Special Education

Authorizes the holder to conduct assessments, provide instruction and special education-related services to individuals with a primary or secondary disability of deaf or hard of hearing, deaf-blind, autism spectrum disorders within the disability area and a hearing loss that manifests itself in conjunction with additional disabilities, including unilateral or bilateral, whether fluctuating, conductive, sensorineural and/or auditory neuropathy from birth through age 22. Classes organized primarily for adults in services across the continuum of program options available.

Candidates are provided two pathways toward a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential in Deaf/Hard of Hearing.

1. The Traditional Program is designed as a post-B.A. degree program for candidates interested in completing a preservice program prior to becoming a full-time teacher. Teacher candidates in the traditional program complete two supervised fieldwork practica with support from a University supervisor and an on-site mentor teacher. Contact Ellen Schneiderman or Rachel Friedman Narr for Traditional Program advisement.
2. The Intern Program is a post-B.A. degree two-year program designed for “on-the-job” teachers who have been hired as the teacher of record at an approved school district/site on an Intern Credential. Interns must take a minimum of 6 units per semester, including 3 units of the SPED 506 Intern Practicum/Seminar each semester. Interns receive classroom support and mentorship throughout the program by University and district personnel. Contact Tamarah Ashton for Intern Program advisement.

A. Traditional Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential Program in Deaf/Hard of Hearing (49 units)

1.  Admission Requirements

Must meet admission requirements as described in the Credential section.

2. Courses Required Prior to SPED 580DHH—Student Teaching

*May be taken prior to admission.

3. Other Requirements Prior to SPED 580D—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. Passage of American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI).
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.)

4. Courses Required Prior to or Concurrent with SPED 580D—Student Teaching

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

SPED 563 Audiology and Spoken English Development for Teachers of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (4)
SPED 567D Teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students with Special Needs (3)
SPED 580D Student Teaching and Seminar in Deaf/Hard of Hearing (6) (with a grade of “B” or higher)

5. 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 a 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 Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential Program in Deaf/Hard of Hearing (52 units)

1. Admission Requirements

Must meet admission requirements as described in the Credential section.

2. Preservice Component

All applicants are required to complete a minimum of 120 hours of preservice preparation. This preparation includes classroom management and planning, reading/language arts, specialty specific pedagogy, and human development, with 45 hours devoted specifically to 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).

Preservice Coursework

SPED 400 Developmental Differences and Implications in Special Education (3)*
SPED 402 Promoting and Supporting a Positive and Inclusive School Climate (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 420 Designing Equitable Learning Through Universal Design (3)

*May be taken prior to admission.

3. First Semester Coursework

SPED 504D Foundations of Deaf Education (3)
SPED 506DHA Special Education Internship Field Experience (3)
SPED 560 Development and Assessment of Language in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (3)

4. Second Semester Coursework

SPED 506DHB Special Education Internship Field Experience (3)
SPED 561D Teaching Reading to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (3)
SPED 565 Teaching Written English to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (3)

5. First Summer Coursework

SPED 416 Educating Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Working with Their Families (3)

6. Other Requirements Prior to SPED 506DH (Third Semester)

Passage of the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI).

7. Third Semester Coursework

8. Other Requirements Prior to SPED 506DHD (Fourth Semester)

1. 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. Passage of Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) or possession of a valid California Teaching Credential. (Must hold a valid California Teaching Credential at the time of applying for this Credential in order to be exempt from RICA.)
3. CPR certification—infant, child, adult (online CPR training is not acceptable).

9. Fourth Semester Coursework

SPED 506DHD Special Education Internship Field Experience (3)
SPED 566D Curriculum and Instruction for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (3)
SPED 567D Teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students with Special Needs (3)