Mar 28, 2024  
University Catalog 2009-2011 (PRINTED) 
    
University Catalog 2009-2011 (PRINTED) [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Education Specialist Credential Programs


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California credential programs, approved by the commission on teacher credentialing (CTC), authorize the granting of special education credentials as “basic” credentials rather than as an addition to the multiple or single subject credential. the approved program at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) includes the following programs:

  • Internship Credentials in Special Education
  • Level I Education Specialist Credentials
  • Level II Education Specialist Credentials
  • Specialist Program combined with a Master of Arts Degree in Special Education

The following material provides general credential information. The student must also read the advisement material of the division of special education and counseling and consult with a faculty adviser.

NOTE: Candidates are responsible for examinations required for the credential by the state of California (e.g., CBEST, CSET, RICA) and should review the CTC website at www.ctc.ca.gov for current requirements or consult with an advisor for current policies.

Education Specialist Credential Program Areas

Early Childhood Special Education : Preparation to work with infants and young children birth – pre-K with disabilities or atrisk, and their families.

Mild/Moderate Disabilities : Preparation to teach students K-12 with mild/moderate learning disabilities, mental retardation and emotional/behavioral disabilities within the full range of placement options.

Moderate/severe Disabilities : Preparation to teach students K-12 with moderate/severe disabilities, mental retardation, emotional/behavioral disabilities, and multiple disabilities within the full range of placement options.

Physical and Health Impairments : Preparation to teach students birth – 22 years with orthopedic disabilities and other serious health impairments, traumatic brain injury, and multiple disabilities within the full range of placement options.

Visual Impairments and Blindness : Preparation to teach students birth-22 years who are blind or who have low vision within the full range of placement options.

The Division of Special Education and Counseling also offers:

The Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential:

Orientation and Mobility for the Blind : The clinical rehabilitative services credential with authorization in orientation and mobility (O&M) training prepares individuals to work with children birth – 22 years and adults who have visual impairments and blindness or other disabilities that necessitate this type of training.

Admission to Credential Programs

All students who plan to enter a program for one of the education specialist credentials must apply for admission to the charter college of education credential program. Students in upper division standing at CSULA are eligible to apply and enter the program. Credential candidates must attend a group advisement session (offered at approximately two-week intervals) prior to admission to the level I program.

(Students apply directly to the Orientation & Mobility program for admissions to the Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential and MA degree program).

Conditional Admission Requirements for Education Specialist Credential Programs

Admission requirements are based on title 5, California code of regulations, and university regulations. Requirements for conditional admission to special education credential programs include the following:

  • Complete application to the University and Charter College of Education
  • Official transcripts and letters of reference received and evaluated.
  • Verification of a certificate of clearance or valid credential from the CTC
  • A written personal history that includes a statement of professional goals and educational philosophy.
  • Verification of academic ability, as evidenced by a grade point average of at least 2.75 in last 90 quarter units.
  • Verification of having taken the CBEST. (Students who have not passed the CBEST prior to entry into the credential program must have an approved plan of remediation on file with the student services center in the Charter College of Education.)
  • Verification of negative TB test (taken within the last year) by a personal physician or at the CSULA Health Center.

Completion of Formal Admission Requirements

Students must satisfy the following criteria before they are formally admitted to the program:

  • Verification of completion of PSY 150 or equivalent.
  • Minimum C grade in COMM 150 or equivalent
  • Pass UNIV 400 , The Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE), a score of 41 or higher on the writing section of the CBEST examination, or acceptable alternative by petition.
  • Complete EDSP 300 , including all requirements listed below to receive credit in EDSP 300 .
  • Record of successful oral interview with faculty adviser and completion of program planning sheet.
  • Successful interview with the teaching credential admission committee (if applicable)
  • Successful completion of 45 hours of supervised early field experience.

Students are formally admitted to the education specialist credential program upon completion of requirements stated above.

Admission Requirements for Internship Credential Programs

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Admission to the university as a post baccalaureate student with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the last 90 quarter units of coursework.
  • Admission to the Education Specialist Credential program.
  • Passing score on CBEST.
  • Pass UNIV 400 , the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE), a score of 41 or better on the writing section of the CBEST examination, or acceptable alternative by petition.
  • Verification of completion of POLS 150  or equivalent.
  • Verification of completion of COMM 150  or equivalent.
  • Employment or offer of employment by a school district with a partnership agreement with CSULA.
  • Interview with Division of Special Education and counseling internship advisor.
  • Subject matter competency as demonstrated by an approved B.A. degree program or by CTC approved examination (E.G. CSET) and successful completion of EDSP 300  and EDSP 408  or valid preliminary or clear Multiple Subjects or Single Subjects Credential. Note: early childhood special education (ECSE) candidates are not required to take a subject matter examination; ECSE candidates demonstrate subject matter competency through completion of a child development undergraduate major or equivalent and must complete EDSP 300  and EDSP 400 .
  • Application to the CTC (through the Charter College of Education office of Student Services) for the internship credential upon completion of Option I or II (see below).

Directed Teaching Information

Directed teaching is one of the most important phases of teacher education at CSULA. Candidates are not automatically admitted to early or final directed teaching by completion of course work alone; they must fulfill the following criteria: • Formal admission to the Education Specialist Credential program.

