Information about the Division of Special Education and Counseling

Office

King Hall C1064
Phone: (323) 343-4400
Website: Division of Special Education and Counseling 

Chair

Ya-Chih Chang
Email: ychang27@calstatela.edu
Phone: (323) 343-4400

The Faculty

Professors: Ya-Chih Chang (Chair), Cheryl Kamei-Hannan, Christina Kimm, Leila Ricci, Jennifer Symon, Michele Wallace, Lois Weinberg
Associate Professors: Michael J. Carter, Margaret D. Clark, Robin Dodds, Emily Hernandez, Jiwon Hwang, Anna Osipova, Elina Saeki
Assistant Professors:  Nicholas Casias, Kezia Gopaul-Knights, Yunzhen Huang, Michele Mahr, Bryan Thornton, Jennifer Weyman, Natalie Williams Awodeha
FERP: Heidi Paul
Emeriti: Martin G. Brodwin, Gary Best, Sherwood Best, Philip Chinn, Barbara Clark, Mary A. Falvey, Christine Givner, Diane Haager, George Hong, Nancy Hunt, Collen Jamison, Diane Klein, Holly Menzies, Pauline Mercado, David Peterson, Marcel Soriano, Kathryn Reilly, Rose-Marie Swallow, Annette Tessier, Alice Watkins, Andrea Zetlin

Overview 

The Division of Special Education and Counseling, in alignment with the College of Education’s vision and mission, offers a wide range of programs for students seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees, credentials, and certificates. The division’s primary focus is on developing professionals who have the expertise and dedication to support the academic, social, and psychological development of diverse learners in urban schools and related agencies. 

Our program offerings include a joint doctoral program in Special Education in collaboration with UCLA, master’s degrees in Special Education and Counseling, and an undergraduate program in Rehabilitation Services. These programs are designed to equip students with the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to excel in their respective fields and make a positive impact. 

Choosing the Division of Special Education and Counseling means becoming part of a community of dedicated educators, researchers, and advocates who are committed to transforming lives through education. Together, we strive to create a lasting impact in the field of special education and counseling, making a meaningful difference for learners of all backgrounds and abilities. 

For students interested in pursuing the intern pathway to complete their credential programs, Jennifer Revilla is the contact person to reach out to for any inquiries or information. 

Clincs

Thie Counseling and Assessment Clinic: operated by the Division of Special Education and Counseling, and is located in King Hall C1067. It is an instructional laboratory that provides both training for counselors and counseling services to the community. Students working toward a master’s degree or credential in counseling serve as student clinicians under direct faculty supervision.

C. Lamar Mayer Learning Center: operated by the Division of Special Education and Counseling as a Saturday enrichment center for children and youth with and without disabilities from the community. The Learning Center serves as a field experience laboratory for the special education credential candidates working toward their preliminary credentials and counselor candidates from the School-based Family Counseling program under faculty supervision. 

The Diagnostic Resource Center (DRC): located in King Hall KHC 2092A, it provides a lending service for psychological and educational assessment materials to qualified students for class and internship related activities.

Accreditation 

The credential programs at Cal State LA College of Education are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). 

Programs

• Rehabilitation Services, B.S.

• Minor in Rehabilitation Services

• Special Education, M.A.

• Counseling, M.S.

• Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education (Ph.D.)

• Undergraduate Certificate in Veteran Services

• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate for Transition Specialist
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Counseling
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Educational Therapy
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Higher Education and Career Counseling
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education Paraprofessional
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Teaching Learners with Special Needs in General Education Classrooms

• Post-Master’s Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis

• Preliminary Education Specialist Credential - Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
• Preliminary Education Specialist Credential - Extensive Support Needs (ESN)
• Preliminary Education Specialist Credential - Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN)
• Preliminary Education Specialist Credential - Visual Impairments (VI)
• Pupil Personnel Services and Child Welfare and Attendance: School Counseling
• Pupil Personnel Services and Child Welfare and Attendance: School Psychology
• The Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential: Orientation and Mobility (O&M)

Courses

• EDSP 4252 - Instructional Planning & Delivery: Students with Mild to Moderate Support Needs
• EDSP 4253 - Inclusive STEAM Education for Students with Mild to Moderate Support Needs
• EDSP 4257 - Advanced Study of Intensive Literacy Instruction: Mild to Moderate Support Needs
• EDSP 4301 - Learning Needs and Collaborative Supports: Students with Extensive Support Needs
• EDSP 4302 - Assessment and Instructional Adaptations: Students with Extensive Support Needs
• EDSP 4303 - Social Competence and Functional Skills: Students with Extensive Support Needs
• EDSP 4310 - Curriculum and Instructional Methods for Students with Moderate/Severe Disabilities
• EDSP 4455 - Fieldwork in Residency: Mild/Moderate Disabilities
• EDSP 4600 - Implications of Physical and Health Impairments
• EDSP 4620 - Understanding Physical, Health, and Multiple Disabilities
• EDSP 4630 - Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Special Education
• EDSP 4640 - Assessment and Curricular Adaptations for Students with Physical, Health, and Multiple Disabilities
• EDSP 4650 - Medical Aspects of Visual Impairments
• EDSP 4650L - Functional Low Vision Assessment
• EDSP 4651 - Academic Skills for Individuals with Visual Impairments
• EDSP 4651L - Learning Media Assessment for Students with Visual Impairments
• EDSP 4652 - Specialized Literacy Instruction for Students with Visual Impairments
• EDSP 4660 - Literary Braille Code for Individuals with Visual Impairments
• EDSP 4661 - Advanced Braille Codes for Individuals with Visual Impairments
• EDSP 4662 - Specialized Technology for Individuals with Visual Impairments
• EDSP 4670 - Low Incidence Early Childhood Special Education
• EDSP 4690 - Psychological, Sociological, and Vocational Implications of Visual Impairment and Blindness
• EDSP 4706 - Observation in Orientation and Mobility
• EDSP 4750 - Basic Travel in Orientation and Mobility for People who are Blind
• EDSP 4751 - Advanced Travel and Assistive Technology in Orientation and Mobility for Individuals who are Blind
• EDSP 4760 - Instructional Strategies, Individualized Programming and Diversity in Orientation and Mobility
• EDSP 4900 - Foundations of Special Education for Secondary Teachers in Urban Schools
• EDSP 4901 - Understanding Learners with Special Needs in Urban Secondary Classrooms
• EDSP 4902 - Supporting Learners with Special Needs in Urban Secondary Classrooms
• EDSP 4950 - Intern Supervision Seminar
• EDSP 4990 - Undergraduate Directed Study