Early Childhood Special Education: Added Authorization

Program Length (Full Time): 1 Semester (16 weeks)

Program Length (Part Time): 2 Semesters (32 weeks) 

The Early Childhood Special Education Added Authorization is a 12 unit, 3 course program. Students seeking a California Early Childhood Special Education Added Authorization must have a current Specialist Education credential, preliminary or clear. This authorization is added to the current special education credential and allows the education specialist to teach children in California with special needs birth through 5 years of age, including early intervention and special education preschool settings.

The courses are online, and project/competency based. Once students are admitted to the program, students register for the courses in either the Fall or Spring semesters.  They must complete the synchronous and asynchronous components of the courses. There is fieldwork assigned with each course. Students may register for all three courses in one semester, or take the three courses in two semesters. Once all the competencies for a course have been successfully completed, the student may begin the next course, if the student has registered for the course. Grades are awarded at the end of each semester. If registering for the program over two or more semesters, the first course is SPED 555 Characteristics of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers with IFSPs and IEPs.

The Early Childhood Special Education courses are also available for those interested in taking the course sequence for professional development or as electives in a related graduate degree program. These students are not eligible for the Added Authorization until after earning a Preliminary Education Specialist credential.  All students must complete field work hours in the state of California.

Admission Requirements

1. Completed Admission Application and application fee.
2. Official transcripts from all institutions attended. A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a preferred GPA of 2.75 or above in undergraduate work and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in any graduate work.
3. A Statement of purpose. Write a statement of purpose addressing the following points: your reasons for entering the counseling profession any personal or professional experiences and/or qualifications related to your intended field of study your perspectives on the relevance and role of cultural competence in counseling Your statement should be approximately 500-words in length and typewritten.
4. Two letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to and the potential to be a competent educator. Letters must be from individuals who can knowledgeably comment s academic skills, employment/volunteer experience, leadership potential, and professional abilities.
5. Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST or Equivalent).
6. Resume.
7. Current Education Specialist credential.

Degree Requirements

Total Program: 12 semester hours

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
SPED 555	Characteristics of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers with IFSPs and IEPs	4
SPED 556	Collaborating with Families of Young Children with Special Needs	4
SPED 557	Infant/Preschool Assessment and Instruction	4
Total Semester Hours		12