Teacher preparation, child development, and educational leadership are the primary concerns of the School of Education.

The school also offers courses concerning historical, sociocultural, political, economic, and philosophical issues in education that are important for any well-educated citizen to understand.

Our programs offer many opportunities to apply knowledge of how children grow and learn; students are encouraged to work with children in the Children's School (the Mills School of Education laboratory school) and at other schools off campus, or with children in hospitals and community agencies.

The combination of the study of education and applied experiences is useful for future careers in many fields, including medicine, law, politics, publishing, the arts, and social services, as well as careers more directly serving children and youth. The department advises on the interdisciplinary majors in child development and liberal studies.

Child Development
In cooperation with the Psychology Department, the School of Education offers a major and a minor in child development. The study of children has special significance at Mills, which in 1926 opened the first campus nursery school on the West Coast as a laboratory for child study and professional training of teachers. Child development is an interdisciplinary major grounded in the study of human growth and development. Students observe and participate in the Children's School and other programs, and may choose to emphasize either early childhood education or, if they have special interests in chronically ill children and those considered "at risk," child life in hospital or community settings.

The major in child development meets the requirements for a state child development permit for teaching in preschool and day-care centers, and provides a strong basis for graduate school and for many other careers.

4+1 BA, MA, and Teacher Credential Program

The Mills College 4+1 BA, MA, and Teacher Credential Program allows undergraduates to complete their disciplinary major, a master's degree in education with an emphasis in teaching or early childhood, and a teacher credential from the state of California. All requirements for the BA are completed during the first four years of the program and during this time students also take courses that serve as part of their preparation for earning a teacher credential and master's degree. Student teaching and master's course work are completed during the fifth year.

Students interested in the program should meet with the 4+1 advisor in the School of Education when they register for their sophomore year to determine appropriate courses for exploring teaching as a career and the thinking and habits of mind developed in learning to teach. During the sophomore and junior years, students interested in teaching begin taking course work for the credential that will also serve them as students in the liberal arts. At the end of junior year, students apply to the 4+1 program and must meet the special admission and program requirements listed in the catalog. Students in the teacher credential 4+1 program are not allowed to double-major.

The four credential programs in the School of Education and the path for completing the 4+1 in each of those programs is outlined below.

Multiple Subjects Credential with an Early Childhood Emphasis

This credential program prepares one to teach in any self-contained K–12 classroom, but is recommended for those interested in teaching grades K–6. This work is completed in conjunction with an early childhood master's degree either in early childhood education or child life.

Admission Requirements
Applicants should complete the graduate application for admission, the 4+1 Teacher Preparation Program Supplemental Application, and submit one reference by March 1 of the candidate's junior year. In addition, every applicant will be interviewed by a faculty member in the School of Education. All portions of the CBEST and all three sub-tests of the CSET Multiple Subjects test must be passed prior to student teaching in the fifth year.

Multiple Subjects Credential

This credential authorizes one to teach in any self-contained K–12 classroom, but is recommended for those interested in teaching grades K–6. This work is completed in conjunction with a master's degree in education with an emphasis in teaching.

Admission Requirements
Applicants should complete the graduate application for admission, the 4+1 Teacher Preparation Program Supplemental Application, and submit one reference by March 1 of the candidate's junior year. In addition, every applicant will be interviewed by a faculty member in the School of Education. All portions of the CBEST and all three sub-tests of the CSET Multiple Subjects test must be passed prior to student teaching in the fifth year.

Single Subject Credential: Art, English, French, Spanish, and Social Studies

This credential prepares one to teach art, English, French, Spanish, or social studies in grades 6–12. This work is completed in conjunction with a master's degree in education with an emphasis in teaching.

Admission Requirements
Applicants should complete the graduate application for admission, the 4+1 Teacher Preparation Program Supplemental Application, and submit one reference by March 1 of the candidate's junior year. In addition, every applicant will be interviewed by a faculty member in the School of Education. All portions of the CBEST and all sub-tests of the CSET test for a particular subject area must be passed prior to student teaching in the fifth year.

Math and Science

This credential program authorizes one to teach mathematics, life sciences, or physical sciences in grades 6–12. This work is completed in conjunction with a master's degree in education with an emphasis in teaching.

Admission Requirements
Applicants should complete the graduate application for admission, the 4+1 Teacher Preparation Program Supplemental Application, and submit one reference by March 1 of the candidate's junior year. In addition, every applicant will be interviewed by a faculty member in the School of Education. All portions of the CBEST and all three sub-tests of the CSET Multiple Subjects test must be passed prior to student teaching in the fifth year.