Bridge Authorization for Established Education Specialist Teachers

Program length: 1 semester

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing authorizes education specialist teacher education programs to offer a Bridge Authorization. This added authorization is an option for special education credential holders whose credential was issued prior to the new standards and is intended to result in these credential holders having authorizations that are equivalent in scope of the new Mild to Moderate Support Needs (authorization code MMSN) and Extensive Support Needs (authorization code ESN) authorizations. Educators who hold a credential authorizing special education instruction that was issued under older standards and does not include the autism preparation must also hold the added authorization in autism spectrum disorders to be considered equivalent. 

The La Fetra College of Education offers the Mild/Moderate to Mild/Moderate Support Needs and Moderate/Severe to Extensive Support Needs bridge programs in an accelerated format. 

The program is designed as an accelerated pathway for teachers who hold a valid preliminary or clear Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate Disabilities credential and are seeking the Mild/Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) authorization, or for teachers who hold a valid preliminary or clear Education Specialist Moderate/Severe Disabilities credential and are seeking the Extensive Support Needs (ESN) authorization.

Admission Requirements

Completed admission application and application fee.
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.
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.
Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST or Equivalent).
Current TB Clearance.
Hold a Preliminary or Clear Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Disabilities Credential or Moderate/Severe Disabilities credential including the autism authorization.

Program Requirements

3 semester hours

Course List
Code	Title	Semester Hours
SPED 498B	Advanced Supervised Teaching Mild/Moderate Support Needs Bridge	3
or
SPED 498C	Advanced Supervised Teaching ESN Bridge	3

Applications for the Bridge Authorization are submitted directly by the educator and include an application form, a processing fee, and verification that the applicant has completed the additional content specific to their credential.