  • Application for Directed Teaching by posted application deadline (Wednesday of second week of quarter preceding the assignment).
  • Attendance at scheduled Special Education Directed Teaching Orientation meeting during quarter preceding the assignment.
  • Subject matter competency as outlined by the CTC [i.e., demonstrated by an approved B.A. degree program or by CTC approved examination (e.g. CSET)]. Note: Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) candidates are not required to take a subject matter examination; ECSE candidates demonstrate subject matter competency through completion of a Child Development Undergraduate major or equivalent
  • A minimum B (3.0) grade point average and grades of c or higher are required in all professional education courses.
  • Verification of passing scores on all sections of CBEST.
  • Verification of negative TB test taken within one year before completion of directed teaching by a personal physician or at CSULA Health Center.

Students who meet all of the above criteria and who have completed the prerequisite course work will be approved for directed teaching.

Final Directed Teaching

In addition to the above requirements, enrollment in EDSP 489 - Demonstration of Instructional Competencies  final directed teaching requires a positive recommendation from the university supervisor from early fieldwork and approval of the credential
advisor or the division chair. candidates must also meet all residency requirements. because of the amount of time and work required for final directed teaching, students must restrict the number of additional units in their program (maximum of 4
units) and curtail their out-of-school workload for the duration of such assignments.

No credit and satisfactory progress: candidates who receive a grade of “SP” in Early Fieldwork (EDSP 407 /489  5-6 units) must enroll in EDSP 407  (12 units) for final directed teaching. Candidates who receive a grade of “NC” in early or final fieldwork (EDSP 407 /489  5-6 OR 12 units – including the learning center) will be required to repeat the experience. Candidates who repeat the early or final fieldwork experience and receive a second grade of “NC” will be exited from the education specialist credential program.

Education Specialist Credentials


Each credential area has core and specialization requirements (including fieldwork) designed specific to the area. for individuals already possessing a valid California teaching credential, please see individual advisors for program requirements.

Early Childhood Special Education


Additional admission/prerequisite requirements:

  • B.A. degree in Child Development or related field.
  • Experience with young children under five years of age.

(Prerequisite courses may be taken as part of the program if approved by the program coordinator. Criteria for approval are based on evaluation of previous coursework and professional experience in Early Childhood programs.)

Level I (44 units)


Level II (13 units)


Additional Core Requirments:

CPR Required

Professional Development Activities (to be developed in consultation with University Advisor and School District)

Mild/Moderate Disabilities


Level I (59-60 units)


Level II (21 units)


Moderate/Severe Disabilities


Level I (63-64 units)


Level II (21 units)


Additional Core Requirements:

CPR Required

Professional Development Activities (to be developed in consultation with university advisor and school district)

Physical and Health Impairments


Level I (59-60 units)


Level II (25 units)


Additional Core Requirements:

CPR Required

Professional Development Activities (to be developed in consultation with University advisor and School District)

Visual Impairments


Level I (62-63 units)


Additional Requirements:

CPR Required

Professional Development Activities (To be developed in consultation with university advisor and school district)

Requirements for Eligibility for the Education Specialist Internship Credential


(The Education Specialist Internship Credential is issued for a maximum of 2 years)

Option 1

Candidates who have completed the requirements for a Preliminary or Professional Multiple Subject or Single Subject credential (who have met the admission requirements listed above) may apply for an Education
Specialist Internship credential.

Option II

This option is restricted to individuals who are in cohort groups where instruction in the required courses is modified to emphasize the beginning skills that are needed by new teachers and where additional support can be provided to the intern. In this option, EDSP 300  and EDSP 408  are prerequisites for formal admission to the program and for recommendation for the internship credential.

Note 1.


All internship credential students, upon completion of prerequisite courses in either Options I or II should follow the recommended course sequence. Please find a sample sequence of required courses for internship candidates in the Education Specialist Credential Programs at: www.calstatela.edu/spedcredseq. The course sequence outlines how the Level l Education Specialist Credential can be completed in two years and the Level II credential can be completed in an additional third year.

Early Childhood Special Education Credential


Core Requirements for Preliminary (Level I) Specialist Credential


Additional Admission/Prerequisite Requirements:

  • B.A. Degree in Child Development or Related Field.
  • Experience with young children under five years of age.

(Prerequisite courses may be taken as part of the program if approved by the program coordinator. Criteria for approval are based on evaluation of previous coursework and professional experience in Early Childhood programs.)

Note:

The Early Childhood Specialist Credential Program does not utilize the core requirements of the other specialist credentials.

Education Specialist Minor courses for Education Specialist Internship Credential - Urban Learning major (45 units)


Completion of EDSP 400 and this minor and passage of CBEST qualify students to be eligible for an internship credential with verification of employment from a cooperating school district. For A Level I Education Specialist Credential, students must complete the additional credential course work in their area of specialization (i.e., Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, Physical and Health Impairments or Visual Impairments).

Students must consult a Special Education Credential advisor for specific program requirements.

Additional Internship Emphasis Requirement: Electives (8)


With approval of a Special Education Credential advisor, complete 8 units of appropriate course work in area of specialization.

The Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential: Orientation and Mobility (Visual Impairment and Blindness)


Note:


This service credential program is a professional clear credential and does not have requirements for the level I and level II authorizations, and does not utilize the core requirements of the Education Specialist Teaching
Credentials. The requirements, as shown below, provide for the professional clear credential:

Note:


Candidates must earn a grade of “B” or better in each fieldwork class (e.g., EDSP 476B ,

  and EDSP 503 ). Along with meeting all other requirements, candidates must earn a grade of “B” or better in a fieldwork experience with school-age students in order to be recommended for the Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential in O&M. Candidates who receive a grade of “C” or less in any O&M fieldwork class must complete a written plan for improvement with a faculty advisor and repeat the fieldwork course. Candidates who receive a second grade of “C” in any subsequent fieldwork class will be exited from the credential and master’s degree program.

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