Special Education

The Dual Preliminary Single Subject/Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs program allows candidates to earn the following three credentials:

1. Preliminary Single Subject Credential
2. Preliminary Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Support Needs
3. Preliminary Education Specialist Credential in Extensive Support Needs

In the Dual Program, candidates earn three credentials simultaneously in fewer units than would be required to earn these credentials separately.

Candidates who earn a Preliminary Single Subject Credential are specialists in the teaching of a subject area such as English, mathematics, or science, and they are able to work with students in diverse classroom settings. Candidates who earn a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate Support Needs and a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential in Extensive Support Needs are authorized to conduct assessments, provide instruction and special education-related services to learners across federal disability categories and with extensive to mild support needs in kindergarten and grades 1-12, through age 22.

Dual program candidates meet subject matter competency by completing an approved program specified by the subject area department or by passing all sections of the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). For information regarding admission, requirements and subject matter programs approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and subject matter examinations, see the Credential section of this Catalog. For detailed information on each approved subject matter program, see the department that offers the program (e.g., Art, English, Mathematics, Kinesiology) in this Catalog. Descriptions of Secondary Education credential program courses appear in the Secondary Education catalog section. Descriptions of Special Education credential program coursework appear in the Special Education catalog section. For other professional education courses, see listings of the department offering the course (e.g., Educational Psychology and Counseling, Health Science). The Dual Preliminary Single Subject/Education Specialist Credential in Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs Program, as described below, has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and meets the requirements of Senate Bill 2042, including an English Learner authorization.

A. Required Prior to Admission

1. Passing score on the Basic Skills Test (typically CBEST).
2. Admissions interview.
3. Valid fingerprint clearance and negative tuberculosis clearance.
4. Completion of a subject-matter program or examination (CSET) for a single subject that is Commission-approved for the Education Specialist credential.
5. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.67 or a 2.75 GPA in the last 60 units.
6. 45 hours of early field experience.
7. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

Consult the Credential Office for complete admission requirements.

B. Required Prior to or Concurrent with SPED 403MME (15 units)

EPC 420 Educational Psychology of Adolescence (3)
SED 521 Content Area Literacy and Learning in Multiethnic Secondary Schools (3)
SED 525xx Methods of Teaching Single Subjects in the Secondary School (3)*
SPED 420 Designing Equitable Learning Through Universal Design (3)
SPED 511 Assessing Diverse Learners with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)

*CTC-Approved Subject Matter Courses: SED 525A, SED 525EN, SED 525MA/L, SED 525MU, SED 525S/L, SED 525SS and SED 525WL.

C. Required Prior to or Concurrent with First Student Teaching Assignment Through SED 554/S

1. At least a 3.0 GPA in program courses and at least a 2.75 GPA in all courses taken while in the program.
2. Student teaching application (priority deadlines established).

D. Required Prior to or Concurrent with First Student Teaching Assignment Through SED 554/S (3 units)

SPED 403MME Early Field Experience/Seminar in Special Education (3)

E. Required Prior to Second Student Teaching Assignment Through SED 555/S and SPED 580MME (11 units)

SED 555/S and SPED 580MME must be taken concurrently.

SED 554/S Supervised Field Experience and Field Experience Seminar for the Single Subject Credential (3/2)
SPED 407 Communication, Language, and Early Literacy Development for K-12 Students with Disabilities (3)
SPED 503MME Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Learners with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)

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

F. Required Prior to or Concurrent with Second Student Teaching Assignment, SED 555/S and SPED 580MME (15 units)

SED 555/S and SPED 580MME must be taken concurrently.

AAS 417/AFRS 417/ARMN 417/CHS 417/ELPS 417 Equity and Diversity in Schools (3)
SPED 402 Promoting and Supporting a Positive and Inclusive School Climate (3)
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 545 Support Strategies for Learners with Physical and Multiple Disabilities (3)

G. Other Program Requirements (4 units)

HSCI 466ADO Health Issues of the Adolescent (1)
SED 514 Computers in Instruction (3)

1. Preliminary Teaching Performance Assessment (completed in SED 554/S).
2. Teaching Performance Assessment (completed in SED 555/S).
3. Individual Development Plan (IDP) (completed in SED 555/S).
4. Individual Development Plan (IDP) (completed in SPED 580)
5. Overall GPA of 2.75 since admission with GPA of 3.0 in professional education courses.
6. A grade of “C” or better in all required classes.
7. Knowledge of the U.S. Constitution (course or exam).
8. Passage of the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)

Suggested Two-Year Sequence for Full-Time Candidates

Semester 1 (15 units)

AAS 417/AFRS 417/ARMN 417/CHS 417/ELPS 417; EPC 420; SED 521; SPED 402, SPED 407

Semester 2 (15 units)

SED 514**; SPED 416, SPED 420**, SPED 502MME, SPED 511

Semester 3 (14 units)

SED 525, SED 554/S; SPED 403MME, SPED 503MME

Semester 4 (16 units)

SED 555/S; SPED 545, SPED 580MME; HSCI 466ADO***

**May also be offered during summer session.
***May also be offered during summer and winter sessions.

Contact advisor for additional sequences of courses that extend beyond two years.

Total Units Required for the Dual Credential: 60