Student Program Pathways

Undergraduate Students

You can begin coursework toward the PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential through the following on-campus program: B.A. in Early Childhood (concentration in PK-3 Teacher Preparation). The courses are offered primarily in person.

Post-Baccalaureate Students

The PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential at the post-baccalaureate level can be completed on campus or online as a standalone credential program.

For those interested in obtaining a master’s degree from Biola University, explore the Master of Arts in Teaching (specialization in Early Childhood) or Master of Arts in Education (specialization in Early Childhood) offered through the School of Education.

Bilingual Authorization in Spanish

If you are interested in a Bilingual Authorization in Spanish program, you may take three courses (in the Bilingual Authorization program) concurrent to your credential program or after your program. Explore the Bilingual Authorization in Spanish program for more information.

Teacher Preparation and Pedagogy Coursework

All teacher preparation and pedagogy coursework must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher with an overall 2.75 GPA. See point 1 of the program requirements for a list of required courses.

Field Experience

You are required to fulfill fieldwork experience hours for specific courses. Biola will arrange your placements with partnering districts. See point 7 of the program requirements for details.

Most graduate students work full time and, through permission from their employers, utilize personal or vacation time to arrange for their field experience hours in the schools. Those teaching full time may have reduced field experience hours.

Student Teaching

Student teaching is a whole-classroom instruction experience embedded within LEDU 460/462 (undergraduate level) and SEED 660/662 (post-baccalaureate level) — candidates will fulfill the minimum required hours of clinical practice for the PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential. See point 8 of the program requirements for details.

What will I study as a PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential?

As a PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction credential student, you will take biblically-integrated coursework in teacher preparation and clinical practice, and complete fieldwork hours with partnering districts.

As a Christian institution, Biola seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation toward their field of study. Biola does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

1. Complete and submit the online application

2. Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee

3. Submit supplemental application materials through your online application portal:

Official Transcripts

• Submit all official transcripts from previous academic institutions.
  • Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
  • If enrolled at the time the application is filed, be sure to request transcripts of work finished to date and final transcripts upon completion of your course of study.
  • Transcripts will be considered official only when a) mailed directly from the institution to Biola, b) sent electronically through an approved vendor or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.
    • Mail transcripts to:
      Biola University Office of Graduate Admissions
      13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
• Note for International Students: All international transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (i.e. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved organization. Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have the evaluation agency send them directly to Biola University via online portal or post (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) to be considered official.

Reference Letters

• Note: Additional instructions can be found in the online application.

Essays

• Note: The essay prompts can be found in the online application.
  

English Proficiency (required for non-native English speakers)

• Evidence of English proficiency is required for all students to support student success. Proficiency must be shown through one of the methods described below:
  • Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test
    • TOEFL: minimum score of 100 iBT
    • IELTS: minimum score of 7.5
    • Duolingo: minimum score of 125
  • A degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
    • Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
    • Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
    • Official catalog verification
    • Note: For universities from non-Anglophone countries, further language assessment may be required.
  • Completion of the English Language Scholars (ELS) with passing status on the ELS's final exit exam, which must be approved by the ELS Director in collaboration with the academic program committee. An updated TOEFL or IELTS score may be used at the end of a term to test directly into the graduate program for the following term.
  • Qualify for English Language Scholars (ELS), which allows students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores to still enroll in their graduate degree program. Students would be taking academic English courses concurrently with the graduate degree program courses.
    • Students eligible for ELS will be assessed by the ELS Director to determine the total number of academic English courses to take while enrolled in their graduate program courses. The following are the scores needed to qualify for ELS: TOEFL iBT 90 / IELTS 7.0 / Duolingo 110–124.
    • Note: Students must be admitted to the graduate program first to be considered for ELS.

4. Complete program-specific admissions requirements:

PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential

• Verify Certificate of Clearance and Tuberculosis (TB) Test – Verify possession of Certificate of Clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and submit valid TB test results.
• Fieldwork in California — Applicants must have the ability to complete fieldwork in California.

5. Interview with a faculty member

   • After your application and all supplemental application requirements are submitted and approved, you will have an in-person or phone/video interview (if long distance or online) with a faculty member.

 

Things to Note

• Track your application status at any time. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You can complete a portion and finish at a later time. Your information will be saved. When you apply, to guarantee confidentiality, you will be asked to create a user name and a password, and will receive a personalized identification number. Track your application status by logging in to the online application.
• Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.
• International students who will be studying on campus are required to apply for an F-1 student visa. For more information, visit biola.edu/international/admitted-students.

Biola is committed to help make your studies affordable — each school offers different scholarship, grant and loan opportunities to help finance your education. Note: The rate below applies to coursework taken at the graduate level. For undergraduate costs and financial aid, explore the Undergraduate Tuition & Costs and Undergraduate Scholarships & Aid.