Education Specialist Preliminary Credential (MMSN/ESN)

Program Length: 2 years, including Summer enrollment

This program is designed for students who desire an understanding of special education with emphasis on specialized and inclusive general education settings. Students take core credential courses in a complete range of instruction, skill development, and professional insights for working with K-12 learners, including English learners. 

This program is appropriate for students wishing to earn a Preliminary Mild/Moderate and/or Extensive Support Needs¹ Education Specialist Credential. Mild/Moderate Supports Needs education specialists provide instruction and supports in one or more of the following domains: academics, communication, gross/fine motor, social-emotional, behavioral, vocational, and learning environment access skills. Extensive Support Needs education specialists provides intensive instruction and supports in two or more of the following domains: academics, communication, gross/fine motor, social-emotional, behavioral, vocational and adaptive/daily living skills. The supports for students served in either credential area also often include health, movement, and sensory support.

All students must complete fieldwork hours in the state of California.

¹

Please note that the availability of the Extensive Support Needs program is pending approval by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing at the time of this catalog’s publishing date. Therefore, matriculation of students is contingent upon approval.

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.  Statement of purpose. Write a statement of purpose addressing the following points: your reasons for entering the teaching profession, any personal or professional experiences and/or qualifications related to your intended field of study, and your perspectives on the relevance and role of cultural competence in teaching. Your statement should be approximately 500-words in length and typewritten.
4. Two letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to objectively evaluate the candidate's potential to be a competent educator. Letters must be from individuals who can knowledgeably comment on academic skills, employment/volunteer experience, leadership potential, and professional abilities.
5. Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST or Equivalent).
6. Current TB Clearance.
7. Certificate of Clearance.

Program Requirements: optional, if available at the time of admissions.

The following items  are program requirements and may  be submitted at the time of admission:

1. CSET or proof of completion of Subject Matter Requirement (required prior to student teaching) .
2. RICA (required for Preliminary credential).

Credential Requirements

Total Program: 36 semester hours

Mild/Moderate Support Needs Core Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
EDUC 425	Language and Literacy, Multiple Subject	4
EDUC 428	Introductory Teaching Practices, Single Subject	4
EDUC 440	Intermediate Teaching Practices, Multiple Subject	4
EDUC 492	Subject Specific Pedagogy - Math and Science	4
SPED 420	Foundations of Inclusive Education	3
SPED 421	Literacy Assessment and Intervention Practicum 1	1
SPED 422	Literacy Assessment and Intervention Practicum 2	1
SPED 430	Assessment Practices and IEP Development	3
SPED 450	Inclusive Educational Systems - Law, Behavior and Case Management	3
SPED 497	Introduction to Supervised Teaching, Special Education	3
SPED 498	Advanced Directed Teaching - Mild/Moderate Support Needs	6
Total Semester Hours		36

Extensive Support Needs Core Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
EDUC 425	Language and Literacy, Multiple Subject	4
EDUC 428	Introductory Teaching Practices, Single Subject	4
EDUC 440	Intermediate Teaching Practices, Multiple Subject	4
EDUC 492	Subject Specific Pedagogy - Math and Science	4
SPED 420	Foundations of Inclusive Education	3
SPED 421	Literacy Assessment and Intervention Practicum 1	1
SPED 422	Literacy Assessment and Intervention Practicum 2	1
SPED 430	Assessment Practices and IEP Development	3
SPED 450	Inclusive Educational Systems - Law, Behavior and Case Management	3
SPED 497E	Introduction to Directed Teaching - Extensive Support Needs	3
SPED 498E	Advanced Directed Teaching - Extensive Support Needs	6
Total Semester Hours		36

Other Program Components

Student Teaching Program Prerequisites

All students must complete fieldwork hours in the state of California. Student teaching candidates must complete an application and be accepted by the faculty into the student teaching sequence with the following:

• Introductory Supervised Teaching Requirements:
  • Certificate of Clearance or equivalent fingerprint clearance
  • Demonstration of personal dispositions necessary for teaching (as outlined by the LaFetra College of Education)
  • CPR for adults, infants and children
  • Current TB clearance
  • Verification of Basic Skills Competence as defined by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
  • Successful completion of all pre-student teaching coursework as defined by a GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Speech course or verification
  • US Constitution course or passing test score
  • Health Education/Nutrition/Drug Prevention/Tobacco/Sexually Transmitted Diseases Course
  • Verification of Subject Matter Competence as defined by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
• Advanced Supervised Teaching Requirements:
  • Successful completion of all requirements for Introductory Supervised Teaching

Teacher Performance Assessments

The California Teacher Assessment Program (TPA) provides teacher candidates with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the teaching performance expectations. The TPA consists of two tasks embedded within the student teaching experience.

Enhanced Intern Credential (Education Specialist)

Candidates will be eligible for an enhanced intern credential if they have successfully maintained a 3.0 GPA, completed the US Constitution requirement, completed SPED 420 Foundations of Inclusive Education, SPED 430 Assessment Practices and IEP Development, EDUC 425 Language and Literacy, Multiple Subject, EDUC 428 Introductory Teaching Practices, Single Subject, & SPED 421 Literacy Assessment and Intervention Practicum 1, the basic skills and subject matter requirements and has a contract in a public school. All candidates must be concurrently enrolled in SPED 459 Intern Teaching, SPED 497 Introduction to Supervised Teaching, Special Education or SPED 498 Advanced Directed Teaching - Mild/Moderate Support Needs to be eligible for the intern credential.

Preliminary Credential Application Requirements

To apply for a preliminary credential with the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, candidates must have:

• Successful completion of all requirements for SPED 497 Introduction to Supervised Teaching, Special Education and SPED 498 Advanced Directed Teaching - Mild/Moderate Support Needs
• Maintained a GPA of 3.0 or better in all coursework
• Completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Completed an “Application for Credential”
• Passed culminating TPE Portfolio or Educational Specialist TPA and received credit in SPED 498 Advanced Directed Teaching - Mild/Moderate Support Needs
• Submit a Development/Induction Plan
• Passed the RICA as required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
• Must be cleared by the credential analyst for all remaining requirements
• Pass required Education Specialist Mild/Mod TPA

Clear Credential Application Requirements

To apply for a Clear Credential with the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, candidates must have completed a professional induction program through their employer within five years of the issuance date of their Preliminary Credential.