Overview

Authorizes the holder to conduct assessments, provide instruction and special education-related services to individuals with a primary disability of autism, moderate/severe mental cognitive impairment, deaf-blind, emotional disturbance and multiple disabilities in kindergarten and grades 1-12 up to age 22. 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 nonteaching 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 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

A. Traditional Education Specialist Teaching Credential Program in Moderate/Severe Disabilities (42 units)

1. Must meet admission requirements as described in the credential section.

2. Courses Required Prior to or Concurrent with SPED 403MS

SPED 400 Developmental Differences and Implications in Special Education (3)*
SPED 402 Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavioral Supports (3)*
SPED 403MS Early Field Experience (3)**
SPED 504MS Teaching Diverse Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (3)

*May be taken prior to admission.

**120 hours of field work and seminar.

3. Courses Required Prior to SPED 580MS—Student Teaching

SPED 406 K-12 Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (3)
SPED 416 Educating Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Working with Their Families (3)
SPED 420 Improving the Learning of Students with Special Needs Through Differentiated Instruction and Collaboration (3)
SPED 505MS Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (3)

4. Other Requirements Prior to SPED 580MS—Student Teaching

1. Basic Skills and Subject Matter Requirement:
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
2. Writing Proficiency:
   1. CBEST writing score of 41 or higher, or
   2. Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam with a score of 10 or higher, or
   3. Completion of ENGL 305 or ENGL 406, or COMS 321.
3. 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. Fingerprint clearance.
5. Submission of a student teaching application and approval to student teach by Credential Office. (Application for student teaching is required in the semester prior to student teaching.)

5. Courses Required Prior to or Concurrent with SPED 580MS—Student Teaching

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

Special Education Elective (3 units)

One of the following courses:

SPED 404 Teaching Diverse Learners with Social-Communication Disabilities, Including Autism (3)
SPED 640 Physical and Multiple Disabilities (3)
SPED 642 Students with Multiple and Sensory Impairments (3)

6. Required Prior to Applying for the Credential

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
2. Knowledge of U.S. Constitution (course or exam).
3. 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.)
4. CPR certification—infant, child, adult (online CPR training is not acceptable).
5. 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).

B. Intern Education Specialist Program in Moderate/Severe Disabilities (42 units)

Must meet admission requirements as described in the credential section.

1. Preservice Component

All applicants are required to complete preservice 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 preservice preparation component through a combination of credential coursework and online instructional modules (see intern advisor).

2. Early Field Work—Year 1

Prior to or concurrent with SPED 506MSA and SPED 506MSB (first and second semester) and prerequisite to SPED 506MSC (third semester)

EED 565M Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3)
SPED 400 Developmental Differences and Implications in Special Education (3)*
SPED 402 Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavioral Support (3)*
SPED 406 K-12 Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (3)
SPED 416 Educating Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Working with their Families (3)
SPED 504 MS Teaching Diverse Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (3)
SPED 506MSA SPED Field Experience/Seminar (3)
SPED 506MSB SPED Field Experience/Seminar (3)

*May be taken prior to admission.

3. Student Teaching—Year 2

Prior to or concurrent with SPED 506MSC (third semester) and prerequisite to SPED 506MSD (fourth semester)

SPED 420 Improving the Learning Needs of Students with Special Needs Though Differentiated Instruction and Collaboration (3)
SPED 505MS Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Learners with Moderate/Severe Disabilities (3)
SPED 506MSC SPED Field Experience/Seminar (3)

4. Other Requirements Prior to or Concurrent with Fourth Semester of SPED 506MSD

SPED 506MSD SPED Field Experience/Seminar (3)
SPED 581 Alternative and Augmentative Communication (3)

Special Education Elective (3 units)

One of the following courses:

SPED 404 Teaching Diverse Learners with Social-Communication Disabilities, Including Autism (3)
SPED 640 Physical and Multiple Disabilities (3)
SPED 642 Students with Multiple and Sensory Impairments (3)

5. Other Program Requirements

1. Writing Proficiency:
   1. CBEST writing score of 41 or higher, or
   2. Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam with a score of 10 or higher, or
   3. Completion of ENGL 305 or ENGL 406, or COMS 321.
2. 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).
3. 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.)

C. Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP)

For the Moderate/Severe Disabilities program, see the Liberal Studies section of this Catalog. Students must meet admission requirements as described in the Credential section.