Mission Statement
The foundation of the department’s educational program is built upon knowledge derived from a sound theoretical base and rigorous research. We believe a quality program includes opportunities for reflection, problem solving and collaboration, and the application of knowledge and skills in settings that demonstrate effective practices. Working in partnership with schools and communities, a quality program provides ongoing support, mentoring and guidance to its students, while promoting innovative approaches for individuals with exceptional needs in the communities it serves.
About the Department
The Department of Special Education at California State University, Northridge, offers credential and master’s degree programs for professionals who work with infants, toddlers, children and youth with special needs and their families. Programs are designed to prepare special educators to understand the diverse characteristics and backgrounds of students with disabilities, to adapt curriculum and instruction, and to make sound educational judgments based on assessment findings.
The Department of Special Education offers a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential and a Teacher Induction Credential in Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Early Childhood Special Education, Mild/Moderate Disabilities and Moderate/Severe Disabilities. These programs provide specialized coursework and field experiences for individuals who are interested in serving students with disabilities.
The Department of Special Education offers the following preliminary credential pathways:
- Traditional Program, a post-B.A. preservice professional program.
- Intern Program, a post-B.A. two-year program designed for on-the-job teachers who are eligible for an intern credential and who secured a teaching position as the teacher of record.
- Accelerated Collaborative Teacher (ACT) Preparation Program, a post-B.A. full-time, two-semester program, offered collaboratively with the Los Angeles Unified School District (in Mild/Moderate Disabilities program only).
- Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP), an undergraduate program with candidates beginning as freshmen or entering the two-year option as transfer students, earning their credential and bachelor’s degree concurrently (in Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe programs only).
- SED/SPED Dual Preliminary Credential, a post-B.A. preservice professional program in which candidates earn a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Disabilities and a Preliminary Single Subject Credential.
The Teacher Induction program is a two-year, individualized program designed for candidates who hold a valid Preliminary Education Specialist Credential in the following specialization areas: Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Early Childhood Special Education; Mild/Moderate Disabilities; or Moderate/Severe Disabilities. The purpose of the Teacher Induction Credential Program is to provide ongoing mentoring and support for new teachers. Candidates develop an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) designed to strengthen their professional practice through self-assessment, goal setting, and reflection. The program consists of four induction courses centered around the Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) and two pedagogy courses designed to build on skills and knowledge acquired through the Preliminary Credential.
The master’s degree program builds upon the competencies developed in the credential programs, preparing special educators for positions of leadership, advocacy and scholarship in schools, the community and within the overall profession of Special Education. The department offers two M.A. programs: (1) an online M.A. in Educational Therapy, and (2) an M.A. in Special Education with an emphasis in (a) Deaf and Hard of Hearing, (b) Early Childhood Special Education, (c) Mild/Moderate Disabilities, and (d) Moderate/Severe Disabilities.
Academic Advisement
Faculty in the department of special education are available to assist students with questions about the department’s programs by email or phone as assigned below. Please allow 48-72 business hours for a reply.
Prospective students who are unsure of the programs available, what specialization to choose, or how to apply to the programs or campus, please contact pre-admissions advisors Dr. Ivor Weiner, (818) 677-2598, or Dr. Kathryn Peckham-Hardin, (818) 677-4002.
Preliminary Credential Program Advisors for Traditional Students
- Students or prospective students who are interested in the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) Preliminary program, please contact Dr. Rachel Friedman-Narr through email or phone at (818) 677-4007.
- Students or prospective students who are interested in the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Preliminary program, please contact Dr. Zhen Chai through email or phone at (818) 677-4604.
- Students or prospective students who are interested in the Moderate/Severe Disabilities Preliminary program, please contact Dr. Amy Hanreddy through email or phone at (818) 677-2522
- Students or prospective students interested in the Mild/Moderate Disabilities program, please contact the following advisor based on the beginning letter of your last name:
- A–E: Contact Dr. Beth Lasky at (818) 677-2725
- F–J: Contact Dr. Vanessa Goodwin at (818) 677-7888
- K–O: Contact Dr. Ivor Weiner at (818) 677-2598
- P–T: Contact Dr. Vanessa Goodwin at (818) 677-7888
- U–Z: Contact Dr. Sue Sears at (818) 677-5000
Preliminary Credential Program Advisors for Interns
- Prospective interns who are seeking information about the intern program, please contact Dr. Tamarah Ashton, Intern Coordinator by email or phone at (818) 677-4869.
