The College of Education at Cal State LA develops skilled, caring, and dedicated educators, counselors, and educational leaders who transform schools and communities across our region. Our students learn from and work with faculty, staff, and partner agencies who are deeply committed to equity, excellence in education, and your success.
Navigate your Next Step
Guidance for Future Educators, Counselors, and Leaders
You will find trained college advisors for our various programs and pathways throughout the college.
Hands-On Learning + Serving Community = Transformative Learning
We serve the local community by providing local students and families accessible educational support while providing Cal State LA students with hands-on experience, professional growth, and deeper community engagement.
Student Organizations
Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO) — geared toward students interested in bilingual education and becoming bilingual teachers. It offers community, information about teacher preparation, scholarships, and networking opportunities.
School Based Family Counseling Student Association (SBFC Student Association) — supports students preparing for school-based family counseling careers, with networking, professional preparation, scholarly discussion, and connections among graduate students, alumni, and professionals.
College of Education News
2026 Braille Institute Community Hero Award Recipient
Cal State LA was recognized for its partnership with the Braille Institute and its leadership in preparing the next generation of Orientation and Mobility Specialists and Teachers of the Visually Impaired. The Department of Special Education and Counseling is proud to create a pipeline of professionals who support the missions of hundreds of blindness-serving organizations across the United States.
Ballmer Group Grant
The grant supports direct services that strengthen communities today while helping build the systems of care needed for tomorrow. The College of Education’s School-Based Family Counseling Program is honored to prepare future counselors who will expand access to youth mental health services in under-resourced communities across Los Angeles.
Day of the Educator and Honors Convocation
The Golden Eagle Ballrooms were filled with family and friends gathered to celebrate students completing their teaching credential programs and graduate students recognized for outstanding academic excellence. The event also honored exceptional mentor teachers and site supervisors with Golden Apple Awards.
Bilingual Education Conference
The 2nd Annual (Re)rooting Bilingual Education Conference “Resistir through Healing para Sostenernos: Un convivio para educadores bilingües,” brought together bilingual educators for a meaningful day of learning, reflection, connection, and community-centered healing. The conference offered a welcoming space for participants to share experiences, build community, and simply be present with one another.
Dean's Message
As he begins his third year as dean, Marcos Pizarro welcomes students, faculty, and staff to the College of Education. In his message, he reflects on the college’s values and priorities, reaffirming its commitment to justice, care, holistic well-being, and service to students, families, and communities. He encourages members of the college community to support one another, seek assistance when needed, and work together toward a more hopeful future.
Family Math Nights
Under the leadership of Dr. Lili Zhou, Assistant Professor in Math Education, the College of Education partners with local elementary schools to host Family Math Nights. Children and their families engage in interactive and hands-on math activities. These nights highlight the COE's commitment to community-centered teacher preparation, and provide our preservice teachers with authentic, practice-based learning experiences.
Drs. James E. and Patricia E. Newby Endowment
A generous couple from Lawrenceville, Georgia—Drs. James E. and Patricia E. Newby—established a new $100,000 endowment to support COE students. Both James and Patricia are Cal State LA alumni—James from NSS and Patricia from Arts & Letters—who went on to distinguished careers in education. As such, they wanted their endowment to support our students because of their shared commitment to preparing future educators.
Student Success 2026
Ivonne Guerrero
Inspired to break down the stigma surrounding mental health, this recent graduate is committed to creating safe, welcoming spaces where individuals and families feel seen, heard, and supported. Through hands-on experience at Cal State LA’s on-site counseling clinic, she developed the clinical skills, confidence, and empathy that now guide her mission to serve communities in need.
Alumni Spotlight
Davis Fan
A proud alum and mentor. He is a dedicated educator, mentor teacher, and alumnus of the COE’s Mild to Moderate Support Needs credential and master’s programs whose expertise and commitment have had a lasting impact on both aspiring teachers and their students.