of faculty, and through collaborative partnerships among communities of diverse learners who engage in creative and reflective thinking. We are dedicated to promoting social justice and becoming agents of change in schools and our communities. We continually strive to achieve the following competencies and values that form the foundation of the Conceptual Framework.

The University

California State University, Northridge, one of the largest of the 23 campuses of The California State University system, is located twenty-five miles northwest of central Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb with a multi-ethnic population of over one million people. The university enrolls approximately 28,000 students (20,500 FTEs) of which one-half are ethnic minorities, supported by approximately 4,000 faculty and staff. Eight Colleges offer baccalaureate degrees in 51 disciplines, master's degrees in 44 fields, and 27 credentials in the field of education.

Program Specializations

Our array of program specializations include:

Secondary School Teacher - Secondary Education

Become a specialist with a masters in Science Education, Educational Technology, Mathematics Education, English Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or Multicultural/Multilingual Education, and/or each at a high school or middle school with a single subject credential in many areas including:

  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • English
  • Geosciences
  • Health
  • Science
  • Home
  • Economics
  • Other Languages
  • Mathematics
  • Music
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Social Science

For a complete list of single subject credential programs, click here.

Elementary School Teacher - Elementary Education

Teach at a elementary school with a multiple subjects credential.

Administrator - Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Become a school principal, assistant principal, or other administrator with an administrative credential, masters or doctorate.

Counselor, Psychologist - Educational Psychology

Become a school psychologist, school counselor, career counselor, college counselor, or a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice or positions in public schools, social agencies, community colleges and universities or business and industry and related settings.

Special Education Teacher - Special Education

Earn an education specialist credential or masters to work with students with special needs, including the gifted and those with disabilities.

Interpreter or Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Deaf Studies

Prepare for professional careers as sign language interpreters, sign language instructors, government specialists, teachers of the deaf, community service coordinators/advocates, and many other deaf-related vocations.