Special Education

Authorizes the holder to conduct assessments, provide instruction and special education-related services to learners with extensive to mild support needs in kindergarten and grades 1-12, through age 22. Teacher candidates will complete course and fieldwork that will prepare them to work with learners across federal disability categories and support needs. Upon completion of the program, candidates will earn two credentials: (1) mild/moderate support needs, and (2) extensive support needs.

Candidates are provided four pathways toward a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs.

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 Samantha Toews 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 Fatmana Deniz for Intern Program advisement.
3. The Accelerated Collaborative Teacher (ACT) Residency Program is a full-time post-BA program in which candidates earn a special education mild/moderate and extensive support needs credential in one year (Fall and Spring semesters). Candidates begin in the Fall semester and progress through the program as a cohort. Contact Nancy Burstein for ACT Program advisement.
4. The Integrated Teacher Education Program is an undergraduate program in which candidates earn a B.A. and teaching credential at the same time. Candidates can enter the program as freshmen (four-year program) or as a junior (two-year program). Contact Sue Sears for more information.

A. Traditional Education Specialist Teaching Credential Program in Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs (42 units)

1. Admission Requirements

Must meet admission requirements as described in the Credential section.

2. Required Prior to SPED 403MME

SPED 400 Developmental Differences and Implications in Special Education (3)*
SPED 406 K-12 Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (3)
SPED 407 Communication, Language, and Early Literacy Development of Diverse K-12 Students with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)*
SPED 511 Assessing Diverse Learners with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)

*May be taken prior to admission.

3. Required Prior to or Concurrent with SPED 403MME

4. Required Prior to SPED 580MME—Student Teaching

SPED 403MME Early Fieldwork/Seminar in Special Education (3)
SPED 503MME Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Learners with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)

5. Other Requirements Prior to SPED 580MME—Student Teaching

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. 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.)

6. Required Prior to or Concurrent with SPED 580MME—Student Teaching

Note: Only one course may be completed concurrently with SPED 580MME.

Completion of the Individual Development Plan

**May be taken prior to admission.
***Must receive a grade of “B” or higher.

7. 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 Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs (45 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, 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.

3. First Semester

SPED 400 Developmental Differences and Implications in Special Education (3)*
SPED 402 Promoting and Supporting a Positive and Inclusive School Climate (3)*
SPED 407 Communication, Language, and Early Literacy Development of Diverse K-12 Students with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)*
SPED 506MEA Special Education Internship Field Experience (3)

*May be taken prior to admission.

4. Second Semester

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 506MEB Special Education Internship Field Experience (3)
SPED 511 Assessing Diverse Learners with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)

5. Third Semester

6. Other Requirements Prior to SPED 506MED (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. CPR certification—infant, child, adult (online CPR training is not acceptable).

7. Fourth Semester

SPED 420 Designing Equitable Learning Through Universal Design (3)
SPED 506MED Special Education Internship Field Experience (3)
SPED 545 Support Strategies for Learners with Physical and Multiple Disabilities (3)

Completion of the Individual Development Plan

C. Accelerated Collaborative Teacher (ACT) Residency Education Specialist Program in Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs (42 units)

1. Admission Requirements

Must meet admission requirements as described in the Credential section.

2. First Semester (Fall): Required with SPED 579ACT—Field Experience (21 units)

*May be taken prior to admission.

3. Required Prior to SPED 580ACT—Advanced Fieldwork

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. 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. Fingerprint clearance.
4. Approval for student teaching.

4. Second Semester (Spring): Required with SPED 580ACT—Advanced Fieldwork (21 units)

ELPS 542A Meeting the Needs of All Students in Urban Schools (2)
SPED 416 Educating Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Working with Their Families (3)
SPED 502MME Literacy Intervention for Diverse K-12 Students with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)
SPED 503MME Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Learners with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)
SPED 542B Meeting the Needs of All Students in Urban Schools (1)
SPED 545 Support Strategies for Learners with Physical and Multiple Disabilities (3)
SPED 580ACT Advanced Fieldwork with Exceptional Learners/Seminar (6) (with a grade of “B” or higher)

Completion of the Individual Development Plan

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 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).

D. Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP)

For the Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs program see the Liberal Studies section of this Catalog. Students must meet admission requirements as described in the Credential section.