Summer 2026 Course Application
Application & Enrollment
UCLA is partnering with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools to offer a free college-level course in Education! The course is a FREE, 6-week virtual class offered to Kern County high school students during Summer 2026.
Course Overview
Education 10: Introduction to Educational Issues and Scholarship is an introduction to the broad landscape of public education in the U.S. Intended for those interested in educational research, policy, or teaching in both formal and informal educational contexts. Students will work in groups to critique educational research, apply their interpretations to current public schooling issues, and provide policy and program recommendations. There will be opportunities to learn from current education practitioners in the field, identify career pathways, and propose possible areas of interest for pursuit.
Learning Outcomes
- Overview of the history of public schooling in California.
- Critique educational research, apply their interpretations to current public schooling issues, and provide policy and program recommendations.
- Learn from current education practitioners in the field, identify career pathways, and propose possible areas of interest for pursuit.
- Partner with current UCLA education mentors to support learning.
Learning Approach
- Deliver project-based learning experiences to connect research and practice in education.
- Offer opportunities to examine case studies & provide policy recommendations from varied perspectives in teaching and education career fields.
Learning Supports
- You will have a UCLA college mentor with experience in the Education field to help guide you through the course.
- You will have lots of opportunities to have conversations about course content and receive support to apply for and pursue college majors in the teaching and education field.
- Your instructor, Dr. Guillén, will host regular office hours to support your learning and provide feedback on assignments.
Enrollment Steps
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 15, 2026 at 5:00PM
- Please follow the instructions as outlined in the UCLA Summer Sessions Registration Guide for Kern County ED10 Course.
- Complete the Future Educators Student Application Google Form by May 15, 2026 at 5:00PM.
Application Timeline
Notification of Acceptance: May 20th
Waitlist Notification: May 20th
Waitlist Acceptance: May 25th
Students who are accepted into the UCLA Future Educators Pathway Program will be notified on May 20th. IMPORTANT: You will not be officially enrolled until you receive program acceptance and complete the Student Enrollment form by May 22. The note below only applies to students who are enrolled officially after May 22.
If accepted, you must fill out the Student Enrollment Form by May 22 at 5:00pm, otherwise your spot will be released.
For Waitlist students, you must fill out the Student Enrollment Form by May 27 at 5:00pm, otherwise your spot will be released.
More information for this step will come at a later time.
Note: You cannot complete this step until you receive your UID.
Kick off your summer with our orientations where you’ll get an introduction to the course, meet your peers, and connect with your UCLA mentors to start building community from day one.
Students are required to attend either the in-person or online scheduled orientations. Dates will be announced upon enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Similar to concurrent enrollment opportunities with local and neighboring community colleges and CSUs, UCLA’s partnership with Kern County allows us to offer our UCLA course to high school students.
This course will be offered virtually, so there will be no need to come to the UCLA campus regularly!
The course will last for 6 weeks, beginning the week of June 22nd and ending the last week of July. Classes will occur twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00am – 11:00am on Zoom.
High School Students: Incoming Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors during the 2026-2027 SY.
Age: Must be 15 years or older by June 1st.
Residence: You must attend a high school within Kern County.
There is no cost to enroll in our program. As part of our program offering, we cover all tuition and enrollment fees associated with registering for Summer Sessions at UCLA and enrolling in a UCLA course. Introduction to Educational Issues and Scholarship is completely FREE!
*Please note that if you decide to withdraw prior to the course start date or drop the course, there will be a $350 withdrawal fee (equivalent to the registration fee that the UCLA Kern Project pays for you) issued by Summer Sessions that we do not cover. Please make sure you are available during UCLA Summer Session A (6/22/2026 – 7/31/2026) and willing to commit to taking a summer college course.
Kick off your summer with our orientations where you’ll get an introduction to the course, meet your peers, and connect with your UCLA mentors to start building community from day one.
Students are required to attend either the in-person or online scheduled orientations. Dates will be announced upon enrollment.
College mentors are current UCLA undergraduate and graduate education students who will work 1:1 with enrolled students to support and guide them through the course material and assignments. UCLA mentors will also be available for college access mentoring to guide students through the 4-year college application process.
Meet Our MentorsYes, absolutely! We want to make sure you are successful in our course. Your college mentors will be there for you every step of the way and your instructor will be available to help you and accommodate your learning needs. Additional resources will be provided in class as well.
The deadline to apply to our course is May 15, 2026 at 5:00pm. To note: this form is only an application. You will not be officially enrolled until you receive program acceptance and complete the Student Enrollment form by May 22. The note below only applies to students who are enrolled officially after May 22.
Application Timeline
Notification of Acceptance: May 20th
Waitlist Notification: May 20th
Waitlist Acceptance: May 25th
If you need assistance enrolling, contact the Program Coordinator, Alexia Macahilas (macahilas@gseis.ucla.edu) to set up a time to call.
If you decide to withdraw from the course there will be a fee!
Please think carefully before enrolling in this course to ensure you are available during the entirety of UCLA Summer Session A (6/22/2026 – 7/31/2026) and willing to commit to taking a summer college course. We are unable to cover the $350 withdrawal fee (equivalent to the registration fee that the UCLA Kern Project pays for you) issued by Summer Sessions.
The teaching team is willing to have a conversation with you about your situation, but please communicate with us as soon as possible!
For any questions about the application process, please contact the Program Coordinator, Alexia Macahilas (macahilas@gseis.ucla.edu).