Overview

Authorizes the holder to conduct assessments, provide instruction and special education-related services to individuals with a primary disability of specific learning disabilities, mild/moderate mental retardation, other health impairment, emotional disturbance and autism spectrum disorders within the disability area in kindergarten and grades 1-12. Classes organized primarily for adults in services across the continuum of program options available.

Candidates are provided the following pathways to pursue a Preliminary Credential.

1. The Traditional Program (DHH, ECSE, MM, MS) is designed primarily as a Post-B.A. Degree Program for candidates in non-teaching or teaching positions interested in flexible scheduling. Contact Virginia Kennedy at virginia.kennedy@csun.edu for Traditional Program advisement.
2. The Intern Program (DHH, ECSE, MM, MS), a Post-B.A. Degree 2-year Program (including Summers), is designed for teachers who have an Intern Credential and are hired in a cooperating school district. Interns must take a minimum of 6 units each semester, including 2 units of the SPED 506 Intern Practicum/Seminar. Interns receive classroom support and mentorship throughout the program by University and district personnel. Contact Tamarah Ashton at tamarah.ashton@csun.edu for Intern Program advisement. Candidates in the DHH, ECSE and MS areas must consult with an advisor in their area of specialization.
3. The Accelerated Collaborative Teacher (ACT) Preparation Program (for MM) is a Post-B.A. Degree full-time 2-semester (MM) or 3-semester (MS, DHH) Program. Candidates begin the Program in he Fall semester and progress through the Program as a cohort. Contact Nancy Burstein at nancy.burstein@csun.edu for ACT Program advisement.
4. The Integrated Teacher Education Program (MM, MS) is an Undergraduate Program. Candidates begin as freshmen or enter the 2-year option as transfer students. Contact Sue Sears at sue.sears@csun.edu for more information.

Program Requirements

1. Traditional Education Specialist Teaching Credential Program in Mild/Moderate Disabilities (42 units)

Must meet admission requirements as described in the credential section.

Courses Required Prior to or Concurrent with SPED 403

SPED 400 Developmental Differences and Implications in Special Education (3) (May be taken prior to admission)
SPED 403MM Early Field Experience (3) (72 hours of field work and seminar)
SPED 406 K-12 Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (3) (Prerequisite: Admission to Post-Baccalaureate Credential program or ITEP)

Courses Required Prior to SPED 580MM Student Teaching

EED 565M Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3)
or SED 525 Methods of Teaching Single Subject (3)
SPED 402 Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavioral Supports (3) (May be taken prior to admission)
SPED 404 Teaching Diverse Learners with Social-Communication Disabilities, Including Autism (3)
SPED 416 Educating Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Working with Their Families (3) (Prerequisites: SPED 400, 406, 403MM. Prerequisite or Corequisite: SPED 501MM)
SPED 420 Improving the Learning of Students with Special Needs through Differentiated Instruction and Collaboration (3) (Prerequisites: Admission to the Credential Program; SPED 400, 406, 403MM)
SPED 501MM Special Education Assessment of Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3) (Prerequisites: SPED 400, 406, 403MM)

Other Requirements Prior to SPED 580MM Student Teaching

• Basic Skills and Subject Matter Requirement:
  - Recommended option for individuals interested in teaching at the elementary level: Passage of CSET Multiple Subject Exam and CSET Writing Skills, or passage of a CSET Multiple Exam and CBEST.
  - Recommended option for individuals interested in teaching at the secondary level: Passage of a CSET Single Subject Exam and CBEST or completion of approved subject matter program and passage of the CBEST.
• Writing Proficiency (CBEST writing score of 41 or higher or Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam with a score of 10 or higher or ENGL 305 or ENGL 406, or COMS 321).
• Overall GPA of 2.75 since admission with cumulative 3.0 GPA in professional education courses (a grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses).
• Fingerprint clearance.
• Submission of Student Teaching Application and approval to Student Teach by Credential Office. (Application for Student Teaching is required in the semester prior to Student Teaching.)

Courses Required Prior to or Concurrent with SPED 580MM Student Teaching

Only one course may be completed concurrently with SPED 580MM.

SPED 502MM Reading/Language Arts Instruction for Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3) (Prerequisites: SPED 400, 403, 406, 416. Prerequisite or Corequisite: SPED 501MM)
SPED 503MM Curriculum and Instruction in Math and Content Subjects for Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3) (Prerequisites: SPED 400, 403, 406416, 525 or 565M. Prerequisite or Corequisite: SPED 501MM)
SPED 580MM Student Teaching (6) and SPED 580S (3) Seminar in Mild/Moderate Disabilities (with a grade of “B: or higher). (These two courses must be taken concurrently.)

Required Prior to Applying for the Credential

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Knowledge of U.S. Constitution (course or exam).
• Passage of Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) or possession of valid California Teaching Credential. (Must hold valid California Teaching Credential at the time of applying for this Credential in order to be exempt from RICA.)
• CPR certification—infant, child, adult (online CPR training is not acceptable).
• Overall GPA of 2.75 since admission, with cumulative 3.0 GPA in professional education courses (a grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses).

2. Intern Education Specialist Program in Mild/Moderate Disabilities (42 units)

Must meet admission requirements as described in the credential section.