- Interns in the area of Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) Intern program, please contact Dr. Rachel Friedman-Narr through email or phone at (818) 677-4007.
- Interns in the area of Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Intern program, please contact Dr. Zhen Chai through email or phone at (818) 677-4604.
- Interns in the area of Mild/Moderate Disabilities, please contact Dr. Nancy Burstein through email or phone at (818) 677-2552.
- Interns in the Moderate/Severe Disabilities Intern program, please contact Dr. Amy Hanreddy through email or phone at (818) 677-2522.
Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) Advisors
- Undergraduate students interested in the ITEP program in the area of Mild/Moderate Disabilities, please contact Dr. Sue Sears through email or by phone at (818) 677-5000.
- Undergraduate students interested in the ITEP program in the area of Moderate/Severe Disabilities, please contact Dr. Kathryn Peckham-Hardin through email or by phone at (818) 677-4002.
Accelerated Collaborative Teacher (ACT) Advisor (Mild/Moderate only)
- Students interested in the ACT program in Mild/Moderate Disabilities, please contact Dr. Nancy Burstein through email or by phone at (818) 677-2552.
Accelerated Collaborative Teacher—Residency (ACT-R) Advisors
- Students interested in the ACT-R program in Deaf/Hard of Hearing, please contact Dr. Ellen Schneiderman through email or by phone at (818) 677-2649.
- Students interested in the ACT-R program in Early Childhood Special Education, please contact Dr. Zhen Chai through email or by phone at (818) 677-4604.
- Students interested in the ACT-R program in Mild/Moderate Disabilities, please contact Dr. Nancy Burstein through email or by phone at (818) 677-2552.
- Students interested in the ACT-R program in Moderate/Severe Disabilities, please contact Dr. Amy Hanreddy through email or by phone at (818) 677-2522.
Teacher Induction Credential Program Advisors
- Special educators who are interested in teacher induction in the area of Deaf/Hard of Hearing, please contact Dr. Ellen Schneiderman through email or by phone at (818) 677-2649.
- Special educators who are interested in teacher induction in the area of Early Childhood Special Education, please contact Dr. Michele Haney through email or by phone at (818) 677-3874.
- Special educators who are interested in teacher induction in the area of Mild/Moderate Disabilities, please contact Dr. Virginia Kennedy through email or by phone at (818) 677-2532.
- Special educators who are interested in teacher induction in the area of Moderate/Severe Disabilities, please contact Dr. Kathryn Peckham-Hardin through email or by phone at (818) 677-4002.
Master of Art (M.A.) Advisors
- Special educators who are interested in the M.A. program in the area of Deaf/Hard of Hearing, please contact Dr. Rachel Freidman-Nard through email or by phone at (818) 677-4007.
- Special educators who are interested in the M.A. program in the area of Early Childhood Special Education, please contact Dr. Michele Haney through email or by phone at (818) 677-3874.
- Special educators who are interested in the M.A. program in the area of Mild/Moderate Disabilities, please contact Dr. Tamarah Ashton through email or by phone at (818) 677-4869.
- Special educators who are interested in the M.A. program in the area of Moderate/Severe Disabilities, please contact Dr. Kathryn Peckham-Hardin through email or by phone at (818) 677-4002.
Added Authorizations Advisors
- Special educators who are interested in the Resource Specialist Added Authorization (RSAA), please contact Dr. Virginia Kennedy through email or by phone at (818) 677-2532.
- Special educators who are interested in the Autism Spectrum Disorders Added Authorization (ASDAA), please contact Dr. Ivor Weiner through email or by phone at (818) 677-2598.
Accreditation
All credential programs are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Contact
Department of Special Education
Chair: Kathryn Peckham-Hardin
Education (ED) 1204
(818) 677-2596