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About the

College of Education

Reach. Teach. Impact.

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graduation ceremony, with a view of all the graducation caps

About Us

On July 1, 2004, the College of Education was formally designated the 8th college of California State University, Fullerton.  The College of Education is home to more than 1200 credential and graduate students. It is a destination of choice for students seeking the highest quality teacher preparation and advanced degrees in education.  

The College of Education’s work focuses on closing the opportunity gap. The College’s impact is notable given the fact that we credential the largest number of teachers of any public institution in the state of California and have the largest Ed.D. program in the CSU system.  

We understand that the College cannot control all the complexities of TK-14 student success, but our faculty and staff ensure a level playing field through our focus on three main priorities for educator preparation: 

  • Technology
  • Just Equitable and Inclusive Education
  • Community Engagement
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Message from the Dean

Welcome to the College of Education at Cal State Fullerton.

I’m honored to welcome you into a community grounded in our commitment to Just, Equitable, and Inclusive Education (JEIE). This commitment is not simply a guiding principle—it is a daily practice that shapes how we teach, learn, lead, and partner with others. It calls us to ensure that every learner is seen, valued, and supported, and that our work contributes to more equitable and inclusive schools and communities.

We also recognize that the context of teaching and learning is changing rapidly. Technology, shifting educational policies, evolving community needs, and new understandings of learning and development require us to be technology-forward, adaptable, and thoughtful about how we prepare educators and leaders. We embrace innovation not for its own sake, but because it can expand access, strengthen learning, and help us respond to the real challenges and opportunities facing students, families, and educators today.

Our college is enriched by the cultural and linguistic diversity of our community. We see this diversity as a powerful asset—one that strengthens our classrooms, our scholarship, and our partnerships. We are committed to creating learning environments where students’ identities, languages, and lived experiences are affirmed and leveraged as sources of knowledge, creativity, and leadership.

Community engagement is central to who we are. We believe meaningful change happens when we work alongside others—schools, districts, families, community-based organizations, and campus partners—to co-create solutions and deepen impact. Through collaboration, we build a community of care that is nurturing, supportive, and responsive—one that recognizes the unique strengths each person brings and the collective power that emerges when we come together as learners and educators.

In this spirit, we encourage a culture of curiosity—because curiosity fuels learning, and learning fuels innovation. We want our students to ask bold questions, test new ideas, reflect on outcomes, and try again. When curiosity is paired with strong preparation, ethical leadership, and a commitment to JEIE, innovation becomes possible in ways that truly serve students and communities.

Above all, we lead with compassion—for our students, our colleagues, our partners, and ourselves. Compassion reminds us that education is fundamentally human work. It asks us to listen deeply, to act with care, and to build environments where people feel they belong and can thrive.

We are excited to learn with you, to innovate with you, and to work together toward a more just, equitable, and inclusive future.

Sincerely,

Natalie Tran, Ph.D.

Interim Dean

It Takes a Titan, and the College of Education is committed to leading the way.

Natalie Tran

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Our Vision

We aspire to be transformational leaders who advance the readiness of all learners to actively participate in an ever-changing, diverse and digital world.

graduate shaking hands on stage receiving their diploma

Our Mission

The College of Education is committed to the preparation and professional development of innovative and transformative educators who advance just, equitable, and inclusive education. As a professional community of scholar-practitioners, we promote creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking as fundamental to student achievement and success in a diverse and interconnected world.

Our Core Values

  1. We value learning as a lifelong journey that transforms us.
  2. We value theory, research and the professional literature as guiding the learning process and informing professional practice.
  3. We value responsibility to self and to the group.
  4. We value diversity because it enriches the whole.
  5. We value multiple pathways to learning that includes the use of technology.
  6. We value critical inquiry and seeking necessary change.
  7. We value authentic and reflective assessment.
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Conceptual Framework

The College of Education conceptual framework is our shared vision for the professional education unit at California State University Fullerton. The framework is theoretically grounded and rooted in our mission and core values, and: 

  • Guides the work we do, including curriculum, scholarship, and assessment
  • Guides the outcomes we expect of our candidates
  • Defines expected professional dispositions
  • Is a shared philosophy among candidates, faculty, and community partners

Learn More

Read our full conceptual framework

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