Education Specialist Teaching Credential: Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Level I

The program prepares candidates to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in self-contained special education and general education classrooms. The program specifically prepares candidates for the diversity of languages and cultures often encountered in California’s public school classrooms. The program prepares candidates to address the needs of students who speak English as a native language and/or as a second language in the elementary or secondary school setting. An underlying principle of the program is the belief that all children (regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, ability or economic status) are capable of learning. Emphasis is placed on the K- Age 22 student actively engaged in his/her learning.

This is a post baccalaureate program that has two levels. Level I  prepares candidates for a Preliminary Credential. After the Level I credential is issued, Level II program is completed while working in a special education setting and requires the collaboration of the university preparation program and the candidate’s employing school district. Successful completion of the Level II program will result in the candidate’s eligibility for a Professional Level II Credential. Two years of successful teaching experience in a special education teaching assignment, while holding the Level I Credential, is also required for Level II completion. The Level II program must be completed within five years of completion of Level I.

PLEASE NOTE: The Education Specialist program only admits in the Fall Semester, there are no admissions in Spring. If students have a semester they are trying to fill we recommend they take Health 322 and possibly an independent study to explore the field of special education. We also recommend that they look into work in the field as a para-educator or other related job.

Careers

The Education Specialist Program prepares candidates to complete the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing standards for the preparation of teachers of students with mild and moderate disabilities from Kindergarten to age 22.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students prepared to teach children with mild to moderate disabilities from kindergarten to age 21
• Students prepared to teach in self-contained special and general education
• Students prepared to teach children with English as first or second language
• Students prepared for diversity of languages and cultures in and among children and families
• Students can meet the diverse needs of all students and those with special needs

Prerequisite Courses in Education (12 units)

If taken at CSU Channel Islands, the course must be completed within seven (7) years prior to beginning the program with a grade of “C” or better. If an equivalent course at another college or university has been taken, it must have been completed within five (5) years prior to beginning the program.

Students have multiple options for completing prerequisites. Courses may be taken at the undergraduate level leading to a CSUCI Bachelor’s degree. Students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree may be admitted to Prerequisite Education status. Applications for Prerequisite Education status are also accepted during the final term of Bachelor’s degree completion. Financial Aid may be available to admitted Prerequisite students who are otherwise eligible, for up to one year, to complete prerequisite courses. Prospective students also have the option to take prerequisite courses through Extended Education (Open University) on a space available basis. Tuition is self-funded.

ENGL 475 Language in Social Context (3)
EDUC 510 Learning theory and development applied in multicultural education contexts (3)
EDUC 512 Equity, Diversity and Foundations of Schooling (3)
SPED 345 Individuals with Disabilities in Society (3)

Beginning in Fall 2009 EDUC 520 and EDUC 521 will be required for all pre-credential students. Beginning 2010 all Fully admitted Credential Students must have completed EDUC 520 and EDUC 521. Students seeking to become an intern in Special Education will be required to take EDUC 520/521 and will not be granted an intern permit without completion of this course.

Requirements for the Education Specialist Level I Teaching Credential (38 units):

First Semester (16 units)
EDMS 522 Literacy I Multicultural/Multilingual (4)
EDMS 526 Modern Methods in Mathematics Teaching (4)
SPED 541 Foundations of Special Education (2)
SPED 544 Inclusionary Teaching Methods (2)
SPED 570 Student teaching in Special Education I (3)
SPED 571 Student Teaching Seminar (1)

Second Semester (20 units)
SPED 560 Access to Learning: A Focus on Individual Differences (2)
SPED 542 Managing Learning Environments (3)
SPED 543 Educating Diverse Learners with Mild to Moderate Disabilities (3)
SPED 545 Assessment of Students with Disabilities (3)
SPED 580 Student Teaching in Special Education II (8)
SPED 581 Student Teaching Seminar (1)

Intern Program Education Specialist Level I Credential Program (37 units)

It is highly recommended that students seeking a Special Education Mild/Moderate Level 1 Credential take EDUC 520/521 along with the other required prerequisites.  Students seeking to become an intern in Special Education prior to completing their Level 1 Credential will be required to take EDUC 520/521 and will not be granted an intern permit without completion of this course.