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.