Special Education

Authorizes the holder to conduct assessments, provide instruction and special education-related services to children from birth through kindergarten, with a primary eligibility of speech or language impairment, specific learning disability, mild/moderate intellectual disability, traumatic brain injury, other health impairment, autism spectrum disorder, deafness, hearing impairment, visual impairment including blindness, deaf-blindness, emotional disturbance, orthopedic impairment, developmental delay and multiple disabilities 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, MME) is designed primarily as a post-B.A. degree program for candidates in nonteaching or teaching positions interested in flexible scheduling. Contact Zhen Chai for Traditional Program advisement.
2. The Intern Program (DHH, ECSE, MME), a post-B.A. degree two-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 for Intern Program advisement. Candidates in the DHH, ECSE and MS areas must consult with an advisor in their area of specialization.

A. Traditional Educational Specialist Teaching Credential in Early Childhood Special Education (42 units)

1. Admission Requirements

Must meet admission requirements as described in the Credential section. Consultation with an advisor is highly recommended.

2. Prerequisites and Corequisites

Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development or 12 units in approved Child and Adolescent Development or Early Childhood curriculum coursework that includes participation in a typical preschool setting. Note: 6 units must be completed before the first student teaching assignment and 9 units must be completed before the second student teaching assignment. No more than 3 units may be taken concurrently with each student teaching assignment.

3. Basic Requirements

SPED 402 Promoting and Supporting a Positive and Inclusive School Climate (3)*
SPED 404 Teaching Diverse Learners with Social-Communication Disabilities, Including Autism (3)*
SPED 431 Atypical Development in Young Children with Disabilities (3)*
SPED 500 Communication and Early Literacy Development of Young Children with Disabilities (3)*
SPED 532 ECSE Curriculum and Instruction (3)*
SPED 535 Collaboration with Families in Early Childhood Special Education (3)

*May be taken prior to admission.

4. Requirements Prior to SPED 580EC Advanced Specialist Fieldwork in ECSE and SPED 578—Fieldwork in ECSE: Infant/Toddler

1. Passage of California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST).
2. Fingerprint clearance.
3. 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. Prior to or not more than one of the following courses may be taken with SPED 580EC—Advanced Specialist Fieldwork and Seminar in ECSE:

See note under Prerequisites and Corequisites regarding Child and Adolescent Development coursework.

SPED 520EC Assessment and Evaluation in Early Childhood Special Education (3)
SPED 536 Methods for Young Children with Disabilities: Motor and Adaptive Skills (3)
SPED 537 Methods for Young Children with Multiple Disabilities: Sensory Impairments (3)

6. Concurrent with or the semester before SPED 578 Fieldwork in ECSE: Infant/Toddler

SPED 538 Early Intervention Practices (3)
SPED 578 Fieldwork in ECSE: Infant/Toddler (3)
SPED 580EC Advanced Specialist Fieldwork and Seminar in Early Childhood Special Education (9)

7. Other Program Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development or 12 units in approved Child and Adolescent Development or Early Childhood curriculum coursework.
2. Knowledge of U.S. Constitution (course or exam).
3. CPR certification—infant, child, adult (online CPR training is not acceptable).
4. 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 Early Childhood Special Education (42 units)

1. Admission Requirements

Must meet admission requirements as described in the Credential section. A sample program schedule is listed below. Consultation with an advisor is highly recommended.

2. 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).

3. First Semester Coursework

SPED 431 Atypical Development in Young Children with Disabilities (3)*
SPED 500 Communication and Early Literacy Development of Young Children with Disabilities (3)*
SPED 535 Collaboration with Families in Early Childhood Special Education (3)

*May be taken prior to admission.

4. Second Semester Coursework

SPED 402 Promoting and Supporting a Positive and Inclusive School Climate (3)*
SPED 404 Teaching Diverse Learners with Social-Communication Disabilities, Including Autism (3)*
SPED 506ECA Early Childhood Special Education Internship Field Experience (3)
SPED 532 ECSE Curriculum and Instruction (3)*

*May be taken prior to admission.

5. Third Semester Coursework

SPED 506ECB Early Childhood Special Education Internship Field Experience (3)
SPED 520EC Assessment and Evaluation in Early Childhood Special Education (3)
SPED 536 Methods for Young Children with Disabilities: Motor and Adaptive Skills (3)

6. Other Requirements Prior to SPED 506ECC (Fourth Semester)

1. CPR certification—infant, child, adult (online CPR training is not acceptable).
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).

7. Fourth Semester Coursework

SPED 506ECC Early Childhood Special Education Internship Field Experience (3)
SPED 537 Methods for Young Children with Multiple Disabilities: Sensory Impairments (3)
SPED 538 Early Intervention Practices (3)

8. Second Summer Coursework