Preservice Component

All applicants are required to complete pre-service preparation. This preparation includes classroom management and planning, reading/language arts, specialty specific pedagogy, human development and teaching English learners. Applicants without a valid Teaching Credential can satisfy the pre-service preparation component through a combination of credential coursework and online instructional modules (see intern advisor).

Semester 1

SPED 400 Developmental Differences and Implications in Special Education (3) (May be taken prior to admission)
SPED 406 K-12 Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (3) (Prerequisite: Admission to Post-Baccalaureate Credential Program)
SPED 506MMA SPED Field Experience/Seminar (3)

Semester 2

SPED 416 Educating Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Working with their Families (3) (Prerequisites: SPED 400, 406, 506MMA. Prerequisite or Corequisite: SPED 501MM)
SPED 501MM Special Education Assessment of Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3) (Prerequisites: SPED 400, 406, 506MMA)
SPED 506MMB SPED Field Experience/Seminar (3)

Summer 1

EED 565M Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3)
SPED 506MMD SPED Field Experience/Seminar (3)
or SED 525 Methods of Teaching Single Subject (3)
SPED 404 Teaching Diverse Learners with Social-Communication Disabilities, Including Autism (3)

Semester 3

SPED 402 Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavioral Supports (3) (May be taken prior to admission)
SPED 502MM Reading/Language Arts Instruction for Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3) (Prerequisites: SPED 400, 406, 416, 506MMA/B)
SPED 506MMC SPED Field Experience/Seminar (3)

Other Requirements Prior to SPED 506MMD (4th semester)

• Writing Proficiency (CBEST writing score of 41 or higher or Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam with a score of 10 or higher or ENGL 305 or ENGL 406, or COMS 321).
• Overall GPA of 2.75 since admission with cumulative 3.0 GPA in professional Education Courses (a grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses).
• Passage of Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) or possession of valid California Teaching Credential. (Must hold valid California Teaching Credential at the time of applying for this Credential in order to be exempt from RICA.)
• CPR certification—infant, child, adult (online CPR training is not acceptable).

Semester 4

SPED 420 Improving the Learning of Students with Special Needs through Differentiated Instruction and Collaboration (3) (Prerequisites: Admission to the Credential Program; SPED 400, 406, 506MMA-C)
SPED 503MM Curriculum and Instruction in Math and Content Subjects for Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3) (Prerequisites: EED 565M or SED 525; SPED 400, 406, 416, 420, 506MMA-C)

3. Accelerated Collaborative Teacher (ACT) Education Specialist Program in Mild/Moderate Disabilities (40 units)

Must meet admission requirements as described in the credential section.

Semester 1 (Fall): Required with SPED 579ACT—Field Experience (21-22 units)

EED 565M Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3)
or SED 525 Methods of Teaching Single Subject (3)
ELPS 541A Getting Started: Introduction to Teaching in Urban Schools (1)
SPED 400 Developmental Differences and Implications in Special Education (3)
SPED 402 Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavioral Supports (3)
SPED 406 K-12 Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (3)
SPED 501MM Special Education Assessment of Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
SPED 541B Getting Started: Introduction to Teaching in Urban Schools (2)
SPED 579ACT ACT Field work with Exceptional Learners/Seminar (4)

Required Prior to SPED 580ACT—Advanced Field Work

• Basic Skills and Subject Matter Requirement.
•  - Recommended option for individuals interested in teaching at the elementary level: Passage of CSET Multiple Subject Exam and CSET Writing Skills, or passage of a CSET Multiple Exam and CBEST.
•  - Recommended option for individuals interested in teaching at the secondary level: Passage of a CSET Single Subject Exam and CBEST, or completion of approved subject matter program and passage of the CBEST.
• Writing Proficiency (CBEST writing score of 41 or higher or Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam with a score of 10 or higher or ENGL 305 or ENGL 406, or COMS 321).
• Overall GPA of 2.75 since admission with cumulative 3.0 GPA in Professional Education Courses (a grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses).
• Fingerprint clearance.
• Approval for Student Teaching.

Semester 2 (Spring): Required Prior to SPED 580ACT—Advanced Field Work (18 units)

ELPS 542A Meeting the Needs of All Students in Urban Schools (2)
SPED 404 Teaching Diverse Learners with Social-Communication Disabilities, Including Autism (3)
SPED 502MM Reading/Language Arts Instruction for Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
SPED 503MM Curriculum and Instruction in Math and Content Subjects for Diverse Learners with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3)
SPED 542B Meeting the Needs of All Students in Urban Schools (1)
SPED 580ACT Advanced Field work with Exceptional Learners/Seminar (with a grade of “B” or higher) (6)

Required Prior to Applying for the Credential

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Knowledge of U.S. Constitution (course or exam).
• Passage of Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) or possession of valid California Teaching Credential. (Must hold valid California Teaching Credential at the time of applying for this Credential in order to be exempt from RICA.)
• CPR certification—infant, child, adult (online CPR training is not acceptable).
• Overall GPA of 2.75 since admission, with cumulative 3.0 GPA in professional education courses (a grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses).

4. Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP)

For Mild/Moderate Disabilities Program see the Liberal Studies section of this Catalog. Must meet admission requirements as described in the Credential section.